Processing a Chicken

<Warning, a bit graphic>

If you have chickens for eggs, sooner or later youll need to deal with the fact that your chickens are aging and are no longer producing eggs. Ideally youve thought this question through ahead of time and are prepared to make some decisions. Many people who view their chickens as pets simply let the girls age gracefully; their backyard becomes a chicken retirement home and they return to buying eggs at the store. Other chicken owners, neither interested in geriatric hens, nor killing something theyve lived with, will find a local farmer who will process the chickens for them, perhaps to be returned to eat, or maybe the previous owner has decided to just pretend their bird will have a happy retirement on the farm. I opted to accept the fact that things die in order for me to eat, and I process my chickens for food.

Its not an easy step to take as those of us in Western countries are so comfortable with buying our meat wrapped in plastic that we tend to overlook the fact that what is in our pot was once a living being. Honestly, its even harder when you knew the being. Since Im not going to stop eating meat, I knew I had to face up to the real facts of life, and be part of the death process for what ends up on my table. If you decide to go the same road, youll have to find the philosophy that works for you, in my case Im trying to make it all part of the life cycle. My chickens have a good living, they give me eggs and entertainment, and their lives have meaning. Instead of just letting that life fade away with time, Ive decided that their deaths should have meaning too. I work very hard at making sure the end is quick, that theres a minimum of fear and hopefully no pain. I personally cant make the motion that ends their life, but my partner can. Heres the process we do.

Processsing a chicken for food

It just works better if their crops are empty, so do this in the morning before theyve been fed.

Start a large pot of water boiling. Outside is best if you can do it.

End her life quickly and painlessly

Catch your chicken and hold her upside down. Birds have very small brains, and all the blood rushing to their heads calms them down, and I think makes them kind of senseless. While Im holding the bird upside down, my partner puts one hand on her shoulder, the other around her neck near her head and does a very fast pull and twist. The quick twisting motion dislocates her spine and severs the spinal cord immediately. Even if shes still twitching, she is dead.

Next you need to remove the head and allow the blood to escape. You can use whatever method you want since the bird is feeling nothing at this point. A sharp knife set underneath the feathers works, a sharp ax and a quick blow, or a good pair of garden lopper. Whatever you choose, let the bird bleed out for a while after the head has been removed.

Pluck the feathers

Now you need to remove the feathers. To get them loose, dip the bird into the pot of boiling water and hold her in there for about two minutes. Pull on a feather to see how loose they are and dip longer if necessary. My pot is small so I have to dip first by the feet, and then hold the neck and dip again. Yuck, but I havent figured out a better way.

Pull the feathers off. This is a mess no matter what. If you have access to a defeathering machine, go for it, otherwise you have to hold up a bird and pull off handfuls of wet feathers that stick everywhere. Most come off easily, others youll have to pull off one at a time. The wings are the worst, I think.

Remove the organs

Now youll need to remove the guts. We go inside to the sink to do this. Slice around the anus being careful not to nick the intestine. Open the area where the spine attaches to the body at the chest. If youve opened everything correctly you should be able to reach in, grab a handful of chicken insides and pull everything out at once. My partner pulls from the butt end to avoid spilling anything that might leak from the intestine into the cavity if the chicken. Youll see all the expected bits; liver, heart, intestine, but youll also find dozens of eggs in decreasing sizes (if you are processing a hen). This is normal, and you can eat those egg yolk if you want to. I dont, although I dont have good reason. Im just not there yet. If you like chicken insides, these are perfectly fine to cook and eat, just like any bird youd get from the store.

Rinse and rest the bird

After youve removed everything, rinse the bird well, inside and out. Youll notice that shes gotten very stiff. This is normal. What youll want to do is let the bird rest in the refrigerator for three days before you freeze or cook her. Alternatively you can freeze immediately, but let your chicken rest for three days in the refrigerator after you thaw. Skipping this step will give you a tough meals since you didnt allow the muscle fibers to relax before cooking.

