Don't Buy Hens to Keep at Home Until You Answer These Questions

Before keeping chickens in your garden or backyard, you should consider these five questions:

1. WHICH BREED TO BUY?

Ask yourself the following 6 questions. When you have the answer, you can google "Chicken Breeds" and match your criteria to a breed of your choice.

1. Do you care if the breeds are rare/unusual?
2. Do you want birds that will rear chicks?
3. Do you want eggs of a certain colour?
4. Do you require especially docile birds?
5. How important is the rate of egg laying?
6. Do you need a breed that's hardy in winter?

2. WHAT ARE THEIR HOUSING NEEDS?

It's generally agreed that the minimum sizes for a hen coop should be 4 square feet per bird on the outside and 1 square feet for each bird .

We use an old dog kennel to keep our 6 chickens in. Having a 'proper' hen house or coop allows you more space and options for perches and nest boxes. You might consider using part of your garage as a hen house.

We know someone who made a run alongside their garage, and a hole in the garage wall. They housed the chickens inside a hutch in the garage, and let their chickens out into the run each day.

The only problem is with static housing is that the ground it sits on will get destroyed quite quickly and quite completely. The grass and greenery will be scratched away, and the remaining earth will be a mud bath in the wet, and a dust bowl in the dry. Because there is no greenery, more food is required for the hens.

Moveable housing usually means an 'ark'. (type in 'arc' to google to see pictures of what an arc looks like.) The joy of the ark is that you can move it around the garden and give your chickens fresh grass to eat and scratch every day or so.

The downside is that no matter where you put your ark on your lawn, the chickens will scratch up and soil that area. This will take a few days, to recover (or weeks depending on how often you move the ark).

3. HOW WILL I FEED THEM?

A fully grown chicken will eat about 120grams of layers pellets a day. You can vary the meal with scraps from the kitchen. Things that chickens eat include pasta, cake, rice, sweetcorn and lettuce.

In the UK, DEFRA (the government department for agriculture) has now issued laws to ban feeding table scraps to chickens. For large flocks, where the scraps come from restaurants or commercial premises, this makes sense. For a few hens you're your garden being fed with your own scraps, it is nonsense. However, they passed laws banning it. Most people just carry on as before ....

Another important factor in your bird's diet is grit. Chickens hold a certain amount of grit in their gizzards, (an organ that grinds up any feed they've eaten making it easier for digestion.)

If your chickens range about your garden they should find the grit they need from their surroundings. The layers mash also contains some grit but if you find the shells are thin or soft, then you can buy grit from some pet shops or country stores.

4. HAVE I GOT ENOUGH SPACE FOR THEM? WILL THEY BE ATTACKED BY PREDATORS?

Most chickens which are raised in a garden or back yard are allowed to free range, or have a run that is frequently moved so that they get fresh ground to scratch.

Your choice is to let your hens have the complete run of your garden, or construct a 'run', covered in chicken wire to restrict them to about 12 yards by 3 yards at a time.

When we allowed our 12 hens to have complete freedom of our back yard, a fox would take one every 2 months or so. It seemed like a fair trade-off. Complete freedom, with a 1/24 chance of being eaten. The hens seemed happy and unworried by this.

But then the fox began to come more and more frequently. Now they live behind an electric netting fence. Their movements are much more restricted, but we haven't lost one in the 18 months that we've had the netting.

You will have to make your own decision on safety versus complete freedom.

5. DO I NEED A COCKEREL?

No. (The short answer)

If you have a flock of 5 or more hens it helps to have a cockerel to boss the pecking order, keep the hens happy, and strut about the place like he owns it.

However, cockerels can be noisy and aggressive. They crow (very) early in the morning, which upsets the neighbours, and some (not all) can become aggressive and attack you. They attack by running at you, leaping in the air with a great flapping of wings, and hitting you with their feet. The attacks can be noisy and frightening, but are harmless to adults. Small children can be hurt.

Hens will lay the same number of eggs each month, whether you have a cockerel in the flock or not. If you are keen to have a cockerel, we recommend getting 3 to 5 hens without a cockerel at first - then when you have had them for about six months, add one to your flock.

Try him for a month. If he doesn't fit in, sell him on .... Or kill him and eat him!

So there are five questions to ask before getting your first hens. Keeping chickens at home can be one of the most enjoyable things you can do this year. Just take it SLOWLY. Buy two or three at first. If you don't like having them after six weeks or so, sell them on or give them to a new home.

I bet that you'll LOVE having them live with you. They are fun, friendly, and pleased to see you. Once you are happy with a few .... Get some more!

