Cattle

Archive for January, 2009

Building chicken coops can sometimes be a difficult thing to do. Especially when you’re not sure where to start or what to do. So, what I’m going to do is share with you some tips on how to build a chicken coop. That way, you will know what you should do right now to build your birds a great coop.

The tips on building chicken coops are:

1. The first thing you need to do is write down your plan. You need a blueprint of the coop you want to build. This should include the dimensions and sections of the chicken house. This will give you an idea of how much material you’re going to need. Also, make sure you build a coop big enough for your chickens. If it’s too small, your birds won’t lay eggs properly.

2. Another tip on how to build a chicken coop is to make sure you have the proper materials. This is important. If it rains a lot where you live, you’re going to need to build the coop with materials that are suited for that type of weather.

3. The third tip on build chicken coops is to make sure the coop has the right ventilation. You want to make sure the chicken coop is ventilated for the summer months. Also, you want to make sure the coop will keep the chickens warm during the winter. You can do this by properly insulating the walls of the coop.

This will protect your birds from the weather. It’ll also help protect the little chicks, too.

Matting occurs in dogs when its hair gets intertwined and locked. Usually when matting happens, the dog’s hair will collect pieces of thread, cotton and dirt as it moves around. The matting also results in the dog leaving fur and hair all over the place. This is because the hair holds tight to other fibers which results in the strands getting cut. This can be very annoying not to mention the fact that there is risk of it getting into food or children eating it. I have provided here a few tips that will help you prevent matting and where it has occurred; know how to deal with it.

The first step is to study the habits of your dog. Does it play and roll in dirt, in the grass or on carpets a lot? Does it play in water and roll in dirt or grass? Wet fur easily leads to matting and collecting a lot of dirt along the way. Alternatively, if the dog loves to lick its fur, it could also have a similar but lesser effect as water. These habits will advise how often you should wash or brush the dog.

One way that you can prevent matting is to brush and comb your dog regularly. Regular baths are also very helpful in preventing matting since in the process; a brush runs though the hair. Washing in shampoo also helps reduce oils which can clump together and attract hair strands as well. Excessive washing is discouraged since it is harmful to the dog. The good news is that you can comb and brush more often as long as this is done gently.

Brushing the dog’s coat on a daily basis is a sure way of preventing matting. This not only deals with matting but also reduces the dirt that may be accumulating. Brush frequently but brush gently. If you are too rough, you might scratch the dog. Brushing also has a massaging effect. This is quiet enjoyable for the dog as well as having emotional benefits. It is said that dog grooming leads to bonding and you will benefit from such a bond.

We have focused our discussion on activities that prevent matting. Suppose your dog already has matting, what should you do? The first line of action is to do the things recommended above. If this does not work because the hair it tightly knit, go for a “curative” approach. Clip the hair and cut out the entire portion that has mats. Attempting to use force to comb or brush will not solve the problem. Instead, the dog will feel pain which will make future grooming sessions only harder.

If the fur has matted, do not use water to soften it. This experience shows is counterproductive. Instead, start slowly by running your fingers through the fur. If it loosens, then you can move on to using a comb or brush. This is one procedure you do not want to be doing in a hurry. Work on the matted areas by dividing into sections and moving step by step.

Before you run out and adopt a new member of the family, you need to evaluate your own lifestyle to see whether you have the resources to make a happy, healthy home for both of you.

1. How much time can commit? You will have to make a conscious commitment to be with your dog every day for the rest of his or her life. If you get a puppy, remember that you’ll have to set aside time for training classes and other activities. You should never buy a dog only to relegate him to the loneliness of the backyard; dogs are social creatures and need interaction with your family. Training a puppy is critical, because it will determine how he or she behaves for the rest of his or her life.

2. Do you have medical concerns? The most common question might be about allergies. Does anyone in your household have allergies that could be aggravated by a dog or mean that you must get rid of him or her? No breed of dog is truly hypoallergenic, and people who have serious allergies may not be able to tolerate any dog at all, regardless of what you might read in an ad. Make sure to consult your doctor if you’re unsure.