Cooking tips

If this is a spent layer, a couple years old, your only good option for cooking is soup. She will be tough, but very full of flavor. Put the bird in your crock pot, or on the stove on low heat and simmer all day/overnight. This long slow cooking will remove most of the flavor from the meat so I usually just cut up the carcass and put the meat back into the soup. You could try making chicken salad or some other meal that mixes the meat into something with flavor. The soup will remind you of Grandmas chicken soup from way back when. Wow. Flavor.

If youve processed a pullet, a bird under a year old, go ahead and roast her, or cook up your chicken any way youd cook a bird from the grocery store. Youll suddenly discover what chicken was meant to taste like.

If youve managed to put off doing in a bird until she is four or five, there isnt much you can do with her. Go ahead and do the broth thing, but shell be extremely tough and youll end up giving the meat to the dog, or back to the other chickens.

Really, the hardest part is the decision to do this, but it was important enough to me to try.

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Low Maintenance Dogs

There is no dog that requires zero maintenance! Toy breeds like Shih Tzu, which is a high maintenance dog, requires grooming after every two weeks, while a dog like Siba Inu can groom itself. Many times it happens that pet lovers buy a pet, enjoy grooming and caring for it for a month and suddenly they realize that having a pet dog is not so easy and requires lots of time for dog grooming and other maintenance activities. Food, shelter, physical activity, bathing, brushing, health care, etc., are some of the basic maintenance requirements of a pet dog. Moreover, since they are social pets, they require special attention. Some dogs have long silky hair that require brushing on daily basis, while some have no hair. Some dogs require daily exercise routines like walking for their good fitness, while some are lazy and have very low physical activity requirements. So, we can say that every dog is unique and so are its maintenance requirements.

Low Maintenance Dog Breeds

A low maintenance dog can be defined as a dog that does not require frequent grooming, sheds less hair, requires less or no exercise, has no serious health concerns, drools less, etc. There can be several reasons why one may require such a dog. Many people like to adopt a pet, but they refrain from doing so because of their busy schedule. At such times, a low maintenance dog can make a good pet for them. People who live in apartments need a pet that will easily fit into the small space. While some love dogs, but find it very difficult to take good maintenance of the dog. When it comes to maintenance, hair shedding of dog is also a matter of concern. Some dog breeds shed heavily and can create a mess in your house. Low shedding dogs on the other hand are hypoallergenic and shed very low. As said earlier, there is not a single dog breed which does not require maintenance, but there are few dogs that have very few maintenance requirements. Given below is a brief information on some of the best low maintenance dog breeds.

Pugs: Pugs with their small size make some of the best low maintenance dog breeds. Grooming these dogs is very easy and they require very less amount of exercise. They have very short hair on their body, but require brushing on daily basis to avoid shedding. Brushing them is very easy and you do not require special efforts. Pugs are good with kids and hence make lovely pets for families with small children and elder members. Moreover, they also get along well with other pets like cats. If you are living in a small apartment and want a low maintenance dog, then you should surely give a thought to have a pug.

Bullmastiff: Bullmastiff is one of the large-sized low maintenance dogs. Bullmastiff is basically a cross breed of English mastiff and Old English bulldog. This dog is very lazy and requires very less amount of exercise. Moreover, it has a very short-haired coat and is counted amongst the dogs that don't shed or shed very little. Bullmastiff may not be a good pet for you, if you are living in a small space. Due to their large sized body, these dogs require large space at least to lay down. Some of the general characteristics of this dog breed includes, loyalty, affectionate, calmness and high tolerance level. One drawback of this dog is that it has tendency to drool and hence you have to clean slob every time it drools.

Boston Terrier: With minimal grooming requirements, Boston terriers make great pets for lazy dog owners. This dog breed is small in size and can weigh maximum up to 15 to 25 pounds. Boston terriers are known for their loyal behavior towards their master and even for their intelligence. Though they are small in size, they are good watch dogs and protectors if trained properly. The dog requires very less grooming and is the best dog for people who lead a very busy lifestyle.

