Chicken Coop Hen House

February 4, 2010 · Filed Under Pets · Comment 

If you desire to raise chickens in your home, then making a backyard chicken coop hen house is a must. Only healthy and comfortable chickens who feel safe in their environment produce the healthiest eggs and sustaining them in a pen built of only chicken wire will not make them feel this way.

What you require is a proper chicken coop coop hen house made out of wood so that your chickens are able to feel safe enough to give you quality eggs. This article will talk over several tips which will assist you ensure that the hen house you build consists of all the plan elements necessary to allow for your chickens to produce the most number of eggs.

When designing your chicken coop hen house, predatory animals should be on the top of your list of priorities. Foxes, dogs, raccoons, weasels and other wily animals are a serious threat to the safety of your chickens, and keeping them penned in a simple wire structure if of no value if you want to keep these predatory animals out. In order to maximize the safety of your hens, you need to have a coop made out quality material, with strong doors and wire layering the windows. Also, put chicken wire around the chicken run buried one foot deep into the land to keep these predators from digging their way through to your chickens.

When thinking about the comfort of the chickens, think of them the way you would think about the comfort of people. They dont want to be in a place which is too hot, or damp or too cold, as exposure to such extreme conditions can gravely impact their health. This is why the plan of the chicken coop wants to be so that they are preserved from extreme weather conditions.

Add the windows so that they look south, as this will provide enough sunlight to enter the coop, keeping the coop warm in the winter months. During summer, these windows will allow fresh air, as ventilation is fundamental for the coop to stay dry and cool.

Keep these aspects in mind when your are designing the chicken coop hen house, or better yet, purchase a chicken coop design plan and make small amendments to accommodate your particular needs. With the correct plans that have instructions which are easy to follow, you will save plenty of money. Just remember, only the most comfortable and healthy chickens lay the best eggs.

If you enjoyed reading this article, and to get your own chicken coop hen house building plans, visit http://www.chickencoopadvice.com.

Can Dogs Get Diabetes - What Are the Symptoms of a Dog With Diabetes

October 29, 2009 · Filed Under Pets · Comment 
by Barb Hicks

Did you know that your dog is susceptible to getting diabetes? Its true. Older dogs are found to be at increased risk, as well as certain breeds, such as Poodles, Old English Sheepdogs, Golden Retrievers, Daschunds, Miniature Pinscher, Schnauzer and Beagles.

Diabetes is characterized by the non production of insulin and high glucose levels. In order to remedy this, insulin must be administered. There is insulin produced which is specifically for canine use.

Two forms of Diabetes:

Diabetes Insipidus: Is the lack of the anti-diuretic hormone called Vasopressin. Vasopressin controls how the kidneys absorb water.

Diabetes Mellitus (DM): Is insulin insufficiency. It is the most common and the most dangerous for dogs.

Diabetes is comprised of two types:

Type 1 - Is insulin dependent diabetes. The pancreas is not making insulin at all. Type 1 is seen mostly in younger dogs.

Type 2 - Is non insulin dependent diabetes. The pancreas is making insulin but the body is resistant to it. This type is mostly seen in older dogs.

Bigger dogs have a higher risk for diabetes than smaller dogs. It is also an autoimmune disease that dogs can inherit from their parents.

Symptoms:

You may notice that your dog is:

Eating more Drinking more Weighing less Diagnostic Testing:

If you believe your dog is exhibiting signs of diabetes, it is very important to seek the assistance of a local veterinarian. The veterinarian will perform blood tests to check glucose levels as well as a urinalysis to look for kidney function and the possibility of a urinary tract infection. If a positive diagnosis for diabetes is found, you will have to make changes to your dog’s diet as well as implement a daily exercise regimen. These steps will help alleviate symptoms of the disease as well as aid in preventing possible future complications.

Treatment:

The most common form of treatment is to place your pet in a high fiber and protein diet. Fats and carbohydrates will no longer be allowed. This may require you to feed your dog prepared meals. If you feed your dog at the same time every day, this will help keep your dog’s glucose levels in normal range. If insulin is required, it is given after meals. It is very important to note that you must allow your dog to have all the water they want.

Exercise:

Regular daily exercise at the same time each day helps to keep blood glucose down, thus preventing a detrimental effect of up and down glucose levels. Glucose needs to be consistently within normal levels.

Hormonal changes in your female dog put her at higher risk for diabetes. Consider having her spayed to prevent any undue complications of diabetes.