3. Can you afford it? The big costs for owning a puppy are not the initial ones of just buying him or her. You must also buy all the accessories: a leash and collar, and a crate for training your puppy; regular vaccinations and inoculations; obedience classes (which can cost up to one hundred dollars!); regular veterinary visits and unexpected medical emergencies; and food, food, food! Growing puppies, especially big breeds, have BIG appetites.

4. Where will your puppy live? It’s not adequate to chain up your dog in your yard with a plastic hut and a bowl of water. Dogs need social interaction and should be a part of your family: keep him inside when you’re not home, and take him for regular, ample exercise opportunities. If you can’t do this, getting a puppy may not be for you, especially because dogs without adequate social interaction tend to bark more and are often victimized by neighborhood bullies.

5. Will your lifestyle fit? If you and your family are very active, you will want to choose a breed that is suited to this lifestyle; if you are more sedentary, the same principle applies. Collies can tolerate much more exercise than a bulldog, for example. In fact, border collies actually require daily workouts. Do your research and find a breed that will fir your lifestyle, and make sure to use several different sources. Another thing to remember is that size and energy/exercise requirements don’t always “match up”!

6. Can you groom your puppy? Dogs need hygiene, just like humans do, and some dogs (like poodles) need a LOT more than others. You should think about how much time you have to spend in a dog groomer’s office, and how much money you can spend. Remember that you’ll have to brush your dog, and keep the problem of shedding in mind.

7. What’s your motivation? Knowing why you want a dog is crucial to picking the right one. If you want a companion, or a watchdog, or anything else, do your research. Some breeds are better suited than others for certain tasks.

8. How much experience do you have? Different breeds of puppies require different amounts of attention. If you’re an experienced dog owner, this consideration might not be important, but if you’re a novice, you should probably choose a breed that is low-maintenance. Each dog, and each breed, has distinctive character traits and physical needs that you should research.

9. What’s your long term status? If you’re single, will a marriage or family change your plans? Will a move mean that you have to leave your dog? Remember that it’s not just you that will be affected – it’s your pet, too.

10. Can you take care of your senior dog? Puppies aren’t puppies forever; just like humans, they age, and they often require more work as they get older. Are you willing to devote the time, or are you just planning to get rid of your dog when he or she is no longer “fun”?

If you have thought about these and decided to get a dog, here are some criteria to keep in mind when choosing a puppy.

1. Age. Never buy a puppy that is younger than eight weeks, because they are still undergoing critical physical and psychological development. At six weeks, puppies are barely weaned; in two weeks, they learn valuable social skills with their litter-mates that will ease the transition to your home. Also, as puppies age, they can often be more receptive to obedience training. If you want to take the “rescue” route, try looking for an older dog, who can offer just as much companionship as a puppy.

2. Physical health. Check your puppy for the following problems: signs of lameness, or any discharge from facial orifices. Your puppy’s coat should be clean and shiny. His stool should be firm and he should be alert. Make sure your puppy was bred with good parents and has had all of his shots. Also, check the status of the facility where your puppy has been raised. Make sure it is clean, but not heavy with odors from artificial cleaners, and that there are no pests. Make sure your puppy and its caretakers have healthy attitudes.

3. Breeder Behavior. Know your breeder! Make sure they’re not trying to “dump” the puppy on you, and that they answer your questions completely and honestly. A responsible breeder can help you decide whether a particular breed of dog is right for you, and if they seem too eager to sell you a puppy, maybe you should look into finding a different source.

4. Temperament and Characteristics. Make sure your puppy’s breed has temperament testing, and that its temperament matches what you are looking for. Your personality should match your puppy’s, because it can be hard to make a relationship of polar opposites work.

5. Intuition. You should trust your instincts when you’re investigating a breeder: does something feel “wrong”? If so, walk away. But remember that your intuition might make you want to take the “feel-good” route of adoption. This requires a huge time commitment and may not be right for everyone.

Choosing to get a puppy is a huge, lifetime commitment. Make sure you do your research and honestly evaluate your lifestyle before taking this important step.

How do you purchase the food for your dog?  Do you feed your pet high quality, nutritious dog food?  Or do you look for a cheaper brand?

There are some ingredients that you must absolutely avoid in buying your dog’s food.

These include any wheat product such as wheat gluten or middlings, corn gluten or corn meal, or soybean meal.  All of these ingredients are used as a poor substitute for protein.