Shiba Inu: If you are looking for a dog that can take good care of itself, then you should think of adopting a Shiba Inu. Shiba Inus are also sometimes referred as "Little Brushwood Dogs" because of their small size. This dog breed belongs to Japan and was originally bred for hunting. Like cats, these dogs like to keep themselves clean all the time and hence spend a lot of time in grooming. This automatically makes your grooming job easy! Moreover, Shiba Inus have very short waterproof hair that add to the less maintenance. These dogs are required to be taken for daily walks.

Other Dog Breeds That Are Low Maintenance

• Boxer Dogs
• Bichon Frise
• Chihuahua dogs
• Puggle
• Bulldog
• Rat Terrier
• Bolognese

A low maintenance dog can serve different requirements for every dog owner. Some may search for a dog that requires less exercise, while some may search for a dog that does not drool. So, depending on your criteria, choose the best pet dog from the breeds listed above. I hope this article will prove useful to you. Make sure you acknowledge yourself with all the personality traits and physical characteristics of the dog, before you actually adopt it. All the Best!

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Colloidal Oatmeal Shampoo

You happen to be a proud owner of a smart furry dog or a cute little feline, the next thing on your mind is pet care. Of course! Whichever pet you own, you need to treat them as your kids and pamper them in the same manner. This includes just about everything, right from pet food to pet health, training etc. Now, an important aspect of pet health is to keep them clean by washing them regularly, or at least on alternate days. Also, a good hygiene is a prerequisite to keep everyone in the house, healthy. The next query is, how to wash them? Are shampoos available? The answer is yes. There are several shampoos available in the market (generally, alike for dogs and cats) which you can trust blindly and purchase, or else you could make some dry shampoo for dogs at home as well. If you have been observing your dog or cat getting irritated because of dry and itchy skin and don't want to see them scratching their bodies all the time, it's high time you buy or prepare a colloidal oatmeal shampoo, the most beneficial and effective amongst all. We do know that oats are meant to be extremely healthy when consumed, however, for many years now, they have been used in cosmetics as well.

Homemade Recipe

Ingredients

• One cup grounded oats (colloidal oat powder)
• One cup baking soda
• One quart warm water
• Organic soup formula (2-3 drops)

Method
For preparing colloidal oatmeal, grind the oats to a fine powder in a blender. Take warm water and add the colloidal oatmeal powder and baking soda into it and mix well. To create lather, you could add few drops of organic soap formula. Be sure that it is fragrance free otherwise your pet might get irritated with the smell.

You might wonder, how are they beneficial? Well, colloidal oatmeal bath for dogs or cats is no different from a bath with normal oats; the former being in powdered form. Now, to use it as a shampoo, it needs to be of that consistency which is generally, achieved using addition of warm water. Baking soda is added more often to enhance the cleaning effect. What I want to emphasize here is, colloidal oatmeal shampoos are better off than the other commercial ones available in the market which are made up of artificial chemicals that can ruin the fur of your pet. Also, these have natural healing properties along with which they make the fur shiny and soft. So, what are the steps to bathe your dog or cat with colloidal oatmeal shampoos? Let's see.

• Use warm water to wash your pet thoroughly.
• Now, take the required amounts of shampoo and start applying on their entire body except for eyes. Be careful in that.
• Rinse the shampoo over their body until sufficient lather is created. Continue this for about 10 minutes.
• Again use warm water to wash away the shampoo. Use sufficient water so that the entire shampoo is removed from their body.
• Don't let them out until the body is entirely dry.

You can use them safely since they have no harmful side effects. I am sure you will enjoy the whole process and be sure that your pets are going to enjoy even more! Take care of them.

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Small House Dogs for Kids

More often than not, dogs are always favored over cats. I mean, if you look at the world at large, you will find more dog lovers or people who would prefer dogs as pets, if given the opportunity. I always wanted a dog, but my grandmother was always, always against it. She didn't like the fact that they shed all the time and dirtied the house. In fact, she wouldn't even approve of getting any of the small house dogs for kids. But now that I have a house of my own, I have finally adopted a cute little Pug whom I love to death.

