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3 Dog Family Members are Chicken Coop Predators - How to Avoid Them by Planning Your Chicken Coop

no@spam.com (Paul Easton) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:38:43 EDT

Chicken coop predators can be a headache for those raising
chickens. 3 members of the dog family make it to list of
the top chicken coop predators. Make it a point to know
what dog predators you have in your community. From here,
you can set up a plan which includes the appropriate
measures for dealing with these animals. Here are the top
three dogs that are chicken coop predators:

Coyote

As member of the dog family, coyotes are one of the most
notorious chicken coop predators and are most active
hunting for food at night time. Lately however, coyotes
have already adapted to the presence of people and have
become active even during day time especially during cooler
months. Coyotes usually prey on chickens, geese, ducks, and
other fowls. Shooting these predators can be a futile way
of preventing them from attacking back. Make sure that you
provide a trap or keep the coop coyote-proof.

Fox

Foxes are the next dog family member that is a known
predator to poultry birds. They can be highly skilled
hunters and primarily nocturnal. Like coyotes, they have
also learned recently to hunt during daylight hours. They
are very sneaky and intelligent. Foxes normally attack at
least 2 hours after sunset or 2 hours just before sunrise.
Furthermore, they carry the livestock far away for the
owner not to trace it.

Domestic Dogs

The neighborhood dogs are one of obvious predators proven
to be very destructive to your livestock. Even your own dog
can be potentially a predator if not controlled. Train your
very own pet dog not to harm your chickens.

Effective Solutions

One effective solution to deter these predators is to keep
the chickens locked in the coop. The coop should be made of
solid wood as well if you want to keep the predators
outside. Predators, however, can get tricky and can dig
into the ground so make sure that the chicken wire fencing
is also planted into the ground. Moreover, ensure that
there are no holes where these predators can get in. These
animals can enter the chicken house through the small holes
and will definitely prey on your pets once they get through
into the coop.

In planning your chicken coop, make sure you have the right
strategies to avoid these predators getting at your
chickens especially the chicks. Know them well and your
best bet is to prevent them from entering the coop by
making that chicken house predator-proof.

Bird Watching Advice

no@spam.com (Rachael Stone) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:59:50 EDT

If you haven't gone bird watching, you are in for a great
treat. There is so much to see, hear and learn while bird
watching. Discover many of the different types birds and
their behaviors. For example, watching a hummingbird
protect its territory can show another side to what seems
like a dainty little bird.

When going bird watching, you want to have the best
experience, so taking along appropriate gear as well as
timing your adventure can improve your outing. You'll also
want to know how to identify the many species of birds
while being comfortable.

Beginning Bird Watching:

For beginners, consider teaming up with professional bird
watchers. There are groups you can join, such as the
Audubon Society or American Birdwatching Association. Not
only do they offer magazines, articles and books, but they
also have a list of birds you can look for. Sometimes, they
have field trips you can go on to get some experience in
bird watching.

When and Where To See Birds:

You can see birds at different times of the day, but
certain birds have times they are more active. For example,
songbirds start singing and eating two to three hours
before sunset. Shortly after sunrise, hawks and eagles
become more active as they soar in the warmer, thermal air
currents. Owls are more active at night when they are
looking for food with their night vision, and shorebirds
feed after high tide.

Watching Birds At Feeding Time:

Having a backyard feeder, bird bath, or bird house
encourages birds to visit your yard. You can also find them
in their natural habitat, eating the foods they would
normally eat. Songbirds like seed and many bird types like
niger, millet and sunflower seeds. Peanut butter attracts a
lot of birds like cardinals, woodpeckers and nuthatches,
although they also like suet. Hummingbirds are especially
drawn to red and like sugar water in feeders. Some people
add a drop of red food coloring. Birdbaths offer birds a
place to drink water and to cool off during the summer.

Looking For Breeding Birds:

Birds breed at certain seasons and some migrate to nesting
grounds. Many birds breed in springtime or early summer in
order for their young to be old enough for fall migration.
They are harder to identify in the fall because some put on
duller colors for the migration and some put on heavier
feathering.