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Is All Natural Dog Food Healthy?

October 23, 2009 · Filed Under Pets · Comment 
by Moses Wright

A dog food that is labeled as all natural dog food contains natural or organic ingredients. If the dog food is “all natural,” does not mean is the healthiest dog food which makes this phrase misleading.

Artificial colors, artificial flavorings, and preservatives are common ingredients in many commercial dog foods. All natural dog food is not contain these ingredients. Several small dog food manufacturers produce natural dog food.

If the dog food is described in this way, it does not guarantee that the dog food is the healthiest dog food. A dog food that consists largely of natural corn or grain products could be considered all natural, but not healthy for dogs. The healthiest dog food is a meat-based dog food.

Dog owners need to consider what the ingredients are and not be solely concerned with whether or not the ingredients are natural. The healthiest dog food is a meat-based dog food. Dogs diet should not consist only of meat, but should contain a significant percentage of meat.

There are different types of healthy dog food with quality ingredients. Some commercial dog foods with organic ingredients and good sources of protein can be a healthy, natural dog food.

Some dog owners prefer to make their own all natural dog food. Homemade dog food could be a raw dog food diet or cooked dog food recipes. Many dog owners prefer homemade dog food since it gives them control over the ingredients.

The primary ingredient for healthy dog food is protein from a quality meat source. Whichever dog food the dog owner decides to feed the dog, the dog owner should make sure that the dog food contains mostly protein from a natural meat source.

Some vegetables and grains for carbohydrates are often recommended as part of the dog’s diet. A variety of foods in a dog’s diet can help ensure that the dog the proper vitamins and minerals. Meat should still remain the main ingredient of the dog’s diet.

If a dog owner decides to make homemade dog food, the dog owner should make sure that they know which foods can be toxic to dogs. Chocolate, onions, avocado, coffee, and raisins are some examples of foods that should not be put in homemade dog food. A dog owner should feel free to ask the veterinarian any questions the dog owner may have about the dog’s diet.

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Our Best Buddies And Taking Care Of Them When They Need It The Most

October 23, 2009 · Filed Under Pets · Comment 
by Andre Hansen

You have had a long tiring day at work. You are pissed off and you just need something to take your intelligence off of your day so that you can relax. What’s the remedy?

Your pet is there to pick up your mood when you’re almost prepared to say I’m done with everything else. They’re you’re champion. They’re the ones there to cuddle up and watch TV. They can make you grin when you need to cry. So you would like to do the best for them to show you care too. Looking online for Frontline plus best price medicines is one way that you can do this.

There are lots of online retailers that deal with your animal’s wishes. You can find anything from toys to fur ball removers. You could be searching for a tough to find item or it may be the keenest price for everyday products for your pet. you can use an internet search website or you can bring it down even more and employ a shopping search engine.

When using the shopping search engines, sometimes they will show you the inducements provided by different shops. These motivations can help you make the decision on what will work the best for you. If you can only afford to get a little supply of the drugs that you are looking for, then you may find a retailer that offers a coupon or free shipping. If you budget is a little bigger, you may find discounts for ordering in bulk or for using auto-delivery.

They can help you find the Frontline plus best prices. If you can only afford to get a tiny supply of the drugs that you’re looking for, then you’ll find a retailer that offers a discount or free delivery.

Seeing our pets suffer is upsetting. Even if it is just fleas and ticks; they can get very sick when they are not treated correctly. When you can get them a medication that will make their life simpler and at an inexpensive price, why not give your pet what they deserve?

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Finding Cat and Dog Necklaces Made From Healing Stones

October 23, 2009 · Filed Under Pets · Comment 
by Alice Michaels

Different holistic healing solutions for pets are available on the internet. Some websites specialize in homeopathic and herbal remedies, and others focus on different methods. Sites even create cat and dog necklaces made from crystals and stones believed to contain healing power.

Ancient cultures like the Chinese believed in the healing power of semi-precious stones and crystals. They believed that the people that carried the stones had longer and healthier lives. Crystals are forged from the natural power of the earth. It is believed that energy from our planet is passed into the stones.

Websites have researched and studied the benefits of various crystals and stones, and then used them to fashion beautiful cat and dog necklaces. The pet necklaces are made to provide a holistic healing solution for your pet, and provide some nice style for your pet.

I bet you are wondering which stones and crystals are being used to make the pet necklaces. Below are some of the crystals and stones used And their interesting properties:

Tiger Eye - Provides potential relief of tenion, and helps with the stomach.

