bonds_martini_glass

We have a set of six ducks (four female, two male) that are a year old and living out in a 12x12 coop with free roam of the yard. They have been socialized to the hilt (come when you call, sit on your lap, etc.) and are pretty laid back, even by duck standards.

For Easter, we were given nine chicks (week old females) which have been living in the heated feed room of our barn in a 150 gallon tub. Right now, at a month old, they are a nearly half of the size of the ducks and are extremely active (able to fly up onto their perch which is two feet off the ground).

We would like to move the chicks into the pen attached to the main coop but at night they would either have to live in the little dog house in the pen or in the coop with the ducks.

I'd like to get them moved out in the next two weeks or so but is that too soon? And has anyone encountered problems introducing chicks to ducks?

Any input would be sincerely appreciated.

Our Thoroughbred mare "Stoneleigh Girl" (by Grindstone out of Mrs. Z and Me) is in foal to the Trakehner stallion "Windfall II" (by Habicht and out of Wundermaedel xx). We've been trying to come up with some names for when the foal is inspected/registered and so far the only thing that's made the cut is Word Leigh ("worldly") but I was wondering if the more creative types out there could come up with anything else. I put links to pics of both the mare and stallion below.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Stoneleigh Girl

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2371/...

Windfall II

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/47/159073120_601272...

My Labrador broke the snap on her InvisibleFence collar and I was wondering if anyone knew how to remove the device in order to put it on a new collar?

I looked over the website for the company and it doesn't have anything listed and I can't get anyone on the line for customer service.

Thanks in advance from myself anf Fiji : )

The Thoroughbred Times just put an article out saying that they are starting to use honey for cuts, scrapes and exposed tissue to help exfoliate dead tissue and speed up granulation and skin growth.

Has anyone else heard of this or have they tried it?

We have a broodmare that ripped her gaskin open a month ago and the vet was unable to stitch it so we ended up having to wrap (changing it twice a day, alternating between Nolvasan salve and Furacin). The wound has decreased about half from its originally size but still has quite a ways to go before skin grows back. If this honey treatment can safely help speed things up, I'd love to know.

Has anyone used the Duratech Viking turnout winter blankets from Schneider's? Have you had any problems or fitting issues with them?

I received an e-mail ad from them that they're heavyweights were on sale for $70. My boss is in the process of replacing all the winter blankets for the horses in the barn (18 in all) and has asked me to shop around. Of course we want great quality but if we don't have to shell out $170 a blanket, that's not bad either! : )

I have an ten year old male German Shepherd that is a retired police and search and rescue dog. Although his hips and elbows still x-ray fairly clean, I'm looking to put him on a joint supplement since he refuses to live the life of an old man and is happier playing withe the younger dogs. My veterinarian said that's not entirely necessary yet but Id like to be on top of any stiffness in his joints before he has to suffer with it.

He was on Cosequin when he was in active duty but we were thinking maybe something more on the natural side.

I know there's a gazillion product out there but I was wondering if anyone has used something that was successful.

Bengo and I appreciate it ; )

I can't get to the concert in Hartford CT tonight until probably an hour or so after it starts, I just want to make sure I don't miss getting a chance to throw my fangs up!