Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[Totalcolour]

I live on a 7600sq ft lot, with (old holey) chain link fence protection, cats, coons, rats, and all sorts of other visitors. I just pray for a bubble of protection on my birds and 'bits. So far so good... It does force me to be objective when it comes to the potential demise of my pets. That and I think my pet-heart is broken from my first dog who had to be put down.

She was an amazing dog. Libby was a collie/sheltie mix.



Well it's time to go check on Chubby, she went into labor this morning. I spent the morning with her. She was having contractions, grinding her teeth, and pulling her hair out (FINALLY! I thought she almost wasn't going to bother with a nest). She had a HUGE wad of fur in her mouth, golf ball sized. I didn't realize their mouths were that big. Hopefully she's a good mama.

Good Luck! and hopind she is a good Mama.

Checked mine last night - she had the most majestic nest I have ever seen. This is not Smudge's first litter, so I'm not worried, and she's a fabulous Mama.

 

[lilfarmmomma]

Right on Carolyn! For me, I usually only quarantine for a few days; more to check out the personality of the bird and look for "IMMEDIATE" issues. After that, they go in gen pop. My reasoning? I want a healthy flock and this may sound quite contrary, but, I think that by building up immune systems in our birds we are doing it better. If a flock is so sensitiveness, that birds die every time they are exposed to something, then it's going to be a very delicate breed, and not one I am interested in. I would rather that the weak die, and the healthy go on to reproduce and beget stronger babies. So far it's working. I have only lost one bird to sickness, all the others have been from predators.

Of course, each person must do as they think best. But consider this everyone. Many of us are against GMO, we look for organic crops, farm raised, local, yet we put all sorts of medicinal "STUFF" on and in our birds, in direct contradiction of how we ourselves eat.

I'm not against treating an illness or injury - in either animal or human. But I am all for raising bug resistant animals, birds, bunnies and goats.

I totally agree with you. Don't get me wrong, I am SO glad I didn't go pick up the $6 hens I found on CL, that probably would have been asking for trouble. But, I am of the belief that a lot of the reason that kids (and some adults, for that matter) have so many allergies and illness these days, is because they have not been exposed. Why would animals be any different (in most cases). That is what they feed our heads full of nowadays. When we were kids, we played in the dirt, mud, rain and Lord knows what else. We drank water from a hose and shared sodas and candy with our dirty, snotty-nosed little friends. Kids did not get sick the way they do now, because we were exposed. But, that is just my opinion. I am not anti-medication or anti-vaccinate, but as with anything else, use in moderation. With my kiddos, I try to let nature take it's course and only give medicines if they are really uncomfortable. I haven't had illness with birds yet, so...

 

[mikeyb]

Personally, I would cull a sick bird.
I also would isolate a new bird for a few days only. Then let the newbie free range with the flock. My experience is limited, but I found that the new bird, at dusk, goes back to where it was isolated and felt safe and roosted there. After a few days the newbie went into the main coop to roost with the flock. There is always some jostling and a peck or two until the "order" is re-aligned and accepted by all.

You can do all the things recommended, but what do you do about all the wild birds that come around? What about your other pets that share the same spaces?
Then again, I also believe the modern parent is wayyyyyyyyyy overly protective of their kids.

 

[VelvettFog]

Quote:
My father was a prominent public health official int he state of Washington for close to 30 years. He would agree with you 100%. While growing up - I was almost encouraged to eat dirt

 

[walady944]

Jane - you are sweet =) He will be lucky to have a home with you!

that is very nice for you todo, however, at what point does it just make sense and be kinder to put the poor guy down?

 

[mikeyb]

Quote: Follow your head, not your heart.

 

[CarolynF]

Quote:

My father was a prominent public health official int he state of Washington for close to 30 years. He would agree with you 100%. While growing up - I was almost encouraged to eat dirt

I'm so glad people are discussing this and offering alternative ideas.

As far as eating dirt.... back in the 50s the little girl next door to us had a habit of eating from the manure pile that was headed for the vegetable garden! I have an old fashioned approach to germs, too. But, that being said, my DD had a file at the pediatrician's that was awfully thick. Ever heard of an 11 year old with mono? Yep... mine did!

 

[lilfarmmomma]

Personally, I would cull a sick bird.
I also would isolate a new bird for a few days only. Then let the newbie free range with the flock. My experience is limited, but I found that the new bird, at dusk, goes back to where it was isolated and felt safe and roosted there. After a few days the newbie went into the main coop to roost with the flock. There is always some jostling and a peck or two until the "order" is re-aligned and accepted by all.

You can do all the things recommended, but what do you do about all the wild birds that come around? What about your other pets that share the same spaces?
Then again, I also believe the modern parent is wayyyyyyyyyy overly protective of their kids.

I feel the same way. On both accounts. I am protective in that I will not let mine run the streets the way we did when we were little, because the world has changed, but my 5 yo has the run of 17 acres and finds all kinds of things to get into and creepy crawlies to show off.

My father was a prominent public health official int he state of Washington for close to 30 years. He would agree with you 100%. While growing up - I was almost encouraged to eat dirt

I'm so glad people are discussing this and offering alternative ideas.

As far as eating dirt.... back in the 50s the little girl next door to us had a habit of eating from the manure pile that was headed for the vegetable garden! I have an old fashioned approach to germs, too. But, that being said, my DD had a file at the pediatrician's that was awfully thick. Ever heard of an 11 year old with mono? Yep... mine did!

OMGoodness!!

We didn't do that, but we did serve mud pies to each other on more than one occasion. And Lord knows how many times we fell face first into horse/cow manure while having wars with dead snakes in the pasture.

Wow, at 11? Yikes!! That's early. I got it my senior year in HS, 2 weeks before graduation. Thankfully, I had awesome teachers who worked out alternatives with finals or sent them home for me to do. The good days when the honor system still existed somewhat. I doubt teachers could do that now.

 

[HoneysuckleHills]

I have been waiting to hear about your friend....

She was surprised and loves her scarf, too!
Thanks for helping me surprise her.
She's one in a million, super helpful, generous, smart, and such an enabler!
(and she's probably gonna read this....

 

[pips&peeps]

She was surprised and loves her scarf, too!
Thanks for helping me surprise her.
She's one in a million, super helpful, generous, smart, and such an enabler!
(and she's probably gonna read this....

I didn't know if she could tell I was fibbing to her or not. I am pretty bad at it......