The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[hellbender]

Like one of these, LM......

I have a 10 month old briotch coming from a breeder soon. Great property guardians. If I can't find a Caucasian Ovcharka stud to breed her with, I'll use my male Heeler. They might be smaller but still crazy-tough!

 

[ki4got]

Quote:
um... keeping varmints at bay and cleaning your cat's litterbox?

 

[ki4got]

Quote: nope. won't do a giant breed... it's bad enough losing a standard poodle at 12 to 15 years... I don't think I could stand having one only half of that time. it's going to kill me when my 28 year old horse (blind for the last 15 years) has to go.

 

[hellbender]

nope. won't do a giant breed... it's bad enough losing a standard poodle at 12 to 15 years... I don't think I could stand having one only half of that time. it's going to kill me when my 28 year old horse (blind for the last 15 years) has to go.

I try to be philosophical about it. Death is a part of life. This breed lives to a good strong 13 to 15 years and I plan to have several...either pure or mixed with my Heeler. They are pretty rare in the US and I can't see paying what I did for this female, as much or more for a male.

I will try t find a pure stud dog but the Heeler, (Little General) is just as tough, but just about one third her size. If I have to do it, I think they will be awesome pups, both in countainance as well as over all protectors of property and stock as well as be good companion dogs too.

IF I were to have to cross with the Heeler, the pups would liely be at least 100 plus pounds and some discerning breeding could quickly return some progeny to very near purebred. JMHO

 

[RedRidge]

 

 
Like one of these, LM......

I have a 10 month old briotch coming from a breeder soon.  Great property guardians.  If I can't find a Caucasian Ovcharka stud to breed her with, I'll use my male Heeler.  They might be smaller but still crazy-tough!

nope. won't do a giant breed...  it's bad enough losing a standard poodle at 12 to 15 years...  I don't think I could stand having one only half of that time.  it's going to kill me when my 28 year old horse (blind for the last 15 years) has to go.

My oldest Maremma (10 yrs old and still going strong), had both parents living and healthy until this year. Her dad was almost 15 the day he quietly went to sleep under a Walnut tree while watching over his flock of sheep. Sound, healthy, alert, and still working - albeit a little slower in that last year.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote: nope. won't do a giant breed... it's bad enough losing a standard poodle at 12 to 15 years... I don't think I could stand having one only half of that time. it's going to kill me when my 28 year old horse (blind for the last 15 years) has to go.
My oldest Maremma (10 yrs old and still going strong), had both parents living and healthy until this year. Her dad was almost 15 the day he quietly went to sleep under a Walnut tree while watching over his flock of sheep. Sound, healthy, alert, and still working - albeit a little slower in that last year.

That's the way I want to die.

 

[ki4got]

Quote: nope. won't do a giant breed... it's bad enough losing a standard poodle at 12 to 15 years... I don't think I could stand having one only half of that time. it's going to kill me when my 28 year old horse (blind for the last 15 years) has to go.
My oldest Maremma (10 yrs old and still going strong), had both parents living and healthy until this year. Her dad was almost 15 the day he quietly went to sleep under a Walnut tree while watching over his flock of sheep. Sound, healthy, alert, and still working - albeit a little slower in that last year.

That's the way I want to die.

LOL reminds me of that joke...

"I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my grandfather did. not like the passengers on the bus he was driving."

 

[CoopChick719]

I don't have a broody mom this time, but I have chick pics

I'm not partial to NN but even I caught myself saying, Awwww.

Well...
I forgot to say that I'm purchasing a money-tree sapling or 2 when I get my seeds for the spring.

I didn't see those money-tree sapling seeds in any of my seed catalogues!!

LOL reminds me of that joke...

"I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my grandfather did. not like the passengers on the bus he was driving."

Good one!

 

[gevshiba]

Quote:
Well said!! (Now what is my dog good for?)

Your heart.

 

[Jewelwing]

To protect her while she is eating bugs, slugs and looking pretty.

Haha! The thought that my dog might do that is amusing. She would watch the show and just maybe wonder if she should join in the fun or if she would get in trouble for that.

um... keeping varmints at bay and cleaning your cat's litterbox?

Nope, neither of those! We wish she would keep the varmints at bay, but she's pretty useless there. And she's not allowed in the basement (and she's afraid of stairs, so it works out just fine), which is where the litterboxes are, so she doesn't get to eat any kitty tootsie rolls either, thank heavens. Although licking her own butt while sitting on my lap is almost as gross.

To make lots of noise if anyone is intruding on your property and warn you of trouble.

That she will do, whether it's one of my son's friends visiting (all of whom she knows well), my husband working outside, or a large leaf. Life is scary.

Your heart.

Yes, that.

I do that same thing only I poke a hole in the big end w/ a pointy steak knife. Just a small hole.

Really? Before you cook it? I've never heard of that. Does it make the shell come off easier?