Growing my Own: The Quail Chronicles

Ok, so before the P.E.T.A weirdos get all up in my business about animal cruelty, let me make it perfectly clear that I don't need to eat meat to survive. My butt is fat enough without the added calories. My doggins, however, thrive on a diet of wholesome animal protein. Lately, they have really blossomed since they have been eating a carefully designed raw diet and I really want to find safe sources of meats, eggs, veg and dairy that are grown conservatively and conscientiously in small scale to continue feeding them this, without worrying if the animals that go to feed my own pets were mistreated or not. So, I have decided to grow my own game birds for eggs and to slaughter and feed to my dogs.

Looking to replicate some of the good things I had back on the Farm when I was growing up in rural Oregon, I began my project. I'm speaking of my memories of fresh produce, fresh dairy, fresh eggs, fresh poultry-all grown without confinement and eating naturally occurring foods in their own environment, and also harvested/slaughtered in as a humane fashion as possible. That said, now that I am in the city and on a half acre lot, it's a little unrealistic to expect that I should be able to replicate the bounty and sustainability of an entire working farm just to feed my dogs.

Enter the Urban Farmer: a seldom encountered, poorly understood character that wears a suit and tie/or pumps and matching handbag during the day, and donning overalls with clodhoppers early every morning and again into the evening (as long as the sun is good). No amount of scrubbing will hide the dirt from under their carefully manicured nails, or conceal the t-shirt shaped tans on their necks and upper arms earned from evenings and early mornings tending their pea patches, roof top green belts, backyard chickens, or upside down tomatoes hanging beside a rabbit hutch. If it there is a square foot of dirt, have no fear the Urban Farmer will find a use for it.

You could say there is a little Urban Farmer in us all. I reconnected with mine last Monday when I made the peaceful drive out to Enumclaw, Washington to select my first juvenile Coturnix, the Japanese Quail, or Coturnix coturnix japonica. They are also known as Common quail in Europe. They are not native to the Americas, but are becoming popular here as meat and egg birds. I selected this bird specifically due to it's small size, quiet nature, ease of keeping, and for the fact that it is a game bird that my dogs would naturally be able to catch and eat back in their homeland. It is an efficient feed to meat converter also, more so than chickens. The quail egg is also said to be more nutritious overall. They mature quickly, and they do make some lovely song like noises.

On the Road Again, Ike has a Brag

Back home at last from a quick overnight in Port Angeles for another dog show. Ike earned his very first point ever! There was a suprisingly good entry for Shiba at this location, and a really good experience. This was my first time hauling all of my show gear with me and multiple dogs for an overnight stay away from home, vs just a leash and some dog food like in the old days. After cramming all my "necessary" junk into my compact eco friendly commuter, I am definately sensing the need for a larger vehicle.

The show grounds were sweltering, but at least there was a good breeze and lots of shade. It was really beautiful and sunny. Ike began dropping some coat from the heat, and also probably because he knew I signed a $250 pet damages fee should-they-occur paper when checking in. He's sneaky like that.

While at the show, I made yet another dog related impulse purchase and bought an extra long flirt pole with a tassle (get your minds out of the gutter, it's for stimulating prey drive). http://hubpages.com/hub/Dog-Play-Fun-Games-to-Play-with-Your-Dog-or-Puppy

Dogs did a few turns around the yard and little cousin Alona is still looking for it. Hopefully it will help in bringing out her confidence a little more and help her to realize that being in strange situations can be fun. Using lazer lights and feather duster type toys to chase has made a huge impact on my other dogs in bringing out their desire to work while keeping it amusing. Fingers crossed!

Lastly, I need to make a few trips tomorrow to the garden store for sand, gravel and plants, and then off to Lowes to help in some dog proofing for an extra cool project. Beebe will really be over the moon for this when it's finished. She's doing remarkably since I started her on raw again (that's her gnawing on a duck). It's been several weeks, her coat seems very nice suddenly, and although her temperment has gotten a little "sharper", that is a small thing relative to the improvement in her overall health. By the way, Jen http://theyarewhattheyeat.blogspot.com/, Green Tripe does so smell. The dogs love it though, thanks!

Weekly Shibatudes: Shibas at Work

We've been a little down here this last week, our miss Peach went back to her mommy in the country for a while to blow her coat and take a breather from big city living. We didn't have much time to be sad, because we have a new beautiful girl in her place here for training. Ike is in pig heaven with all these gorgeous females falling into his lap. Beebe would rather pounce on them and play dirty, but these country girls just don't play like that, and don't understand her big city ways yet so we have some snarking every now and again followed by time outs.

New little cousin is quite a gal, and was very well behaved at work (I take my dogs with me). People must think we run a Shiba daycare on the side by now. She has also enjoyed hanging out with big cousing Ike and Beebe during their lessons, and was even joining in on some Agility which really helped her confidence. As an awesome bonus, we were able to have some 1:1 private training on focus exercises and calming techniques (with Beebe's very favorite trainer using positive techniques that have so greatly improved all of my dog's focus and attention and ability to tune out stresses). She suggested using a little clicker training, positive name association with a very high value food item (chicken livers-eww) and "watch me" commands.

We all spent the day today at the fairgrounds in Shelton for another show, followed by a visit at grandmas house. It was beautiful weather, hail, rain, high winds, thunder and lightening with some noisy flapping tent canopies to top it off. What more could a bunch of reactive dogs want in an outing? Needless to say, we wrapped it up early and made a very short day of it following Ike's Reserve win against the amazing Specials dog. Upon arriving home, Ike and the others quickly undid my half hearted grooming attempts by rolling in a pile of regurgitated Crow worms! Thanks Shibas!

And baby makes three...

What a busy last few weeks. We have been graced with the presence of Ike's little sister, Peachy. She has been a most welcome little house guest, and is of course, very captivated by everything Ike does "monkey see, monkey do". Ike has been quite the gentleman in return and Beebe was a suprisingly tolerant hostess, which was contrary to what I have always been told about two females living together. She really has exemplified what being a Canine Good Citizen means (for a Shiba).

Ike was the best older brother for Peachy, he really showed her the ropes in the show ring over the last few weeks and about how to behave on lead and for the judges exam. Peachy took all of this to heart by taking home a basket of toys and gifts and a huge rosette for Best Puppy on her very first time in the ring! We were all shocked at how she turned it on and I am especially proud of her.

Having to juggle the three of them at home, at shows, and on walks has brought me to several important immediate conclusions about any future dog ownership on my part. I need a bigger car, I need property, I refuse to ever own a fully carpeted home again, and I need to find a way to be my own boss. Two dogs is very easy for one person, three dogs is a stretch. More than three...I have a lot of focusing work to do in the next 2-3 years if that's where my goals really point.