| Author | Content |
DrDoolotz
Urbandale, IA (Zone 5a)
April 6, 2009 2:48 AM Post #6370082
| I have a silkie roo named Snowball. I named him that because it fits his appearance, but also because he is a very sweet roo. He rarely crows and he likes to be held, and will come running when I go outside. Today, we had a very icky snow storm with sleet and high winds. Most of the hens and roosters stayed INSIDE the coop, or only came out for short feeding bursts, quickly returning to dry, warmer conditions. But not Snowball. He may be a few eggs short of a dozen.
He stayed outside and when I did the egg check around 4, he was wet, bedraggled, and shivering.
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DrDoolotz
Urbandale, IA (Zone 5a)
April 6, 2009 2:49 AM Post #6370088
| Wwww...wwww...wwhat are yyy...yyy...yyyou lookin' at..ttt..ttt (shiver)
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DrDoolotz
Urbandale, IA (Zone 5a)
April 6, 2009 2:50 AM Post #6370095
| Of course, you know I had to give him a warm bath.
He was pathetic, and just lay around in the sink, looking half dead.
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DrDoolotz
Urbandale, IA (Zone 5a)
April 6, 2009 2:52 AM Post #6370107
| After his warm bath, he got a warm blow-dry session.
He continued to lay around limply, looking like he might die at any moment. He also seemed to be having trouble breathing.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Catscan
Lodi
United States
April 6, 2009 2:53 AM Post #6370112
| Oh, poor baby! I just had to give up Biff, my blue splash Silkie roo because of crowing. I still want him back. Roos are the best!
Give him a hot toddy and a warm foot bath and put him to bed. |
DrDoolotz
Urbandale, IA (Zone 5a)
April 6, 2009 2:53 AM Post #6370116
| So now he was clean, dry, and utterly miserable. He hunched and ruffled a bit, and didn't behave at all normally.
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DrDoolotz
Urbandale, IA (Zone 5a)
April 6, 2009 2:55 AM Post #6370125
| So I wrapped him in a blankie and took him upstairs and made him cottage cheese (warmed) with quinoa grain and kicken' chicken supplement. He really didn't want any. He sat on my lap for a while, listless and barely moving.
I put him in a basket and set him down beside my desk while I worked on a paper. He was pretty much silent. I thought he was "on his way out" and I was concentrating on my paper, so I kind of forgot he was there.
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DrDoolotz
Urbandale, IA (Zone 5a)
April 6, 2009 2:56 AM Post #6370129
| Poor Biff, Catscan! He's pining for you!!
So then, suddenly, Snowball squawks, and nearly made me jump out of my chair.
I hurriedly offered him the cottage cheese concoction again, and he was ravenous.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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DrDoolotz
Urbandale, IA (Zone 5a)
April 6, 2009 2:58 AM Post #6370133
| He then perked up and sat on my shoulder for a while, but he kept going to sleep and falling off.
Now he is sleeping, perched on the side of the basket, beside my desk. Silly chicken. I can't put him back out there. He's in the house for the night.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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InnBetween
Newton, AL
April 6, 2009 3:07 AM Post #6370177
| Glad he's doing better. |
DrDoolotz
Urbandale, IA (Zone 5a)
April 6, 2009 3:11 AM Post #6370190
| I'm not sure if he would have been OK by morning if I had not brought him in. It would have been hard for him to warm up, being that wet, and with it being below freezing outside. I think he must have just been really cold and began to feel better when he really warmed up. |
ZZsBabiez
Lodi, CA (Zone 9b)
April 6, 2009 3:15 AM Post #6370208
| Poor Snowball.. but I was crackin up about him makin you almost jump out of your chair.. My dog has done that to me a few times..
