Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

Random question! I figured this is as good a place as any to ask since you've all been so helpful

Should I expect my girls to not live very long once they're done producing? Since they're all from a big hatchery and bred for production. I've read that chickens bred for production usually go downhill healthwise as they age and stop laying. But I've also read that, SLW for example can live 6-12 years. My dad would prefer to cull once they're done laying. I'm on the fence about that and would rather only cull if QOL isn't good anymore. His biggest concern is continuing to feed them ($$), but since they're going to be free range I don't think that will be much of an issue. They already prefer to forage in the garden rather than eat their feed 90% of the time

Anyway, it's not something I need to worry about for a while yet, but I want to be prepared!

Fluffy butt tax

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I figure if they have laid a crap load of eggs for me, then o can let them retire and enjoy their end days. But then I have the space for that.

I have my BIL’s three sex-link layers that are over 5 yrs old now. One is very active and looks great, one is doing ok, and Red is looking very decrepit but when there is food involved she will beat the crap out of the others to get her share.

As long as they still enjoy their food and get around ok, I let them be.

 

[SimpleJenn]

He is going to be real eye candy when he is older, do plan to keep him?

Yep he's hubby's rooster.

 

[Ponypoor]

That's good to know, thank you. So letting them go broody might prevent some reproductive issues in the long run? Will a hen break her own broodiness after a while if no chicks hatch?

As RC pointed it depends on the chicken.

Production breeds rarely go broody.

Then there are those that are always broody (silkies are known for this).

Barnyard mutts will likely go broody, my one hen was 6 weeks, and anther went 4 weeks. They both stopped on their own. I gave my silkie, 2 chicks to raise when she went broody, she is back to laying now, but the two still stick with her.

Each bird is different.

 

[Ponypoor]

Yep he's hubby's rooster.

He’s a beauty!

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

I love small dogs. Idk why so many people hate them they are just as good as any other size dog, its not their fault that some small dog owners treat them like toys and dont train them properly

I am and always will be a big dog lover. If it is under 70lbs it is a little dog in my opinion.

Now, in recent years after dealing with numerous strays going after my chickens I can say I hate a lot of dogs.

When it comes to little dogs my very strong dislike towards them does stem from their owners and letting the rats get away with murder. Their tiny and no one trains them. Their behaviors that are deemed cute would have my 113lb CeeCee confiscated and put down and me in jail. I also do not like their high pitched bark or yapping. It is like nails on a chalk board to my ears. My next door neighbor had 8, yes 8 Chihuahuas and chi mixes inside. When they get going I can hear them in my house. They are never allowed outside because they are too little so never walked either. Instead they potty on puppy pads. I cannot walk in that house very often because of the smell. CeeCee is inside, and I have cats, but my litter boxes are cleaned constantly and CeeCee is house broke so while yes there is hair floating around no matter how much I clean you do not smell pee and poop.

There have been a handful of small dogs over the years that I will say I really loved. My Granny always had Chihuahuas. Feisty was special. She was not yappy, never bit any of us grandkids and Granny trained her. My dad got a Chihuahua Sparky after feisty passed. He was a little yappy but again well trained and not a ankle biter. When dad died I thought about taking Sparky but his next favorite person was my aunt and she wanted him so I let her have him. My grandmother had a little Sheltie x Peke mix. Rusty was a good watch dog and companion for her. He was good with kids but yes I do believe he would bite a stranger if given the chance. He passed a year before she had her stroke and I am thankful for it. Over the years we have had him up here for a few nights if her power went out. Rusty hated the chickens and would try to strangle himself on his leash if he saw them trying to get at them.

19 years ago now I tried and got a little dog. I met and fell in love with a little Shih-tzu pup. I knew better but had to have her. I took her everywhere and did my best to socialize her. She had a problem, she hated children. Even my then 8 year old sister who she was around from day 1 she growled and snapped at. It was not just Sara it was all children I exposed her to. She never bit but I did not like the snapping. I kept working with her until I became pregnant with my daughter. Priorities immediately changed and I found her a home with a elderly lady who had no small grandchildren. Match made in heaven for both of them. Some told me I should have waited until after Rosie was born as she may have loved my daughter. I told them no, if she had snapped and bit Rosie she would have had a one way trip to the vets to be put down. In my mind I did the right thing and give me the big guys from then on out.

 

[notabitail]

I am and always will be a big dog lover. If it is under 70lbs it is a little dog in my opinion.

Now, in recent years after dealing with numerous strays going after my chickens I can say I hate a lot of dogs.

When it comes to little dogs my very strong dislike towards them does stem from their owners and letting the rats get away with murder. Their tiny and no one trains them. Their behaviors that are deemed cute would have my 113lb CeeCee confiscated and put down and me in jail. I also do not like their high pitched bark or yapping. It is like nails on a chalk board to my ears. My next door neighbor had 8, yes 8 Chihuahuas and chi mixes inside. When they get going I can hear them in my house. They are never allowed outside because they are too little so never walked either. Instead they potty on puppy pads. I cannot walk in that house very often because of the smell. CeeCee is inside, and I have cats, but my litter boxes are cleaned constantly and CeeCee is house broke so while yes there is hair floating around no matter how much I clean you do not smell pee and poop.