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Pet Games Online

Would you be interested in finding out what your puppy or kitten would look like in winter clothing? Perhaps you would like to see your pet as a superhero? Online players of pet games such as Dress My Pet get a chance to do just that. Pet games online are an innovative type of free flash game available in the web. Although flash games available to play free online have been around for quite a while, traditional titles related to fighting, racing and shooting have dominated the online game scene. However, as the development of multimedia applications using flash become cheaper and faster to make, more and more websites are willing to take their chances with different titles. Pet games online are a definite success story. These games have been accepted so well, online pet games now need to be sorted into categories in order to account for them all. The genre features many themes, such as vet games, pet care centers and fashion salons. One game title in particular stands out from the rest called Dress My Pet.

Dress My Pet is an online pet game which falls in the fashion salon category. A very popular theme in which players spend their time trying out different types of clothing on the animals. Sponsored by Games2Win, the game consist of washing and drying your pet, dragging and dropping clothing on him, while using at least one item from each category in order to move on to the next level. This game features really easy to use controls. The player will be given choices by means of a sign, which reads the action to be taken. For example, washing the dog simply requires the user to click on the sign located at the bottom of the screen, which reads Wash. After washing and drying your pet, the game will take you to a dress up screen. In order to complete the level, the player must use at least one item from the different groups offered. Among the group categories, there are wigs, earrings, hats and other colorful options. Once the player has finished, he will be presented with the score board, and on to the next level.

Pets will vary from cats and dogs, with a number of changing options to dress him with. There is not much more to this game, other than having a good time. The use of controls and storyline are very, very simple, which makes this activity suitable for all ages. It is available free at many arcade game websites in the web. A simple search in Google for Dress My pet should return several website options where you can play this game. In an age where entertainment for children are few and far between, Dress My Pet is an excellent pet game online where younger kids can spend countless hours of plain fun. It is also a great choice for a group activity, where young ones can develop some social skills with other friends and family as well.

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Keep Squirrels Out Of Your Trash Cans Using The Following Techniques

Squirrels like getting into trash cans because there is food inside along with a variety of tempting smells. For many this can become quite a bit of a problem. The more often this happens, the more likely it is that squirrels will keep coming to your yard. This can become a problem as they will get their food from the trash and mess up your garden and bird feeders or even get in your home eventually.

The most common issue that people face with squirrels in the trash cans is that they will climb up into them and start eating. Simply get some lids that seal. Put rocks on top of them to help keep them sealed better.

Some squirrels are rather aggressive with your trash. They can actually chew through your plastic garbage bins at time to get in. You need to get some more durable plastic or even invest in metal trash bins. This will prevent the squirrels from getting in.

Clean up the trash around your trash cans. This will help make sure that you don't have tons of extra smells around the area that will be attracting squirrels and other pests.

Use squirrel repellents around your trash cans. The two most effective are the spicy repellents or the predator repellents. Both of these are fairly effective against squirrels. There is so much area for squirrels to roam that any repellent typically will keep the squirrels away.

Consider that you might be dealing with larger pets than just squirrels. There are raccoons and even deer that can be in the city that get into trash. You might have to take some preventative measures against these types of pests if you want your trash to be left alone. There are water based spray systems that will scare and keep these types of pests away from your yard that are effective against these types of pests.

Manishshah, Manish Shah, Retailer, Indian Retailer, RetailerTrends, Indian Retail News

Best Reasons To Buy Dog Insurance

Are you looking for reasons to purchase pet insurance? For instance, German shepherd dogs are unfortunately more likely to develop hip dysphasia and many toy dog breeds are often diagnosed with heart disorders. The problem most people have is they do no have access to large amount of money at short notice.

You don't know when your dog or cat will get out of its yard or escape its leash and get attacked by another animal. Later that night you notice your dog is having a hard time eating, what could be wrong? This scene is all to familiar.

Most people are familiar with healthcare insurance for themselves and their family but what about their pets? Dogs are wonderful pets and if you happen to own one you will find that spending time with them is one of things which you would love to indulge in. This can lead to one of the most common things that precipitate dog's visits to veterinarian's emergency rooms - the ingestion of foreign objects.

If you buy dog insurance, you could be saving your dogs life and saving you money in the process. Why buy dog insurance? This works similar to health care insurance for humans. Some people even have to let their dogs be put down because of not being able to afford a life saving operation.

But what distinguishes a good dog insurance policy from a bad one? Before You Buy Pet Insurance…Let's review some of the questions you need to ask before you buy a pet health insurance. Standard things such as boosters, worming and neutering aren't covered but it's a very lucky owner who only has to contend with these things throughout their pet's life! Pet medicine has evolved.

