always learning

I have a ten year old rott-black lab cross...who acts like he is two. We have fed him Nutro exclusively throughout his life. My step son got a puppy last week; mom was a yellow lab shepard mix and no idea what the father was. The pup is only 5 weeks old, but has apparently been to the vet and is in good health. My step sons mother feeds it 'Kibbles-n-Bits'. Son and puppy stay with us on the weekends, sometimes longer, and I personally do not think that the brand of food that 'Sam' is being fed is good for him, but that is not my choice to make. My main concern is the puppy's young age and what would be best to feed him while he is at our house. My initial thought is to stick with what he is being fed when he is not with us, mainly to avoid digestive problems, but could someone offer some info on this? I have always been a cat person, and even though I have had a dog myself for a while, I am still not very dog savy. (sp) Any info would be much appreciated. I want Sam to be healthy and I want to do my best to ensure a long and happy life. I do not know why the pup was taken from his mother so early. Thank you in advance!

I collect antique oil lamps. My issue is that I cant find an oil that does not smell when it burns. I do not use the colored oils, if that makes a difference, but none the less, everything 'stinks'. Does anyone know of a brand that is fairly odorless? Thanks in advance!

I'm curious to know, as I have been taking some newly prescribed medications recently and it seems that the excessive gas that I have coincides with the times that I began the new meds. Wont get in to what the meds are, just asking this as a general question. Might anyone know? Thanks in advance.

I have a 'black copper maran' and a New Hampshire'. One lays pale pinkish eggs and the other lays dark olive eggs with small brown specks. Based on the info I have been able to gather, neither breed should lay these colors. They eat layer feed and leftover table scraps. My guess is that the breeds that I was told that they are, are not correct. Any thoughts or info? Thanks!

I am not very computer savvy. My children use Safari instead of internet Explorer to get on the net. I have blocked facebook using IE, but I can still access it through Safari and I cant seem to figure out how to block FB when using Safari. If anyone can tell me how to do this, I would truly appreciate it. Thank you!

I have recently filled a violation against my x husband in support court because he has refused to pay for our children's medical bills [court ordered]. I have a court date in February. Since my filling, He has left his job and my children's child support has stopped. He has also moved and I do not know where he is [was in Wisconsin, phone has been shut off]. My question is, since I did not get to call the clerks office today, can I 'add' to my petition or do I need to file something separately either now, or after my court appearance? If anyone knows factually what I need to do, I would appreciate the info. thanks much!

My X husband is court ordered to pay for dental benefits for our children who reside with me [his idea] and I cover medical. One of our daughters got braces last school year, and her father has not paid a dime. He had told me a year ago that when he got his income tax return, that he would use that money to cover her orthodontia, but to date he maintains that he has not filed his tax return/some kind of 'glitch' in the system. The orthodontist has dismissed our daughter as a patient as a result of this. I am [reasons dont matter] unable to pay for her visits nor make adequete payments. Is there any way to find out if a person has at least filled their income tax return [ amount of return is not what I am looking for]? If anyone knows for certain, i would love some information before I file a violation in support court later today. Thanks much!!

My daughter found a Luna Moth Caterpillar and put it in a jar with leaves and twigs. it has spun its cocoon...about 3 days ago. I have read conflicting info on the internet as to how long they pupate for; some say 10-14 days, others say that they winter and will hatch next spring/summer. does anyone know first hand what the real time line is? Thanks!

Let me begin by stating that my chicken has seen a vet, and the vet cannot find a single thing wrong with her...

she is a two year old New Hampshire that I purchased from a local poultry farmer about a month ago. she has given only one egg since being with me. I have four hens, all free range and fed appropriately. 'Ruthie' acts like a normal chicken...and then falls asleep...or at least acts that way. she will either remain standing, or hunker down and close her eyes for about 2-3 minutes, sometimes a bit longer, then get up and resume cleaning her feathers, drinking her water, foraging or playing. I dont understand. Has anyone ever had a chicken like this? She is HEALTHY and does not appear to be egg-bound [as the vet says]. Again, the vet cannot find a single thing wrong with her...'picture of health'. what is going on? Is this a sign of simply being broody? THANK YOU in advance!!