Poor lil thing! Just had to thaw out! Such a cool thread.. :) |
Catscan
Lodi
United States
April 6, 2009 3:55 AM Post #6370352
| You'll be needin' some chicken diapers... |
Melissa_Ohio
Southwestern, OH (Zone 6b)
April 6, 2009 4:53 AM Post #6370538
| I was just thinking the same thing catscan. :) Claire, poor fellow, he's so lucky to have you!! :)
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Haystack
Ferndale, WA
April 6, 2009 5:13 AM Post #6370626
| What a story Mox: Loved the Punk Rock Spikes, LOL, He really had me worried, I wasn't sure he was going to make it. It takes time to warm up when your cold thru and thru. That gives new meaning to (Not knowing when to come in out of the rain) desn't it. I'm so happy he survived. What a bed time story. Hay |
sewincircle
Elbridge, NY (Zone 5a)
April 6, 2009 10:47 AM Post #6370999
| Oh he looked sooo miseable for awhile there. I am so glad he is doing well now. He needed that night inside. There is noway he would have brought his body temp up in below freezing weather. Poor little guy. Do you think he has learned his leason? hmmm... me hopes so! ;) |
DrDoolotz
Urbandale, IA (Zone 5a)
April 6, 2009 12:23 PM Post #6371233
| You see, the thing is, he lives in the Eglu with his girlfriend (she's a white silkie too but I haven't named her because these days, the named chickens are the ones who do special things or act in particular ways) and three young cochins. He is their "head of household" but apparently he's not living up to the task. There were only about 50 places in the yard he could have gone - his own coop, other coops, under the pigeon hutch, under the trailer, under the wheelbarrow, under the mobile coop, etc, etc that would have kept him dry. Not Snowball, he just stood out there in the middle of it all. So if he was capable of learning his lesson, he probably would have been capable of picking one of those nice dry spots. I think he's just a little bit dense, to put it nicely.
I was thinking about the chicken diaper thing. He would need a bottom end trim because I think it would get messy on a silkie. It would be sort of cool to have a house chicken. :-) |
sewincircle
Elbridge, NY (Zone 5a)
April 6, 2009 12:44 PM Post #6371308
| LOL, yes, and you could pull his top back with a rubberband. hmmmm... maybe that is why he couldnt find a dry spot. He couldnt see one with all the hair. And when it got wet...forget it...it all fell forward into his eyes even more!!! LOL |
Jayryunen
Sapello, NM (Zone 5b)
April 6, 2009 2:18 PM Post #6371726
| Do you think he might have been feeling a might poorly before the storm? Birds will hide illness until they're nearly dead... and if he usually goes into the egluu and didn't, why?
Hope he's feeling better...
Jay |
grownut
Clarkson, KY
April 6, 2009 2:55 PM Post #6371938
| Poor sweet beautiful guy. Hope Jay's wrong and he was just too busy under his poofy feathers to notice in time. |
Haystack
Ferndale, WA
April 6, 2009 3:07 PM Post #6372005
| Ya know Mox, I don't have a clue. However you sure do that shaking shiver thing real good. At first I thought maybe you were standing out there with him. LOL. Hay |
DrDoolotz
Urbandale, IA (Zone 5a)
April 6, 2009 3:15 PM Post #6372058
| You could be right Jay, that might explain the sort of raspy breathing. Maybe he was being considerate and didn't want to pass along any illnesses to his eglu-mates. He is fine this morning - he's with all the young chicks in the basement. Well, they're not the tiny ones, they're the 2-3 month old crew. Too big for him to pick on really, if he had a mind to try, but he's not aggressive, so it didn't worry me. His breathing didn't sound raspy today so I hope he's all better from whatever the issue was. |
sewincircle
Elbridge, NY (Zone 5a)
April 6, 2009 4:47 PM Post #6372517
| Maybe he was raspy because he was soooo cold. Poor baby. Now he has tasted the good life of house chicken. Look out. You will never have him outside again. Set a place at the table. hehehe |
Filaluvr
Merkel, TX
April 6, 2009 8:01 PM Post #6373478
| Anytime I ave an animal get stressed out like that I immediately give them some honey or karo syrup if they can swallow. Those carbs can help them alot and the simple sugars require little to process and be utilized. Kathy in Texas |
DrDoolotz
Urbandale, IA (Zone 5a)
April 6, 2009 8:22 PM Post #6373555
| That's a good idea Filaluvr. I should have given him some karo water like I give our sheep/goats after they give birth. I never thought of that. |
sewincircle
Elbridge, NY (Zone 5a)
April 6, 2009 8:50 PM Post #6373692
| Good to know! Thanks. Is it good for injured chickens as well? |
Filaluvr
Merkel, TX
April 6, 2009 11:13 PM Post #6374346
| My boss and vet gives it to any animal that is not suspected to be a diabetic. If you can get your hands on glucose, it can be absorbed immediately through the gums and under the tongue, they dont even have to swallow it. Simple sugars and energy are good for anything, sick, injured, newborn, just remember that they are quickly burned up and to try to get some longer lasting carbs into them, so that when they are used up the longer lasting energy sources are there to take over. If you have a weak animal, they cant eat or have the strength to even swallow sometimes. A few drops of honey, karo, wait several minutes, then offer more. got to give them time to process them so that they are strong enough to continue to eat and swallow. Too much to begin with and they can choke. I dont dilute the honey or karo, because it makes them less likely to choke initially. Kathy |
grownut
Clarkson, KY
April 6, 2009 11:20 PM Post #6374388
| Wonderful info, thanks. |
Catscan
Lodi
United States
April 7, 2009 12:18 AM Post #6374706
| Do you have a Fila Brasileiro, Kathy? |
Jayryunen
Sapello, NM (Zone 5b)
April 7, 2009 2:06 AM Post #6375354
| How can you say that in public!?