Spotting and Identifying Birds:

Birds are easily alarmed, so you need to move stealthily.
Basic clues to look for and listen for when identifying a
bird are: its habitat, plumage and color, behavior,
silhouette and the songs or calls it makes. Also, looking
at the beaks can give you a clue and watching what they are
doing with it. Woodpeckers have rigid beaks for chipping
wood, while hawks, eagles and owls have sharply hooked
beaks for tearing up prey. Most backyard birds like
cardinals, finches and sparrows have conical beaks while
shorebirds have long, slender bills for digging in the sand
and prying open shells.

Bird Watching Gear To Bring and Wear:

Of course, binoculars, cameras and something for taking
notes is something you need. You may want to keep track of
the time of day and activity you witnessed particular
birds. You may also want to write down characteristics of
the birds you are not familiar with so that you can look
them up later, or take along a bird identification
guidebook.

You will want to dress in dull colors so that you blend
into the surroundings. Camouflage is the thing to keep in
mind to see the most birds. Also, fabrics that rustle, snag
or squeak will scare birds off. You may need rain gear,
such as boots and warm clothing. Owls are best seen and
heard at night, so a flashlight might come in handy. You
might want to consider a hand-held recorder for songs and
chirps of birds that you don't recognize to look up later.

After Your Bird Watching Experience:

Take advantage of the time after birding to review your
notes and try to identify the birds you were unable to name
during your outing. You may want to get a tape of different
bird songs and calls to assist with identification. Using a
field guide can be extremely helpful for matching what you
saw with detailed pictures and specific characteristics.

Bird watching is a fun and relaxing hobby that doesn't take
much in the way of special equipment or extra expense, but
can provide hours of entertainment.

Training Puppy Not To Nip

no@spam.com (David Crocombe) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 11:07:39 EDT

Through play, puppies learn. The same way as all baby
creatures. When training a puppy not to nip the best way is
in the form of play. Everything is a game to a puppy.

When playing with your puppy you can teach him at the same
time. One of the first things your puppy needs to learn is
that your are the alpha dog. The most effective way of
teaching him that you are the alpha male is by gently
rolling him over onto his back when playing. This
reinforces that you are the alpha male to the puppy. Do
this as often as possible. Do it firmly, not roughly.

Puppies learn not to bite too hard from their litter mates.
But to some extent they still nip. Puppies, like babies,
love to have things to chew on in their mouth.

A pup learns SO much from their mother before 8 weeks of
age. And, ALL dogs need to be trained to not nip - they are
teething until 7 months of age, and they use their mouths
to communicate.

They have to be taught what is appropriate and what is not.

To train a puppy not to nip involves mane ways. Here are
the seven most common ways to train puppies not to nip.

These techniques are simple and effective. Any of them can
be used when training a puppy not to nip :

1) It's normal for a puppy to nip, and they grow out of it.
So one way to train a puppy not to nip is when he nips or
bites give him a little slap on the nose, then grab his
mouth and hold it shut, scold him and say no, bad dog.

This will stop him thinking it is okay to nip. You need to
make sure that you do the same thing every time you train a
puppy not to nip.

2) You can train a puppy not to nip by making a loud noise
when they do it - a loud yelp and stopping all play
normally does the trick.

When puppies are young they a mouthy/nippy and curious
about everything. Also they have not learned manners and
how to control their bites.

Some dogs grow out of this behavior when they get older but
some don't. When training puppies not to nip press down
light, but yet firmly, on its tongue and within a few weeks
this should stop. Make sure you have bones/toys for the
puppy to chew, just like a baby it is teething.

4) It's not going to completely stop. You still have to
train puppies not to nip. The bite inhabitation is teaching
them when enough is enough and to not bite hard enough to
draw blood.

Plus, to young puppies that are teething, it feels good to
bite and chew. When the puppy starts biting on you, try
yelping and turning away from the puppy.

After a few seconds, if it has left you alone, go back to
playing or petting it. The puppy should get the idea that
it's not a good thing to bite YOU or any other human.

5) Another way to train puppies not to nip is to try
teaching them that they should only chew on the
objects/toys you have provided for them. It should help to
eliminate the biting/nipping problem.

With each other nipping and playful biting are principal
ways the dogs play. How much they do that with you depends
how you want them to behave. Giving them repeated gentle
but firm admonitions about it will help them understand.

7) Another way to train puppies not to nip is when the
puppy tries and grab your arm with its teeth but not bite,
when playing. It is usually a territorial thing. Pull the
arm back, and the puppy will know it can play, while still
telling the puppy that you have seen that behavior before,
and that it is not good behavior.