It's me again...the newbie. I have two roosters and 5 hens. Obviously I can't keep both roosters and have decided that the one that is more 'rooster' than the other has got to go, or rather, become dinner. Here is the current situation:

New chickens are currently in quarantine for the next 10 days and all of my birds are being given the proper dosage of Tetracycline Hydrochloride daily. Discarding the eggs at present.

The rooster in question was born right around April 1st. he is an Ameracauna [sp].

So am looking for info on when he can be harvested; is he mature enough, etc... I know that I need to wait several days post antibiotics to do so, but do I need to wait any longer than that for any particular reasons? Thanks again to the other Chicken owners here for all of the great info you have given me thus far. If you need additional info, ask and I will edit. Be well!

PS: My husband is a hunter and we have 'processed' grouse and small game birds many a time, so the how of that part I have covered :)

I am a novice backyard chicken owner and this past weekend, purchased a Cochin Partridge hen who is around 2 yrs old. I have read a few place that they can be a broody breed, and was just wondering if it is possible to break them of this if all they do is brood? this is really not an issue at all as I am just happy to have them in the yard. [oh, i forgot to say that they are in quarantine at the moment]. any good info would be MOST appreciated! thanks!!

I have 3 chickens that are free range and I am looking to get two more layers this weekend from a local poultry farm. My chickens do have a coop which they return to each night. My question is about introducing the new birds to the ones that I already have. I am a beginner at this and thought I would ask about any ones experiences with this...quarantine proceedures and length of time...or if that is not necessary in certain situations? Any advice would be most appreciated. thanks!

I have a one year old cat who is pregnant and due to deliver in about 2-3 weeks. she is quite aloof in nature and spends most of her time outside. She rarely comes in at night and when she does, she sleeps in the basement. my question is, when it is time for her to deliver, should I expect that she will find someplace outside to do so or would she come in to deliver? Has anyone ever had the same experience and can offer some info based on such? Thank you!

I hope that this is the correct category to post this. I reside in upstate NY in the finger lakes region and have a son who plays AAA little league ball in [I believe] district 6. My husband and I have recently been the victims of severe harassment by our sons coach...having nothing to do with our son at all. I have found several web sites for little league, however I cannot find any contact information for anyone, nor can I find information on how I would go about filling an official complaint against the person in question. I was able to obtain the 'league president's' email through a completely outside source, but my email has gone unanswered. Can anyone shed some light on a possible contact name or how I can go about filling an official complaint? I searched the littleleague.org site and was not able to find anything to help me. thank you in advance for your help.

I have recently put in for a cost of living increase for support; I am the custodial parent of our two children. Here is the question:

X husband pays the standard 25% for the children. He has two other children by his second [now also x] wife. IF he is paying support for all four children, does he pay the 25% to each custodial parent, or is it the standard 31% then split between the custodial parents? I have the Child Support Standards chart, but this particular scenario is not addressed and I am having difficulty finding the answer. Is there anyone in a similar situation [even if in a different state] who can shed some light? Looking for emphatic answers as apposed to an educated guess. It is unclear as to weather or not he is paying support to his other children at this time. Thanks for taking the time!

My dayghter has a Silver Martin guinea pig that is one year old. He is incerdibly thin [wasnt always that way]. I can easily feel his spine and hips. He eats commercial fortified guinea pig food and fresh veggies and he has a very good appetite. He has clean water every day and is drinking well. His cage is kept clean and he does not have any diarrhea. He acts absolutely fine in every way. Can anyone shed some light on weather or not this is a problem and if so, what it may be? Thank you!

Having difficulty finding info on this. Can you hunt seagulls in NY state? Could not find anything on the DEC website. Does anyone know emphatically? Thanks!

My husband is lookng for lyrics to "Bubblegum Bandit" I think it was done by Faron Young. Any takers on this one? Thanks!!