I've had problems with little dogs all the times on bike rides. I almost hit one once. I really wanted to give that owner a earful.

 

[SimpleJenn]

I did have another small dog, a miniature pinscher we got from a puppy mill (on accident)
She really wanted to be a good dog but she had too much wrong. We gave her so many chances but she started obsessing (predatory terrier behavior) when my baby was in a high chair and bit me when I went to get the baby out, so she had to go. She was adopted by an older couple and I hope she's still around and having a good time with them. I really miss her, she was beautiful and very cuddly.
She always obsessed over anything to do with birds. She...ate quite a few that weren't fast enough to clear the fence at our city house.

She was a blue/cream and had "dilute alopecia" and her belly was furry in her summer coat and naked in her winter coat.

Her feet were really deformed, like flippers. We could hardly keep her nails trimmed. Her original owners docked her way too short so she had trouble with incontinence.


Mira tax
Liara laid a long egg today

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

Random question! I figured this is as good a place as any to ask since you've all been so helpful

Should I expect my girls to not live very long once they're done producing? Since they're all from a big hatchery and bred for production. I've read that chickens bred for production usually go downhill healthwise as they age and stop laying. But I've also read that, SLW for example can live 6-12 years. My dad would prefer to cull once they're done laying. I'm on the fence about that and would rather only cull if QOL isn't good anymore. His biggest concern is continuing to feed them ($$), but since they're going to be free range I don't think that will be much of an issue. They already prefer to forage in the garden rather than eat their feed 90% of the time

Anyway, it's not something I need to worry about for a while yet, but I want to be prepared!

Fluffy butt tax

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That is a very good question and depending on who you ask you will get varied answers. Also every families needs and set ups are different so there is no 1 right or wrong answer to this question.

My personal take on this.

My flock free ranges. I do not want high production breeds, I prefer they have as long of a life as possible. Broodies are welcome even if they are a pain in my rear to break. Every girl this year has taken a few weeks to break, it is ok, that is time their bodies needed to take a break from laying even if they did not get to raise chicks. I do not keep them under lights in the winter to encourage laying either. Their bodies are designed for these breaks, they need them. If I have to hang my head in shame and buy store eggs in the winter I will. Actually i do not and go eggless if I have to but that is me.

If you free range I'm going to warn you now. Everything and I mean everything loves to eat chickens. There will be losses at some point. There is a unspoken rule that the ones taken are the ones you love the most and there is going to be heartbreak. Those older hens who no longer lay but free range. I keep them. They are the survivors and they are smart. They may not lay anymore but they have value. They teach the younger generations. They are predator savy and know how to escape.

My dearly departed Momma Hen is my best example. A stray game hen who would become the bane of my existence. Chronic broody who would disappear if not allowed to hatch and come home with chick in tow. Terrible egg layer. Terrible due to the broodiness. She would start laying. Lay for a week, then hide and start building her clutch. Once she hit about 7 to 10 eggs she would start setting. When broody and or raising chicks she would turn into a chicken keepers worst nightmare. She did not growl, she bit. She would get a beak full of tender skin and then twist drawing blood. If that did not get the message across then she came at you like a bat out of you know where, with your head and face the target. She lost the toes on one foot to a hawk and was left with a stump for a foot. That became her club and let me tell you she wielded it like one. Once her chicks hatched she was worse. You did not look, touch or get within a few feet of those babies. It was not fun making sure they had fresh water and chick feed available. You needed a suit of armor to protect yourself. She struck fear into every cat and dog in this neighborhood. My big girl CeeCee, she simply walked by her with a few day old chicks and Momma had her cornered in a dog crate beating the crap out of her. I had to save poor CeeCee as she was cowering. She raised smart chicks though. The majority of my flock fish for minnows in the creek. Momma hen taught them all this. A couple roost in the trees, again, thank you Momma Hen you bat.

Momma Hen passed from old age this spring. She was at least 11. I have cursed that hen. Called her every name under the sun and made up a few for her. I lost count the times I threatened to wring her neck. I miss her. She was useless as a layer but there will never be another like her. I do not have any of her biological chicks. But through the lessons she taught the flock she will live on for a long time after she is gone.

 

[featherhead007]

Yep he's hubby's rooster.

Every REAL man, should have his own rooster!

 

[TOMTE]

I am and always will be a big dog lover. If it is under 70lbs it is a little dog in my opinion.

Now, in recent years after dealing with numerous strays going after my chickens I can say I hate a lot of dogs.

When it comes to little dogs my very strong dislike towards them does stem from their owners and letting the rats get away with murder. Their tiny and no one trains them. Their behaviors that are deemed cute would have my 113lb CeeCee confiscated and put down and me in jail. I also do not like their high pitched bark or yapping. It is like nails on a chalk board to my ears. My next door neighbor had 8, yes 8 Chihuahuas and chi mixes inside. When they get going I can hear them in my house. They are never allowed outside because they are too little so never walked either. Instead they potty on puppy pads. I cannot walk in that house very often because of the smell. CeeCee is inside, and I have cats, but my litter boxes are cleaned constantly and CeeCee is house broke so while yes there is hair floating around no matter how much I clean you do not smell pee and poop.