I don't know what it is, but I'm pretty sure it's scandalous.
LOL |
DrDoolotz
Urbandale, IA (Zone 5a)
April 7, 2009 2:20 AM Post #6375437
| Snowball encourages everyone to join the chicken hairdo contest, even the Fila Brasileiros.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/972374/ |
Catscan
Lodi
United States
April 7, 2009 2:22 AM Post #6375458
| You won't catch me messin with a Fila's hairdo. |
DrDoolotz
Urbandale, IA (Zone 5a)
April 7, 2009 2:26 AM Post #6375483
| Not much hair to mess with really...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fila_Brasileiro
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Jayryunen
Sapello, NM (Zone 5b)
April 7, 2009 2:44 AM Post #6375597
| A breed with marked human aggression... that's not good. =0(
Like the Dogo Canario, this is one that the drug gangs are picking up... {{{sigh}}}
=0( |
Catscan
Lodi
United States
April 7, 2009 3:01 AM Post #6375683
| My cousin's husband insisted on getting one. She's done everything she can to socialize it and it still bit a friend's hand when they reached in to take something out of the back of the car. The dog knew the woman very well...it still drew blood.
But it is a very nice dog with the family and is deferential to her elderly dog. |
Jayryunen
Sapello, NM (Zone 5b)
April 7, 2009 3:10 AM Post #6375745
| Well, at least it will take the heat off pit bulls... |
ZZsBabiez
Lodi, CA (Zone 9b)
April 7, 2009 3:19 AM Post #6375781
| I rather have a Plott Hound.. Love the loose skin face! LOL |
Jayryunen
Sapello, NM (Zone 5b)
April 7, 2009 3:35 AM Post #6375845
| Oh, hounds are great... we had a bloodhound when I was a kid, along with two shih tzus that would hang off its ears. Couldn't teach that dog a thing, but it was a wonderful dog for kids. LOL |
Filaluvr
Merkel, TX
April 7, 2009 5:06 AM Post #6376121
| Catscan, People who are not willing to learn about a breed, regardless of the type, should not get one. The Fila is one that has much misinformation surrounding it and its temperment. Sadly there are many breeders out there of filas with incorrect temperments, and they dont inform a buyer what they are getting. Some will even go so far as to say you can socialize the temperment to being more mellow. Not true in a dog with correct temperment. The fila that bit their friend was doing what filas correctly should do. The dog should have never been placed in the situation to try to determine what needed to be done. That was the dogs car and the friend was trying to 'steal' from it. This breed is not aggressive, but highly protective. There is a difference. Pit bulls are not a people aggressive breed but have been bred to be unstable by those wanting to make a quick buck. Most Chihuahuas are more people aggresive than most pit bulls, you just dont read chihuahua attacks child, because they cant do the damage any larger breed of dog can. Its physics. They assess a situation and protect what they feel most needs to be done. They are known for rounding the kids up in a group to get in front of them when faced with a stranger. NO amount of socialization will OVERCOME a correct temperment filas natural instinct to guard, anymore than you can teach a basset hound not to sniff. This breed is not for 99.999 % of the american population. I have owned the breed for 18 years now and currently own 4 of them. My dogs are well behaved, and unless you try to pet them or harass me you would never know the potential. They are NEVER allowed access to strangers, PERIOD. Unless you live with me and are considered one of the family, be you people or other species, I would not allow my dog to be uncontained around you. They are devoted to the death for those they consider family. The bond is so extreme that when I get one into rescue sometimes they refuse to eat til they die, pining for their loved ones. Once we are bonded, regardless of the filas age, it is like I raised the dog. A correct fila would die before it hurt a family member. They are the national dog of Brazil. They say "Faithful as a Fila". They have "Ojeriza", meaning hatred of strangers. I have had a Fila get in between me and my daughter when she was about to get a spanking. Stopped me in my tracks, the look in his eye as he layed his head over her. Some get upset when I tell this story, but i give my filas the right to protect my kids over all else, and he did. Amazing intelligence and judgement. I have never felt unsafe while in the presence of my filas. They just give me warning and time to grab the gun. ANY dog can be dangerous with the wrong owner. Punish them, not the dog. We should always be responsible for what they do and where they are. Kathy aka Filaluvr
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Haystack
Ferndale, WA