Many families are often confused about which are the best family dogs that will be good for the kids as well. Of course, choosing a dog for family is not an easy task; and when you add kids in this calculation, then it can be a bigger responsibility. Perhaps you have decided on bringing in a cute, cuddly pet in your home and are wondering which are the best house dogs? Good thing you landed at the right article, right? Okay, I'm going to keep all kidding aside and only focus on giving you a list of cute house dogs for a household with kids.

Smaller Dogs that Make Great Pets

There are more than 400 dog breeds all over the world. This astounding number doesn't even include the mixed breeds which, I might add, are growing in popularity. Nowadays, many households prefer small dog breeds for their families. There can be several reasons behind that; perhaps there's a small child in the house (very common), apartment or house size is small, low maintenance costs, or some other reasons. Everybody has their own set of needs and requirements when it comes to choosing a dog for the family. But for argument sake, and the fact that this article will only concentrate on the list, we will give only talk about it from that angle.

As far as kids are concerned, their safety and security is the most important factor to look for when getting a pet. And many parents believe that if the dogs they adopt and bring into their homes are small dogs good with children, they are less likely to harm the kids. Whatever your preferences may be: no shedding, harmless, docile, friendly, active, lovable, etc., we have a huge list of small dog breeds for you to choose from.

House Dogs that Don't Shed
Every dog sheds; it's a fact and it's not going to change anytime soon. However, there are some small dogs that shed less compared to other breeds. Here's a list of small dogs that don't shed; perfect for those who can't find time cleaning up after them.

American Hairless Terrier Affenpinscher Australian Terrier Bolognese Brussels Griffon Bichon Firse Border Terrier Boston Terrier Cairn Terriers Cocker Spaniel Poodle Mix Chinese Crested Conton De Tulear Dachshund Havanese Irish Water Spaniel Italian Greyhound Lakeland Terrier Maltese Miniature Schnauzer Norfolk Terrier Portuguese Water Dog Shih Tzu Silky Terrier Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier Toy Poodle Yorkshire Terrier

House Dogs that Don't Bark
Infants and small babies are very sensitive to loud noises. To keep them from getting scared or crying all the time, choosing a pet from this list of small dogs that don't bark will be ideal for you.

Basenji Japanese Chin French Bulldog Miniature Bull Terrier Havanese Miniature Schnauzer Bouvier des Flandres

Here you will find a long, long list of small dogs. Among all types of small dogs we've seen in the list above, each dog's temperament may differ from one another. Hence, I would really advice you to learn more about these small house dogs before you make the final decision. You can contact the local pet stores, adoption agencies, other dog owners, or browse online for further information. I'm sure, whichever dog breed you may choose, he/she will have a safe and happy family to live in.

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Snake Bites to Dogs: Prevention and Treatment

Snake bites to dogs can range from being nothing more than a nuisance to being a fatal injury. For those that live in rattlesnake territory, or regularly hike where rattlesnakes live, with their dog, an encounter with these reptiles is inevitable. You can take steps now to prevent a deadly encounter between a rattlesnake and your dog. But even with preventative measures, you should also know what to do if your dog is bit by a snake.

Discourage Snakes in the Yard

If you live in snake country, especially if you have venomous rattlers, make sure your dogs yard is not snake friendly. Snakes hide in debris piles and tall grasses, so keep your yard free of debris and keep the grass mowed short. Also, keep the yard free of food for the rattlesnakes. Rattlesnakes eat lizards, rodents, and rabbits. Removing woodpiles, debris, and fallen fruit will discourage rodents from moving in. You can also install a rattlesnake proof fence, which is a short fence partially buried in the ground and a top that angles towards the outside of the yard. Close off any holes or other entrances to under the house and porch.

Keep Your Pooch on Leash

The easiest and most effective way to prevent snake bites to dogs is to keep your dog on a leash, especially if you know he has an affinity for snake holes and wiggly creatures. Keep your dog next to you at all times while hiking and the only rattlesnakes he can come in contact with are ones you inadvertently get to close to. Stay on cleared hiking trails and paths and you will probably see the rattlesnake long before you and your dog get too close. Leashing your dog will also protect him from encounters with other wildlife, a safety benefit for both your dog and the wildlife.

