Tag: dog

Outside!

On By CarynIn chickens

What a big day! We decided the best way to give the chicks a bigger enclosure was to line the old dog cage with chicken wire. We put pine shavings down inside and moved them in during the morning. They seem to appreciate the larger space. We rigged some scrap 2×4 together and hung it from the rafters and added metal eyes to hang the water and food jars in the new space. We had to adjust the height a bit, but it seems to work without too much swinging.

Larger space for the chicks

The chicks also had their first outside time. They seemed to enjoy running on the dirt and picking at leaves. We did another step for training our dog and had him lay down by the cage while the chicks moved around.

Our dog outside the chick enclosure

He could see them this time, but he did well not freaking out. And we protected the chicks from our outside cat, who thought she was going to get a snack!

Shake those tail feathers!

On By CarynIn chickens

During the morning health check it took me a minute to figure out what was going on; the chicks had something new on their derrière: tail feathers! And their wings are longer! I guess I know where all that feed is going. Some must be going into the chicks even though it seems like it is all on the floor.

Tail feathers!

I am also working with our dog on understanding that these chicks are family, not toys. So he has been coming out to the coop with me and staying in down position while I do the health checks. Mostly the down position, he does have to be reminded.

But Mom…

I am also giving each chick a bit of a cuddle during health checks to make them more comfortable. It seemed to work, each one settled down when I held them today. However Izzy, our inside cat, was not happy. She was not in the coop, but she can see the coop from her catio and apparently hear me cooing to the chicks, and was highly offended. She meowed, loudly, until we came out.

So you can see them shake their tail feathers, and ring the bell, here is a video.

Redeemed

On By CarynIn Wildlife

I thought perhaps we would get through another walk with Oblivious, but he redeemed himself today. Or rather, the deer gave themselves away. And I had my good camera.

Those white tails bring me joy too. So silly.

My dog doesn’t answer to “Oblivious” anyway, so it is good that he redeemed himself!

And a little “Aw” for your Saturday:

The other half of the herd was not spooked, but were watchful.

Quick Dog Water Dish

On By CarynIn Life Hack

My dog really likes to go on walks. Like he turns inside out when he figures out we are going for a walk. (I have yet to figure out how to video his freak outs, because I’m usually driving. As soon as I stop and pull out the camera, he stops, and if there is anyone else in the car, he doesn’t do the same thing. Silly dog.)

I have tried several portable water dishes, seen even more, but I always forget to grab one when we head out. I have a very timid dog, and he won’t drink from water poured out of a bottle, or out of my hands (and… ew.) After one particularly hot walk I was desperate to give him water and I happened to have a quart sized zip closed plastic bag in the car (go figure, I almost always have one of these). I folded it over into a dish and poured in water and he drank! Hurray! The bag is light and easy to carry and dries out well. Plus I’m reusing it! (I know there is a case of single use plastic water bottles in this picture. It is my emergency stash, in case I forget the reusable bottle.)

I also put together a quick video demonstrating how to fold a bag into a bowl. I hope this life hack helps you as much as it helped me!