April 7, 2009 4:05 PM Post #6377627
|
Very interesting! I raised Doberman's for years and worked them with King County Police. Over the years I heard it all, Little to nothing (Good) was ever said about them. It bothered me a lot. My working dobies were wonderful, household pets when not working. I have never seen a bad dobie, but I have seen tons of bad owners, irresponsible, and misinformed owners. I totally agree with you Kathy and am pleased that you informed us. Haystack |
wren107
Jacksonville, FL (Zone 8b)
April 7, 2009 6:12 PM Post #6378135
| Amen I lived with two wonderful Doberman's. Am now on my third Belgian Tervuren. Haystack you probable know the short hard verity of the Belgian, the Malinois which are used as K-9 As with any dog. You should know what you are getting into. THERE ARE NO BAD DOGS JUST BAD OWNERS ---but then there is Andre the demon child-but his problem is to much mischief.LOL 
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Jayryunen
Sapello, NM (Zone 5b)
April 7, 2009 6:42 PM Post #6378242
| First I'll say I own pits, so I know something about what hysteria can do to a good breed. AND I'll say that pits are not suitable dogs for everyone... not because it's not a wonderful family dog, but because they are terriers, large terriers and an owner needs to understand that aspect of them. Just like a malinios owner needs to understand their keenness or a border collie owner needs to appreciate that breeds obsessive drive.
It's not that Fila's aren't good dogs, it's that they're working dogs with a job they take very seriously and that job includes aggression towards humans. There's a huge difference between what they've been selected and bred to do and what a 'pet' dog is and there's the rub. 90% of folks can't get that through their heads. Just like the wolf-hybrid craze... not a suitable pet. When your average Joe and Jane can't even be bothered to train their dog to heel, what makes anyone think that they'll be responsible about separating and protecting a dog like this?
Kathy clearly understands the nature and work ethic of her breed and that's grand. But others will not be so scrupulous and there are plenty of idiots out there who just want to make a buck from the latest fad breed or use an aggressive dog to boost their 'manhood'.
And I suspect we have more lawyers per capita here in the states than they do in Brazil... 20 years ago the average dog bite liability settlement was $50,000. Heaven only know what it is now... but many homeowners insurance will not cover certain breeds... pits, GS, Rotts, Dobies.
It's not that I am for or against this breed. I just see trouble on the horizon.
But it will take the heat off pit bulls. |
wren107
Jacksonville, FL (Zone 8b)
April 7, 2009 7:29 PM Post #6378414
| I think they need to change the laws, so when a dog that has been made mean and attacks a person, the owner is punished. Now the poor dog is put down and the owner gets a slap on the wrist. Until there are "teeth" in the laws this will keep on going. Also I wish they would make the newspaper write the truth-many times they label a dog a "pit" when they are not. My sister has 2 Staffies many call this a mini pitbull which they are not- those 2 will lick you to death, infact you have to worry more about being injured by their wagging tale than their teeth. |
Jayryunen
Sapello, NM (Zone 5b)
April 7, 2009 8:04 PM Post #6378584
| Staffies are recent derivations of the pit... they're called staffies because AKC won't recognize pit bulls. And that is what most pits are like, too. Goomy love muffins.
And it is true that many biting dogs labeled as pits are not.
But if wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
And making owners responsible for biting dogs would not protect the Fila... they have been bred to bite people they don't accept as family. That's their job as much as herding is wired into border collies.
What I'm curious to know... Kathy, do these dogs respond to Schutzhund training such that you can put a Bark & Hold or Off on the bite?
I'm leaving til Sunday, so I won't respond, but I would be interested in knowing how hard wired the bite is.
Blessings all,
Jay |
DrDoolotz
Urbandale, IA (Zone 5a)
April 7, 2009 8:09 PM Post #6378600
| I just have a greyhound, and he's a big ol' couch potato and he's scared of box elder bugs. And chickens, sheep, llamas, goats, and pretty much anything else on our farm. I like the breed and I like their personality (he's my 3rd) and I think they have a weird reputation as needing a lot of exercise because they are track dogs but in fact they are very, very lazy and not at all hyper so they really don't need a lot of exercise. After a 20 minute walk, he's looking at me like "Ummm...can we go home now...pleeeeezzz..."