Lapis Lazuli - Believed to aid with depression, and help with respiratory issues.

Quartz - Believed to be a powerful general healing stone. It can help eliminate toxins.

A necklace made from the above stones can provide some benefits to your pet. Different stones are used to create the necklaces that relieve stress in your pet, instil calm, help with depression, aid in pain relief, and help your pet sleep.

Continuing to conduct research is a great way to find the cat or dog necklace that you are looking for. Learn about different types of pet necklaces and find one with healing stones if you are interested. There are some great options available, and you can find a necklace made from healing stones suited to match the needs of your pet.

If you want a cool necklace for your cat or dog, one fashioned from healing stones and crystals is a good option.

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Is Your Koi pond Prepared for Winter Yet?

October 15, 2009 · Filed Under Pets · Comment 
by Frank Froggatt

Winter is on the way, and if you have just built your Koi pond this will be the first time that your Koi have had to make it through those long winter months. There isn’t a whole lot that happens through the winter months with your Koi pond, so you can consider this as a down period for it. Nonetheless, there are special precautions that you need to take before Winter arrives, to ensure that your fishpond and fish survive.

Clean Up- Take about a weekend to totally go over your fishpond. Clean up any unwanted bulk material in and around your fishpond.Make sure that in your fishpond, you don’t have any leaves are silt built up on the bottom. Take out any of the flowers or plants in your fishpond that won’t survive winter. If there is any debris around your pond that could blow into it, clean that up as well as you are not likely to notice any of this stuff until spring arrives. By taking this time and removing this debris, you’re helping to remove the possibility of potential bacteria and parasites damage from happening.

Stop Feeding- You must remember to stop feeding your Koi during the winter. When fall begins and the temperatures hover around fifty five to sixty degrees, only give food to once a day. You must stop feeding your Koi totally after the temperature drops below 50 the first time. Even if the temperature goes above fifty degrees, still refrain from feeding your fish. The majority of Koi, when healthy and the temperature is above 50 degrees, take at least 4 days to wholly digest food. Making this mistake could cost you though the fish as the food will rot in their stomachs. Do not blunder you Koi as hungry when they open up their mouths to you. This is more of a learned reflex than hunger. Don’t be apprehensive about not giving your fish eating food, as if your pond has any type of plant life and it, you are not their only source of sustenance. Your Koi will fill up on this other stuff if they get hungry and you’re not feeding them.

Check Up- Do your regular check up on all your equipment. This includes everything from your filtration system to your store of preventable medications. Sometimes I can be difficult in the winter to find the supplies as most ponds go dormant so shelves aren’t often kept stocked. Try to make sure that you have an emergency kit that is complete and up-to-date. This kit needs to include things like medications, bags, nets, and your kits for testing the water.

Get Ready for Cold Weather- You need to make sure that you are ready for the cold weather, by investing in the essential items while it is still summer. It is not unheard of for Koi to withstand temperatures down as far as 39 and maybe even a slight bit lower for small periods of time. When you go to buy a heater, you need to remember to properly research the proper size that you’re going to need to adequately heat your fishpond during those winter months. If you don’t, and you get one that is too small you could still have ice forming your pond which can cause dangerous amounts of gas to form. If the area that you have drops into the extremely low temperatures, you might really want to think about having an crisis tank available inside your home.

Turn Off All Water Sources- In temperatures that are extremely cold, your heater will have to toil extremely hard to sustain the water temperature that will keep your fish alive. You need to make sure that you turn off any of your water features such as streams are waterfalls, which cause constant water movement. These features will distribute water, and constantly bring new, and cold water into your pond. You’ll be cutting down on the toil that your heater will have to do by turning off these features.

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Using Small Cat Food Tins for Deodorizing

October 15, 2009 · Filed Under Pets · Comment 
by Moses Wright

Many thrifty people enjoy reusing items that would otherwise become garbage. One simple craft activity that involves reusing items is using small cat food tins for deodorizing.

The cat food tin needs to be washed thoroughly. Applying spray enamel is a quick way to make the cat food tin colorful.

Instead of using spray enamel, the cat owner may want to cover the cat food tin in gift wrapping paper, wallpaper scraps, or colored paper. When deciding on a way to decorate the tins, the person may want to consider the colors used in the room where the decorated tin will be.