The premium for plans that reimburse based on UCR are usually a little higher but many pet owners appreciate the higher payouts in return. Our dogs are now routinely treated for diseases such as diabetes and cancer and it can be expensive.

In North America dog insurance remains a relatively little used type of insurance. However, the cost of such treatments also has a high cost association which may not always be in the affordable range of every pet owner.

Protect them and save yourself from having to make a decision about your dog health based on your finances and buy dog insurance Therefore, show your love and care towards your dog through dog insurance. It is highly advisable to buy insurance policies for your dog.

If your dog attacks someone the liability costs can be very expensive so it is worth considering getting liability cover in your cheap dog insurance policy. Pets are an important part of our lives and members of our family.

After all, it has been proven that after a stressful day at work, the best way to unwind is to have a loving pet welcome you home each day. Encourage him to eat right, and give him lots of exercise by going on long walks together or playing in the back yard for a couple of hours a day.

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How To Decide On Your Dogs Type Of Dog Bed

How to decide on your dog's type of dog bed is not as easy as it may sound. Dogs crave a soft, warm, and comfortable place to sleep just like their human friends. There are some general tips to think about when deciding which bed would best suit a particular dog.

General tips that a person should follow when buying a dog bed include considering the size and health needs of a specific dog; keeping the dog's age in mind; thinking about the kind of bed a dog would be most comfortable in; asking a salesperson what kind of material the bed is filled with; checking to see if the cover of the bed is washable; trying to match the bed with the colors of the room that it will be in; and seeking the best price possible.

There is no lack of beds to choose from. In fact, there are many different types and styles of dog beds available, including dog beds that are basic, orthopedic, couch-style, raised, or kennel-style. Each of these different types will be discussed in detail.

Basic dog beds are the most common types available, and they are shaped like standard-sized pillows. They come in square, round, or rectangular shapes, though square and rectangular are the most popular types. These basic beds are stuffed with either foam or cotton that provides extra cushion. Basic dog beds are typically not expensive and can be found at most any pet supplies retailer. It is best to purchase a basic bed that is twice the size of the dog that will be using it. This allows the dog to feel comfortable and have as much room as possible on the bed. It is also best for the basic bed to have a removable cover for easy clean up.

Orthopedic dog beds are another type of dog bed. These beds are especially designed for older dogs with stiff joints. They contain more cushion in them and are on average a lot thicker than the basic dog beds described previously. Some orthopedic dog beds offer memory foam technology for enhanced comfort and are typically covered in fleece or a like material. These beds are excellent for dogs that have hip problems, and they also come with covers that are removable.

Couch-style beds for dogs are another kind of dog bed. These beds are characterized by their lushness, and they look great. They are based on the design of a living room sofa. Couch-style beds are very comfortable and provide support for a dog regardless of its age. While this specific type of dog bed is typically tailored to smaller breeds, there are some pet retailers which will carry a variety (albeit small) of these beds for medium and large-sized dogs. These beds usually do not come with removable covers, though slip covers can be purchased to go over them.

Raised beds are yet another type of dog bed. In fact, these particular beds are becoming increasingly popular, particularly in shelters and dog kennels. They come in a variety of styles and can be utilized in combination with a pillow or by themselves. Raised dog beds are nice for canines who have a hard time getting up off of the floor or who live in houses that are drafty. In shelters, they aid pets who live in a confined area to stay off of the floor.

Last but not least, kennel-style beds for dogs are available. These beds are essentially portable crates. They are used when traveling as well as to provide a place for a dog to stay while its owner is not home. The floors of these beds are plastic, and they are not comfortable for a dog to stay on for very long. To this end, there are specialized kennel-style beds that are made to fit the size of the crate or kennel to provide a dog with comfort when confined.

In terms of where to find dog beds, pet mail order catalog businesses; traditional pet retailers; and online shops are all great places to look. Over the years, people have started to spend increasing amounts of money on their beloved pets, and pet-oriented companies have enhanced their product offerings as a result. As an example of this, there are designer dog beds available, particularly in high-end markets. It should also be noted that a person can make his or her own dog bed, a labor of love that may end up saving him or her some money. However, the time needed to make one has to be considered. Furthermore, a person needs to be careful to tailor the bed to his or her dog's needs.

In conclusion, there are general tips to consider when purchasing a dog bed. There are many types of dog beds available, including: dog beds that are basic, orthopedic, couch-style, raised, or kennel-style. The beds can be found in shops, online stores, and mail order catalog businesses. People can make their own dog beds, but they need to be careful to tailor the beds the make to their dogs' needs.

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