My first greyhound was funny on her very first walk. About 15 minutes in, she lay down, and she would not take another step. I had to carry her home, about 2 minutes at a time (75 lb dog). Somebody drove by me when I was carrying her and said "So that's what it means when they say you take your dog for a walk." Every time I put her down, she just dropped to the ground and would not move. Of course, once I got her back home, she retired to her dog bed and slept for hours. I eventually got her up to about 30 minute walks, but that was pushing it. |
wren107
Jacksonville, FL (Zone 8b)
April 7, 2009 8:19 PM Post #6378637
| You are thinking of the Am Staff which is a newer breed.http://www.akc.org/breeds/american_staffordshire_terrier/
A staffie is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier which is a much older breed. And lot smaller-more like a small tank. http://www.akc.org/breeds/staffordshire_bull_terrier/ |
Catscan
Lodi
United States
April 7, 2009 8:22 PM Post #6378651
| I have 5 dogs, a 120 lb Akbash (also protective of the family and wary of strangers), an 80 lb male GSD, a 60 lb female GSD, a 45 lb Border Collie and a 20 lb Boston Terrier. Guess which one is dog aggressive and the only one to have bitten a human?
My cousin's husband is one of those who should not have a Fila...he is actually upset that it is submissive to the older family dog. Fortunately the woman who was bitten understands dogs and Filas in particular and took responsibility for being bitten.
Even in Brazil they are viewed with as much awe and respect as love. A dog bred to protect the family from wild animals and criminals on the frontier, is not a suitable choice for a suburban family neighborhood. My cousin is doing the best she can to keep everyone safe. He is a good dog in the wrong place. |
MichaelZ
Portland, OR (Zone 8a)
 April 7, 2009 8:24 PM Post #6378659
| CMoxon, I just read your posts on caring for Snowball on his very bad day and just thought I'd let you know that I am available to be adopted. Heck, I'd even pay my own airfare. :-) Z |
wren107
Jacksonville, FL (Zone 8b)
April 7, 2009 8:30 PM Post #6378696
| The Boston Terrier!!! LOL
One I went into a feed store-they had those big collars with the spikes. I told the employee there that if some one wanted a truely mean dog they should get a Chihuahua- he cracked up and said I was right.
I get really mad at a man that I once worked with-back then I had a 100 pound Dobe-he asked me how could he make his dobe puppy mean- I let him have it. He was feeding the puppy gun powder. It was too late Poor puppy died. If you want a Dobe that will died to protect up, you teach it to like people and to love you. A "mean" Dobe bites in fear. One who knows people can react intelligently when he/she needs to. My boy bite-more like nipped- twice and both times he gave the people fair warning that what they where doing was wrong. |
seedpicker_TX
(Taylor) Plano, TX (Zone 8a)
April 7, 2009 8:33 PM Post #6378706
| I didn't read the whole thread, but got far enough to read about chicken diapers.
I saw a program on PBS(public broadcasting system) and it was called the History of the chicken. It is wonderful and worth watching, or purchasing. I've loaned my copy out, but it has not returned to me.
Anyway, there is some very educational, factual stuff in it, but also many heartwarming stories of chickens and their owners.
One lady brought her frozen chicken back to life with mouth to mouth, and heart compressions, and kept it in a playpen in front of the TV so it could warm up.
Another lady had a house chicken that wore little "panties", and also swam in the pool with her.
You strike me as someone who would really enjoy it:
http://www.shoppbs.org/product/index.jsp?productId=1428832&c...
it has an absolutely perfect 5 star review. It really is great. I think I need to re-order another copy, in case mine doesn't find its way back ;0) |
seedpicker_TX
(Taylor) Plano, TX (Zone 8a)
April 7, 2009 8:42 PM Post #6378756
| I just ordered another copy, after reading the reviewers comments. They reminded me of some of the great stories.
The last story is the best :0), but I won't spoil it for you. |
DrDoolotz
Urbandale, IA (Zone 5a)
April 7, 2009 9:55 PM Post #6379106
| MichaelZ - did you get left out in the rain too?! LOL!
Seedpicker - thanks!! That looks great- I will order it! |
seedpicker_TX
(Taylor) Plano, TX (Zone 8a)
April 7, 2009 10:05 PM Post #6379159
| Let me know if you watch it.
I'd like to know what you think :0) |