There have been a handful of small dogs over the years that I will say I really loved. My Granny always had Chihuahuas. Feisty was special. She was not yappy, never bit any of us grandkids and Granny trained her. My dad got a Chihuahua Sparky after feisty passed. He was a little yappy but again well trained and not a ankle biter. When dad died I thought about taking Sparky but his next favorite person was my aunt and she wanted him so I let her have him. My grandmother had a little Sheltie x Peke mix. Rusty was a good watch dog and companion for her. He was good with kids but yes I do believe he would bite a stranger if given the chance. He passed a year before she had her stroke and I am thankful for it. Over the years we have had him up here for a few nights if her power went out. Rusty hated the chickens and would try to strangle himself on his leash if he saw them trying to get at them.

19 years ago now I tried and got a little dog. I met and fell in love with a little Shih-tzu pup. I knew better but had to have her. I took her everywhere and did my best to socialize her. She had a problem, she hated children. Even my then 8 year old sister who she was around from day 1 she growled and snapped at. It was not just Sara it was all children I exposed her to. She never bit but I did not like the snapping. I kept working with her until I became pregnant with my daughter. Priorities immediately changed and I found her a home with a elderly lady who had no small grandchildren. Match made in heaven for both of them. Some told me I should have waited until after Rosie was born as she may have loved my daughter. I told them no, if she had snapped and bit Rosie she would have had a one way trip to the vets to be put down. In my mind I did the right thing and give me the big guys from then on out.

I've known so many great small dogs and owned one for a short time (I was a teenager, my parents were getting divorced, neither wanted to keep him. I was devastated. Still angry about it to this day ). I've known very few small dogs with issues.

My boyfriend's parents (do not like them at all. Won't get into it) have 3 chihuahuas. When I lived with them I did what I could to train them. Bf's parents didn't cooperate to say the least. Refused to. The dogs have a lot of potential to be good, happy dogs but 2 of them are neurotic messes (one of them to the point where it would be merciful to have him euthanized if the parents aren't willing to change or rehome him— and they aren't). The third is truly a sweetheart, but with guarding issues. She's possessive of her person/people and certain areas like the couch and the bed. And they all howl and bark and cry the entire time bf's dad is out of the house. They pee and poop in the house, on the floor, the couch, the bed. They have potty pads but only use them half the time or less. They deserve so much better and I really tried my best to give them that while I was living there. Bf tries his best to care for them but there's only so much he can do

Fact is, it has nothing to do with the size of the dog and everything to do with 1) training 2) breeding 3) environment. Guess where the 2 with the worst neuroticism came from? The worst came from a backyard breeder with no knowledge of breeding or genetics. The other anxious dog came from an accidental pregnancy from an unspayed female dog being cared for by a woman while her son was in jail, and a stray male. The third dog is a rescue who had a good home and was loved before but couldn't be cared for by the previous owner anymore

My own small dog that I had as a young teen was given to me as a birthday present because I'd been wanting one and talking about it nonstop. He was free from my (at the time) stepdad's friend who had a bunch of dogs. Little Dog (his name) was a chihuahua mix. Here he is cuddling with our pitbull mix Stitch

He was Stitchy's mini-me. And a little rascal. Little Dog came with some of his own issues but he was a very good boy otherwise. For the first few months he pooped inside. Never peed inside, but would poop mostly in the basement. I quickly broke him of that habit just by keeping an eye on him and letting him outside when he started sniffing around in that certain "is this a good potty spot?" way dogs do. And lots of praise and treats when he went potty outside!

He started getting into things. And onto things. A couple times he jumped up onto the dogfood bin in the kitchen, and then up onto the counter, to grab a box of poptarts and bring it back into the living room to rip open and share with Stitch. So I started focusing in on Little Dog's command training specifically, and he learned no, and down, and leave it, etc. Again, with lots of praise and treats!

The key to training dogs of any size or breed is positive reenforcement! And keeping up your end of the work, too. Adjusting your human ways of thinking, to thinking like a dog. It's a joint effort!

As for Stitch, we got him from a rescue the year I turned 11 and I trained him myself from a young age. Of course I made mistakes because I was a kid, and he was still a puppy (about 10 months old when we brought him home). But he was so smart and so eager to learn and please! I taught him so many commands and tricks over the years, he was so friendly and respectful to dogs and people. He chased our indoor cats that we'd had previous to him for a time but quickly settled down and would sleep on his bed and the couch with one of them in particular. She was a funny cat and liked to chew on his nylabone

Anyways, yeah, Little Dog taught Stitch some bad habits so I had to work with both of them simultaneously. They were both star students

Any dog has the potential for behavioral issues. Unfortunately it's big dogs that are more likely to be punished for it because of their sheer size, along with certain breeds like pits and other bullies, rotties, etc.

Tangent over

You made the right decision for both your family and the dog, no doubts there