Wheat and corn are used as fillers.  They are also very hard to digest by our pets.  Corn, wheat, and soybeans are common pet allergens and should be avoided.

Artificial food coloring is in many foods.

It is used in an attempt to make the food look like fresh meat or fresh fruits and vegetables.

Unfortunately, the colorings are made from chemicals.  Scientific studies have shown that artificial colorings make hyperactive children more hyperactive.  These chemicals will impact our pets in the same way.

Chemical preservatives are widely used in pet foods.

BHT, Butylated hydroxytoleuene (BHT), also known as Butythydroxytoluene and BHA, Butylated hydroxyanisole and Ethoxyquin are used as artificial preservatives to keep the food from spoiling.

These unnatural chemicals should be avoided in our pet’s food.  Scientific studies show that they can cause serious damage to their kidneys, their liver, and other parts of their bodies.

Tocopherol is a natural source of vitamin E.  Good dog food should use this ingredient as a natural preservative.

Many pet food manufacturers put by-products in their food.

Why do they do that?  Is it because these by-products provide such good nutritional value?  I don’t think so.

By-products are a great way to keep costs down and put more profits into the pockets of the large companies that manufacture the food.  They provide a very low-quality protein for our pets.  Instead, chicken, chicken meal, lamb, fish, and fish meal should be the major source of protein for our pets.

These by-products are considered “not fit for human consumption.”  They include necks, beaks, intestines, heads, lungs, ligaments, brains, feet, and more.

Many dog food manufacturers use lower standards as far as the freshness of their food.

Some stamp their food with a “use by” date.  But that doesn’t consider the fact that the ingredients may be very old when they are put into the food.

We always hear that “we are what we eat.”  This statement is true for our pets.

Poor protein sources, artificial chemical ingredients, lack of fruits and vegetables play a major role in damaging our pets’ immune system.

They prevent our pets from having the ability to fight off free radicals.  These ingredients will negatively affect the health of our dog whether it be in allergies or serious disease.

At first your pet will show little if any effect from the inferior food.  But over time, they will show signs of allergies – scratching, ear infections, etc.  Or it could be in the form of serious disease such as urinary tract issues, kidney problems, lack of energy, and joint issues.  It will result in rising vet bills.

The bottom line is that by feeding lower quality food, we are slowly killing our beloved pet.

The good news is that it may not be too late to make a change.

You can make a change to a natural, high quality, nutritious dog food.  It will help build a strong immune system and a foundation for solid health.  It will allow your dog live a longer, healthier, and happier life.

On the other hand, don’t be fooled by labels that say, “Ultra Premium Formula,” “Highly Digestible,” “High in Anti-oxidants,” “Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids,” etc.  Don’t believe what you hear in television commercials selling dog food.

Dog beds are in different size as the dogs are different. There are suitable for small Chihuahuas which are so tiny that they can sit on your palm. There are also bed sizes for bigger dogs as Great Danes. Dog beds are designed for dog comfort and easy cleaning. Some of them are like real beds, others are like real furniture. Beds for old dogs are designed to comfort him and his aching bones and joints. Also there are different types of dog beds depending on what is your pets preferable position for sleeping- if he likes to. Stretch out or to curl up into a circle. There are dog beds which blend in with your home d?cor.

Big dogs require more consideration what dog bed to purchase. Of course everybody understands the bigger the dog is the larger bed he needs. But it is not very clear exactly how big.

To define your choice of dog bed you need to know what your dog’s size will be when he is  grown and its sleeping style- for example if he sleeps stretched out you will need bigger bed than if he is curled up in a ball.

Big dogs like Great Danes limit the available spaces to them for sleeping.They will not feel comfortably into a small bathroom. And of course it is no matter of fact that not many people want to share a bed with them.

Because of their protective instinct, big dogs prefer to sleep near the doors. If the living room is near those doors, then large dog beds which are like real furniture  are appropriate and your dog will be far from the real furniture and won’t be deprived. These types of bed are more comfortable than the round ones. They are also treated against fleas and have comfortable pillows for your dog’s head and paws. Some are even filled with memory gel and foam and your dog will feel its musculature very comfortably.