Encountering a Rattlesnake with Your Canine

If or when you and your pooch do encounter a rattlesnake, first freeze and identify where the snake is located before making a move. Then move you and your dog to give it a wide birth of at least 10 feet. You can then back away. Loud noises wont chase the snake away because they do not hear sounds through the air, but rather feel vibrations from the ground. Stomping on the ground as you move away from the snake or making other ground vibrations may help the snake to move away from you. It helps to carry a walking stick when hiking in rattlesnake territory. Then you can bang the ground with your stick to scare it off. Snakes are not known to chase anything larger than them.

Rattlesnake Vaccination Shots for Dogs

There is a dog rattlesnake vaccine you can get for your canine. This vaccine is formulated to specifically protect canines from the Western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) venom. But it is believe to provide some protection against other sn
ake venoms that have similar characteristics. These include the western rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis) and the Crotalus viridis subspecies, as well as the sidewinder, timber rattlesnake, massissauga rattlesnake, and copperhead according to the manufacturers website. The rattlesnake vaccination shots for dogs does not protect against water moccasin, Mojave rattlesnake, or coral snake venom, which have a different type of venom.

The vaccine stimulates the body to make antibodies to the snake venom. If a vaccinated dog does get bit, then the dogs immune system will be able to neutralize the venom. However, you should know that the vaccine does not protect dogs 100% against the effects of rattlesnake venom. Vaccinated dogs should not experience the severe swelling, pain, and tissue damage that an unvaccinated dog would experience. But if your dog is bitten by a rattlesnake, he should receive veterinary care immediately, even if vaccinated.

Initially, your dog will need two to three rattlesnake vaccination shots over the course of four to six weeks for it to take effect. A booster is needed every 6 to 12 months. If you live or regularly visit an area with rattlesnakes, speak with your veterinarian to find out if the rattlesnake vaccine is a good idea for your dog.

Rattlesnake Aversion Training

Also referred to as snake avoidance training, this dog training technique teaches a dog that rattlesnakes are dangerous. Through professional training, the dog learns that the sight, sound, and smell of a rattlesnake are to be avoided. Because dogs have a much greater sense of smell, a well trained dog may even warn you of an unseen rattlesnake along the path.

Professional dog trainers experienced with aversion training should only do this type of training. If you are interested in rattlesnake aversion training, seek out a trainer that uses live snakes and training techniques that are human to both the canine and the snake. The use of live rattlesnakes, preferably of the species your dog is likely to encounter at home or when hiking, is necessary to teach dogs what they smell like. Each snake species, dead snakes, and live snakes all smell different. Therefore, rattlesnake aversion training needs to involve live rattlesnakes and be taught only by professional rattlesnake avoidance trainers.

Treatment of Snake Bites to Dogs

Fortunately, many venomous snake bites to dogs (and humans) are dry bites. This is when the rattlesnake bites but does not inject any venom. The most serious complication of a dry bite from a non-venomous snake is infection from being bit by another animal. Venomous bites can cause swelling, pain, disrupt circulation, uncontrolled bleeding, and in some cases (depending on the species of snake) paralysis.

Also fortunately, most dogs that receive veterinary care do survive rattlesnake bites. If your dog has been bitten by any snake, do take him to your veterinarian as soon as you can; do not try to treat the wound yourself. You can wash it with soap and water if necessary. Any snake bite to dogs will at a minimum need cleaning to prevent infection and a quick check to determine if a fang was left in your dog (yes, that does happen). Canines bitten by a venomous snake, even those dogs that are vaccinated, will need veterinary monitoring and possibly further supportive care, such as IV fluids or antivenin.

Copyright Notice: This is copyrighted material. No part may be reproduced in anyway by any other party. If you have seen any part of this article on other sites, then it has illegally been plagiarized.

