Washingtonians

[pettec63]

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Sorry heather but I really disagree !!! and can show why. And here is one perfect example.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/23104_im000004b.jpg

Yeah I know...my in-laws have two Aussies (these are numbers 3 & 4) but they are fat & lazy and no herding instinct. The one they lost in Feb 2010 had 0 herding instinct, too. They had to shoot one (their first one) back in 2004 because he killed all of their chickens & ducks and then 12+ goats one afternoon). Most of that was because he was bored, unsupervised and lacked any real training.

We have a blue heeler with 0 interest in the chickens. We have had him since he was about 5 weeks old--I had to bottle feed him at first.

Our Borzoi (who has since passed away)--was a sight hound. I was told he could NEVER be around small animals, cats/chickens/ducks/etc would all be dead. The breeder wanted me to do "lure coursing" with him and I refused. We had to watch him all of the time because he'd tried to make the cats run so he could chase them--but the cats quickly learned to stand their ground and claw his nose. Then he'd whine and run from them. I got him when he was 6 months old--not house-broken, never been around cats, chickens, horses, etc.

Here we are on the day I picked him up:

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/Equibling/DOGS/121305.jpg

Cash is our 1/2 Border Collie...we have had him since he was about 7 weeks old. he has an EXTREMELY high prey drive and herding instinct. With him--we had to find the balance of protection and moving the birds, without running & nipping at them (usually their heads). He's now closing in on 6 years old and he's calmed down, slowed down and doesn't mess with them as much...but I don't let my chickens out at all anymore (I have too much invested in them for the eagles, cougars, bobcats, coyotes or neighbor dogs to eat them). The ducks & geese I let out when I'm home. Cash doesn't bother them because they are so slow-moving and the geese will go after him.

I found the best thing was shock collars. I have one that's a two-dog one with multiple settings...vibration is the first step--all the way up to 100 (with 100 being the hardest shock). I got them a few months ago but that was mostly to get their attention and so far, I have not shocked either dog.

Brodee playing with one of the in-laws' Aussies:

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/Equibling/DOGS/DSCN1964.jpg

Brodee & Nelly basking by the woodstove:

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/Equibling/DOGS/BrodeeandChubs.jpg

Brodee out with the horses:

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/Equibling/DOGS/brodee_snow_4-2-10.jpg

All three dogs:

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/Equibling/DOGS/DSCN4437.jpg

Cash watching the ducks:

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/Equibling/DOGS/DSCN4438.jpg

Nice pics Rff! Congrats on the new girlie!!! Love the borzoi!! So sorry for the loss!! I like sight hounds, they are usually very nice dogs and get bad raps!!

glad you didn't listen to the breeder!!

 

[pettec63]

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[Rainwolf]

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I'm not the greatest at determining sex on chicks until they are older. but some info...
The Reds look like production red or RIR mix The don't look like buckeyes.. Buckeyes are very dark mahogany red.

I have some buckeye chick photos in my photobucket...
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd413/rainwolfbirds/Chickens/Chicks/

Also if you have room, let the EE's grow up and see what they lay. Some EE's lay really pretty eggs, some make great mama's, some make great babies, etc etc My 2 EE's are awesome layers as well as they throw some great chicks. (in link above you will see some)

I also keep my max laying hens at all times and grow the chicks to layers then if I want I swap out a layer and sell the one I don't want. But my adult layer flock never changes numbers... just hens or roosters...

Kinda like poker... always have 5 cards but can swap out the ones I don't like for new ones that may or may not work out.

Oh I have the room, but my boyfriend doesn't get it, he wants to see the money!! lol! I will keep the pullets and see what happens, I couldn't access the pic tho?? it said forbidden?? Thanks for your input RW !! much appreciated!!

Opps I forgot to take the numbers off http://photobucket.com/albums/dd413/rainwolfbirds/Chickens/Chicks/

 

[Ogress]

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My RIR is the friendliest of all my hens! She was a mean pullet at times, and right before she started to lay, ahs and my New Hampshire fought a bit, so I carried the RIR around for a few hours. No problems since! My Buff Orpingtons are my mean girls, at least when they are broody.

Did you get them from a feed store or a breeder?

Feed store in Snoqualmie, but I don't know where the feed store got them. It is a very teeny tiny feedstore, not much bigger than my chicken coop. I bought four 6 week old pullets from them (2 NH, 1RIR, 1 Australorps). None were ever afraid of people, all very nice birds. They always come running to people never from us, even as pullets! Most of my other gals did not settle down until after they reached POL. I now have 45 birds, most quite young, 17 of them are hatchery/feed store. The rest are from people I met here.

 

[pettec63]

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I LOVE my buff orpingtons!! I have barred rocks too, and I handled them all and talked sweet to them as chicks and everyone is sweet and kind! I have heard that RIR roos can be mean, and did have one as a kid that was, but don't know that the pullets are?? I know these mixed bunch I have now some we're bullies as younger chicks, but, they have all kind of grown out of it, they still run each other over now and then, but, is that just chick behavior?? I'm a newbie so I'm just learning here too, just my obsevations!!

 

[pettec63]

Quote:
Did you get them from a feed store or a breeder?

Feed store in Snoqualmie, but I don't know where the feed store got them. It is a very teeny tiny feedstore, not much bigger than my chicken coop. I bought four 6 week old pullets from them (2 NH, 1RIR, 1 Australorps). None were ever afraid of people, all very nice birds. They always come running to people never from us, even as pullets! Most of my other gals did not settle down until after they reached POL. I now have 45 birds, most quite young, 17 of them are hatchery/feed store. The rest are from people I met here.

really?? you know maybe you can answer this?? My buffs were broody at POL but since, they aren't this year?? I thought if a hen was broody, she would be broody all the time??

 

[renart]

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45!

......What do you do with all the eggs ?

 

[pettec63]

I know this sounds silly but I actually got this out of a chicken raising book, if you pick your chicks up and put them by your cheek and talk to them for just a few min a day they become tame or tamer. That's what I did with my current layers and they are pretty nice girls!!

 

[herbandteas]

I have way too many chicks that is for me right now so was thinking of selling them.
May wait another week though.


When they were in the house I did handle them every day but we put them outside in the barn. There is chicken wire over the top to keep anything from getting them when I have the door open during the day.


Thanks, Helaine

 

[renart]

Just wanted to say, that from reading all the posts since joining, I have and will continue to keep learning so so so much. You all have so much chicken experience and are so kind in sharing it all with everyone here.

I just wanted to say

THANKS!