The cat food tins can be personalized with numerous different types of craft supplies. After the cat food tins have been sprayed with enamel or covered with paper, craft supplies such as floral accents, foam letters, buttons, or scrapbooking supplies can be added to decorate the outside of the tin.

White vinegar can be poured into a recycled cat food tin that is to be placed in an area that tends to have a strong odor. Some cat owners place cat food tins containing vinegar near the litter box.

Recycled cat food tins can hold cotton balls scented with perfume or pine cleaner. The cotton balls can also be scented with scented oils.

Using small cat food tins for deodorizing can make use of potpourri. The decorated cat food tins can hold potpourri in various areas of the home.

Recycled cat food tins can be used as holiday decor accents. Green or red spray enamel can be used for Christmas decor. These tins can hold seasonal potpourri or pine cones.

Coffee beans are an excellent filler for recycled tins for people who enjoy the scent of coffee. After the coffee scent is no longer noticeable, the cat owner can often reactivate the scent by stirring the coffee beans and squeezing some of the beans open.

With a little care, cat food tins could also be used as candleholders. A scented votive candle can be placed in the cat food tin. The tin must be placed on a heat-proof surface since the tin can heat up when the candle is burned.

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Dogs-Things to Think About When Buying a Puppy

September 15, 2009 · Filed Under Pets · Comment 
by Tom Clark

Just imagine the feeling of touching the soft furs of a pup, its wet licking habits that could annoy you sometimes and the feel of that warm cuddle. A puppy melts the hearts and softens the wallets as adults who claim they don’t need a dog end up with a puppy before they can say, “What just occurred here?” There’s something magical about bringing home a little fur ball and more often than not, caring for it seems to be more demanding than caring for an mature dog. It’s an opportunity to train the dog from an early age to fit your surroundings and lifestyle.

You can also teach your children (if you have) the essence of being affectionate to other creatures particularly to a puppy. Having a puppy to be with you while you are growing up will surely give out a lot of fun memories to recall. When you bring home a pup, not only that you’ll experience all the joy that it can share to you but also and more significantly, some other things that you really cant get way with - such as toilet schooling, walking on a lead, chewing toys instead of designer shoes and other typical puppy behaviors that drive owners to the brink of insanity.

Surely, a puppy is one creature that would seem to be so dear to you, all the same, you must consider that it can be very demanding of your time and efforts. Spending time with a pup particularly at some early stage would surely ask a lot of your time than that when you take care of a mature dog. More often than not, the shelters would tend to crowd its place with a lot of dogs - and many of which are starting to depart the stage of being a puppy.

Due to the breed or the dog’s history, the seller or adoption facility will advise you which dogs are best for households with children and which dogs need to be around adults. You can also straight away see the size of the dog when it reaches its fullness so that you won’t find it hard fitting the pet into your home. You are allowed to visit the dog just before you make up your mind so why don’t you savor the moment of taking him to a walk? There are a lot of puppies that can only be a waste, so, if you don’t want to end up with a trash, be sure to assess the dog first through its parents. The thought of knowing the possible traits that your pup is more likely to have especially when it grows up would surely bug your mind.

A puppy will have the most advantage of enjoying the comfort of your house without any difficulty, where as a mature dog would tend to react, still, that won’t give the conclusion that a mature dog is not likely to feel comfortable with your home. puppies and older dogs each have their own specific demands. Schooling a pup should start from the fundamentals. A mature dog might already be trained, but could have more vet bills if it’s not a entirely healthy more mature dog. Or maybe, the aging dog became unruly and no longer had the disposition towards kids like it used to be when it was just younger.

The reasons why you desire to get a new dog or a dog for the first time may vary, giving an older shelter dog the home and loving family that it needs is something that you might like to do than spending much of your time and money bringing home a pedigree puppy. But if showing or breeding is your goal, a puppy with papers might suit your needs more.~A puppy with complete documentation can surely cater to your desires if you want to show it off or breed in the future.~If you plan to show off your dog or have it breed in the long run, then getting a puppy with all the pertinent records can surely go with whatever you want or need.

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Proper Fish Tank Water Treatment For Healthy Fish

September 15, 2009 · Filed Under Pets · Comment 
by Dustin Williams

If you want to have healthy fish, you need to have the right type of water in your fish tank. Many people who are just beginning to set up a fish tank don’t understand how important it is to test your water and treat it for any imbalances. You need to have the right water for your fish.