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IAMS Dry Dog Food

Pros

gentle on their stomachs

happy vibrant dogs

no fillers

no gassy problems

affordable, actually cheaper than some other name brands

I have two large dogs that really do well with this Proactive formula

Cons

Can't think of any

Full Review

As a dog owner, I am very careful what I feed my dogs. I own two large breed dogs, and I have to tell you the Iams Dog Food especially the "Iams ProActive Health Large Breed Dry Dog Food" is a great food for my dogs, This particular Iams dry dog food is recommended for large breed dogs that are over 50 pounds, which mine are.

This formula is also recommended for dogs over one year old. They do have puppy formulas, but I only know the particular bag that I purchase without fail! One of the main reasons I love this Iams dog food is because of how it makes my dogs feel. They are more energetic, happy, and without any digestive upsets, and my dogs have sensitive stomachs.

Once, while we were away, the sitter ran out and purchased another brand, which made them sluggish, and outside to do "business" a lot more than normal. I quickly got them back onto the Iams dog food, and their gassiness and foul air stopped!.

One thing I have noticed, is that their "business" is not very big. I was told that was because there are no fillers in this Iams dry dog food. Both my dogs coats are shiny, their eyes are shiny, and even my Veterinarian, who would like me to buy his food, had to say, that my dogs were doing very well on Iams ProActive Health Large Breed Dog food and to keep using it.

If you are not happy with the behavior of your dog, whether he is sluggish or gassy (another sign of food not agreeing with your dog) and you just can't stand the smell of him, get him a full checkup, then try changing his food to Iams Dog Food. There are different sized nuggets for different sized dogs. There should be one you would like for your dog. It is also affordable.

The replacement dog food the sitter had purchased was a well known name brand and cost more, and yet my dogs reacted to it with gassy problems.

They don't need a huge amount of this food, I follow the serving size on the package, and my dogs are the perfect weight for the size. I can't say enough about Iams dry dog food. This is the perfect food for my dogs. They are happy and healthy 7 year old dogs.

In Closing

I have owned dogs for a long time, and I have tried many dog foods over the years, but when I came across IAMS a few years back, I was really impressed. I even buy the IAMS for cats for my two cats. Can't ask for a better food for my pets.

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Germany Land of Castles and Wine

Germany is an historical country that is a great travel destination. There is so much to do there it is well worth the trip.The people are friendly and the food is wonderful.

On the Rhine river the medieval Castles are amazing. There are Castles that that date back over 2,000 years. They are very romantic and historical. A hotel castle at Oberwesel in the Rhine River hills is 1,000 years old. You can actually sleep in a REAL castle.

While you are visiting Germany check out the wine vineyards. Wine is grown on the hillsides of the River Rhine. The restaurant "Ratskeller" in the old city of Bermer stocks the largest selection of German wine. They have been selling wine since 1405. Germany produces mostly white wine. German wine can be found featured at fine restaurants all over the world.

The most popular dish in Germany is sauage cooked with cabbage. You can also snack on bratwurst with mustard sauce. A popular dessert is Black Forrest Cake. It is a dark chocolate cake with cherries and cream filling.

Another nice place to visit is the "Black Forrest". It is famous for handmade cuckoo clocks. The forest is made up of dense fir and pine trees. They say that's why it is called the Black Forrest because it is so dark there.

Festivals are another one of the awesome fun attraction of Germany. The carnival is celebrated with the most gusto of any other country in Europe. Parades,masks,balls and the crowning of a King and Queen. There are carnival celebrations in Coogne,Duesseldorf,Mainz,Munich and Muenster. One of the most famous is Oktoberfest. It is held from the middle of September until the beginning of October. The festial open's by mayor saying"O'zapt is" which means the barrel is tapped. Many huge beer tents are set up. There are rides and plenty of food.

Firework Festivals like "Night of The Thousand Fires" are very big displays at night right on the sides of the Rhine River. The shows are held from Spring until Summer. The fireworks light up the sky and classical music is played making the display like being in Paradise for the crowd.

The Christmas Markets are in the center of all the towns. Here you will find handmade gifts and decorations. There are hundreds of twinkling lights. The delightful aroma of gingerbread and mulled cider is in the air. You will never foget the market. The Christmas Market starts at the end of November.

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