Washingtonians

[LaSombra]

I'm sorry about your dog, Ron. Sounds like a good girl.

I keep my flock in a run and they seem happy. It's 10' x 20' and 6 ft tall, so enough room, but I'll probably make it bigger this spring since I'm wanting to get more chicks...

 

[weaveagarden]

I am so sorry about your dog. Moody has that same hip type stuff at times.... So did Jasmine, his roommate until last year. They are Australian Shepherds, but I know lots of larger breed dogs do. 13 is certainly a ripe old age for a large breed dog, but it is always hard when they start to show their age.

You probably shouldn't make a decision about the chickens when you have this going on with the dog..... Maybe not the best time to do it. Also, you will be compounding the loss for you and your daughter (as well as the rest of the family). So take care in making such a big decision when you are down. And besides, we would miss you too much, so you just can't.

I know this sounds weird, but you might try putting male urine around the perimeter of the property. I have heard of people keeping animals at bay using both dog and human male urine. And if nothing else, I hope the idea of doing it puts a smile on your face.

 

[Greg Richardson]

Ron. Sorry to hear about your dog. Mine is getting up there as well.

I can not remember the name of it but I know German Shepards are known for the hip problem.

Like was already mentioned on here I'd forget about free ranging for a while unless you and your gun was out there. Your dog is in no condition to do anything now. Other animals imo can sense that.

Your dog has had a good many years at 13. I know some live longer but 13 is quite good. To me that is a blessing.

I'm thinking why not find a silver lining to the whole thing as you and your daughter make it a project to research the best dog for your situation.
Then maybe go to training school together if you have the money for that or glean what you can from utube videos and books.

 

[KMHunter]

WG- I had heard that about male urine also. I keep trying to get my boys to pee around the yard, but they won't. Ron, Just go around your field urinating like a male dog would marking his territory. Might take a lot of coffee and water though.

I am really sorry about your dog

, but I know she has had a good life with you and your family. Very well loved. You can feel good about that.

 

[Chicken Rustler]

Actually "she pee" is more effective than "he pee" for keeping critters away. It is just not as convienant to apply !

Ron I am so sorry to hear about your beloved dog. Our last dog Aussie/ Border had hip problems. I gave him glucosomine/ chondroitin and 1 baby aspirin daily to the last of his 15 wonderful years.

I agree that at this time you should not make any decisions about your flock. You should deal with your wonderful dog and just keep the chickens locked up for a while. My chickens do not get to free range. Simply because I am not set up for it yet. They must not be too unhappy we got 12/15 today.

And Ron I am going out on a limb here and talking for a lot of people but am sure they will agree. YES IF you decide to get rid of yer flock before Feb 28 ( and ya better not) we ain't gonna disown ya so ya better be at the party.
Rob

 

[KMHunter]

Quote:
Ok, I was watching Man Vs Wild with Bear Grills. And he said that male pee has testosterone and other pheramones in it and so it works and female pee doesn't. So what am I to believe?

 

[Chicken Rustler]

Quote:
Sorry KMH I don't know that is just what I have always been told.

 

[RonB]

Thanks to ALL of you for the concern for my dog. YES 13 years is a long time and she has had a very good life and been the perfect girl. BUT those 13 years are GONE and I am selfish I WANT MORE time! She was the perfect guard dog, she would hear someone come up the sidewalk and she would bark,growl, and show her teeth like she was going to tear the person apart. Once we said hi to the person and they came in, she was sitting on their feet happy as can be.. My favorite thing to do is give her a piece of steak, let her chew on it for a second then tell her to give it back to me. she will GENTLY put it back in my hand.
She has been very good around the chickens. the only time she chases one is when it gets up on the porch and gets into her dogfood. I don't know if she had a stroke or not. the vet didn't say anything about a stroke. But she has just laid around the house most of the day.. mainly out in her doghouse. She is walking a little better. but she won't eat. I took her to her favorite restaurant "McDonalds" she didn't eat one bite of her burger.

As far as peeing out in the yard, I HAVE BEEN for the last TWO WEEKS. can't remember the last time I used the bathroom

BUT SIX acres is ALOT of ground to cover for an old man

Thanks for letting me ramble everyone

On a GOOD note, 7/7 on eggs today

 

[LaSombra]

and the chick is hatched! (sorry about the yellow pics. It's dark outside and the heat lamp is the only light source out there)

Such a strong little one. Already was trying to get up and I had to be careful that it wouldn't flop off my hand while trying to take pics!

I'm so excited!!!

I think the father is my EE rooster. The biological mother is an EE so maybe we'll have another EE

 

[Nyrial]

So I'm really tired, and I'm trying to process everything..

Ron - so sorry to hear about your puppers

I know that once my indoor dogs are gone I'm not getting any more dogs, except maybe a LGD. It's too hard, I just have miniature poodles, but Sammy follows me everywhere as I do chores, greets all the chickens and pigs, and, even though he's kinda dumb, is a really sweet, good dog.

LaSombra.. What can I say but

? Soooo sweet.

Does anyone want some roosters to process? Their attitudes are getting beyond

and more like

I don't have the equipment or know how to do it, and I don't care to learn (thanks but no thanks Tailfeathers

)

Obviously you can keep the meat for doing the deed. I had a guy that was going to come take a look tonight but he never called me back or showed up. If I don't hear from him by tomorrow they're up for grabs to whoever wants something to stew for the new year. Delivery available within 20 miles of Lake Stevens.