Different fish have different requirements when it comes to the condition of the water that they will do best in. It is always a good idea to test your water for the pH, gH, and kH levels and try to get fish that thrive in water similar to the water that you already have. This will mean less work for you when it comes to fish tank water treatment.

Tap water tends to be the best type of water for your freshwater fish tanks, but it does need some treatment before it can be used. Chlorine is not good for fish, so you need to remove the chlorine from the water before adding it to your tank. You can use a conditioner as a way to try to correct any imbalances in your water and add beneficial substances. This type of fish tank water treatment is common. It will get rid of the chlorine. You can also leave tap water sitting out for 24 hours to get rid of chlorine, though this will not correct any other imbalances.

If the pH of your water is not at the right level, or is not remaining stable, you might need to do a fish tank water treatment in order to correct this. Sometimes this can be as simple as mixing a small amount of spring water in with the tank water. Other times you will need to treat whatever is causing the pH fluctuation.

You also need to make sure that the kH, or concentration of carbonates and bicarbonates, in your water is at the proper level. These help to buffer the water so that the pH stays more constant, otherwise as time goes on it will get acidic. There are a number of different options you can use for fish tank water treatment if you have high or low kH levels, including various chemicals you can purchase at the store.

You gH is the general hardness of your water. Some fish prefer harder water and some prefer softer water. You can use peat moss to soften the water, or add rocks to help harden the water. The simplest thing to do is get fish that suit the water that you already have so you don’t need to do too much treatment of your water.

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Canine Ear Infections: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention

September 15, 2009 · Filed Under Pets · Comment 
by Heather Fox

No matter what the root cause of an ear infection is, the symptoms are all the same. Here are signs you should watch for at home:

Shaking the head

Scratching at the head or ears

Constant rubbing of the head and ears on the floor or ground

Redness or irritation of the ear canal

An unusual discharge leaking from the ears

Brown or Yellowish discharge present in the ears

Foul smell emanating from the ear

Pain when the head or ears are touched or petted

Visiting the Veterinarian - Dog Ear Infection Diagnosis

At the first sign of symptoms an appointment should be made with a veterinarian. It is also important to remember that you should never put anything into your dogs ears before seeing the veterinarian. This could result in additional symptoms including neurological which include head tilting and walking in circles.

For dogs that get repeated ear infections or have infections that will not go away with treatment, it is important to find the underlying cause of their problems. Some things are easy to figure out just from a physical examination. If a dog has a lot of hair in its ears, floppy pinnae, or small ear canals, a visual examination will show this. Tumors and foreign objects in the ear can usually be seen during a physical examination, too.

Food allergies are usually ruled out with a food trial. During a food trial, a special hypoallergenic food is fed for a period of 8-12 weeks. The dog is monitored during this time to see if its symptoms improve.

Skin and blood testing is used to rule out Atopy. This word stands for seasonal and inhalant allergies. The test will provide the veterinarian with exactly what your dog is allergic to, if anything.

Hypothyroidism and other endocrine diseases affecting the skin are usually diagnosed through a series of one or more blood tests which test the function of a particular endocrine organ. Usually dogs with endocrine disorders will have other symptoms besides ear infections that will lead the veterinarian to suspect another problem.

Treatment for Ear Infection

Addressing the underlying reason is an important part of treating ear infections. For dogs with food allergies, it is important to avoid those foods that they are allergic to. Dogs with atopy will probably be on a combination of medications to control their symptoms for the rest of their lives. This usually consists of a combination of corticosteroids, antihistamines, omega-3 fatty acid supplements and cyclosporine.

Periodic treatment of skin and ear infections with antibiotics, antifungals, shampoos and topical rinses is usually necessary. The course of treatment varies for each dog and depends on how severely allergic they are and how well they respond to therapy.

For the most part, ear infections can be treated with oral medications and a topical medication placed in the ear. This treatment usually lasts two weeks, however some cases may take longer. It is highly important to note that you must also clean your dogs ears once or twice a week to remove medication buildup. This can collect debris which then impedes the healing process. If after the medication is completed the ear infection is not gone, an ear swab or culture may be needed for further testing.

How to Prevent Ear Infections

Treat all underlying diseases present in your dog

Dry your dogs ears thoroughly after bathing

Dry your dogs ears completely after swimming

Do not use water or cleanser in your dogs ears unless absolutely necessary and always make sure to dry them completely when you do.

Remember: Keeping the ears dry is an important part of treating and preventing ear infections.

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