There are a few techniques involved in training puppies not
to nip. Play, enforced behavior, or verbal admonitions.

However you chose to train a puppy not to nip, make sure
that you are consistent with your training. With time, and
patience, the problem will be resolved.

Dog Food: The Right Choice

no@spam.com (Gwen Schuchardt) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:05:11 EDT

This article is about how to choose the right food for your dog.

Teach your deaf dog sign language

no@spam.com (Ivan Ojounru) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:58:47 EDT

Owning a deaf dog can be both a rewarding and educating
experience. Owning a dog that has good hearing and sight
can often lead us into being a little lazy, when it comes
to establishing effective patterns of communication between
us and our pet. For the most part we struggle through with
a few voice commands and maybe the occasional hand signal,
that often change depending on the situation. Fortunately,
in a lot of situations our dogs learn to navigate their way
around our impromptu communication style and, begin to
'catch on' to what it is we want from them.

Owning a deaf dog however is a different story; many
owners of deaf dogs testify to how much their lives have
changed since their deaf dog come to live with them. Often,
deaf dog owners talk in terms of how different and, in many
cases how much better their relationship is in terms of
both communication and depth
Variation sentence 4.

A dog can be deaf due to a number of reasons; many dogs are
born deaf. This type of deafness is referred to as
Congenital Deafness, it's cause is due to a defective gene.
Other causes of deafness in dogs are usually the result of
accidents, illness or old age.

If you are thinking of sharing your life with a deaf dog,
then understanding, patience and, a willingness to adapt
will put you in good stead. Amongst the most important
things to consider are keeping your new pet safe,
developing an appropriate means of communication, and
making your home a comfortable and, secure place for your
dog to live.

Dogs that can not hear are often touch sensitive and, can
also become startled much easier than dog who have no
problems with their hearing, for example, if somebody
approaches them from behind and touches them, or if roused
from sleep. When owning a deaf dog you will need to keep
this in mind and, adapt the ways in which you approach and,
handle your dog. This is especially important for those
with young children, as children can be boisterous at times
and, a child running up and touching a dog that can not see
him or her coming could cause the dog to become nervous or
even try to bite.

To help your deaf dog adjust, try approaching him head on,
stamping your feet as you approach your dog from behind can
also be very helpful, as the vibrations will alert him. If
you have children teach them to approach your dog calmly
and to touch him gently.

If your deaf dog is over sensitive to your touch, try to
help him by giving him a tasty food treat each time you pet
him. With practice, your dog will begin to associate your
'unexpected' touch with a feeling of pleasure.

Two more important things to consider when making your home
a safe and pleasurable place for your dog are, not to leave
doors or gates open, so as your dog can escape and be left
unattended, as this could be disastrous. If your new dog is
going to be left alone for some time during the day, you
may consider it wise to train him to spend time in a dog
crate. However, do keep in mind due to your dog not being
able to hear he may become restless, or even frightened at
being left alone in his crate. Deaf dogs can also be
particularly prone to separation anxiety, so do make sure
your dog has plenty to occupy himself with during the time
he spends alone.

The biggest dangers posed to your deaf dog will be when you
are out and about, especially if you live in a town or
city, where there is a lot of traffic. Keep your dog on his
leash, at least until you are in a place where it is safe
to manage him off leash. However, it is important to do
this only when your dog is performing a consistent recall.

Working on building a way of communication that both you
and your dog are familiar with is vitally important to
sharing your life with a deaf dog. As your dog will not be
able to hear you, only hand signals will do. In fact dogs
are well ahead of us in terms of being able to read body
language. You can use hand signals taken from sign language
designed for humans, for example, British or American sign
language, or use signs from these languages that have been
adapted especially for using with dogs, or alternatively
you can design your own signs. smiling and speaking your
commands, although the dog will not hear you, will also
help to reinforce your new hand signals, however, the key
is keep your hand signals consistent and simple, so as not
to cause your dog to become confused.

When it comes down to it owning a deaf dog is not
dissimilar to owning a dog that can hear. All that is
needed is a little extra patience, understanding, love some
consistent work on your part and, you will come to develop
a relationship with your dog that is difficult to compare.