helenmb Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 I am sitting in my little office hearing the deafening sounds of the fireworks going off in the area - not to mention feeling the rumble from the bangs. I hope the girls are going to be ok? I wish they wouldn't sell them so widely or perhaps restrict them to organised events only. Last evening I could hear some Blackbirds calling their alarm call at 9pm because of the noise. Poor things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandychick Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 My chickens don't seem to notice the fireworks. My poor little cat is terrified though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeastar--x Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 do the fireworks bother chickens a lot? i saw in a book once that you should take them indoors but i dont know where ill put 5 chickens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandychick Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 I've been having a sneaky look at mine when the fireworks kick off. They are always fast asleep and oblivious when I've checked on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 The fireworks are quite loud and have been constant for an hour so far. My poor chickens. I did check them when I came in. I hope they will be OK Even BC (before chickens) I had started to wish that there were more restrictions on fireworks. We used to have a great display locally and everyone would go, but I don't think it happens anymore. Maybe it's time to resurrect it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scramble Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 I've just been to a great firework display!!! But it's 15 min walk away so the little chickens are sleeping blissfully, and even some that are closer, they are still blissfully ignorant x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottishMike Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 I'm sat at home just now with my two dogs - the curtains are shut, the lights are all on, so they don't see the flashes, and I have a snowboard DVD playing with a great soundtrack and the sound pumping out through the stereo - the poor dogs can still hear the odd bang and whump of what is a close recreation of a barrage at the Somme One dog is coping well, the other is trembling and panting constantly. Poor thing. Last year we gave them sedatives, but it didn't knock them out enough, so they were aware of the fireworks but probably felt even more vulnerable as they could barely walk - they got so bad they soiled themselves - so this year no drugs for them My wife has had to take our 3 kids to the town firework display herself - shame! I daren't leave the dogs alone to face this barrage though. I'd be all for licencing the sale of fireworks to specific, authorised people only - that way the nearest fireworks to me would be about 5 miles away, instead of rattling my windows. Also, it would restrict the problem to just the one night, instead of about a 2 week period We've had this problem with the dogs every year - and they are 11 now I did ask the question about hens and fireworks on here before, since they are outside and subject to the full volume, but most people said their hens slept right through it without fuss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Poor doggies, I hope they'll be OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 (edited) I used to be the person responsible for registering all premises in Merseyside to sell fireworks. At that time, over 10 years ago, it was about £10 per location. It's gone quiet here now, hope it's gone quiet by you Scottish Mike and your dogs are OK *Edited for spelling. Edited November 5, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckbok Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Yeah pesky fireworks!! I hope my little girls are ok, I haven't shut their eglu door we never normally do because they like to come out when they want to in the morning. Just hope they will be ok. We didn't get any eggs today, I doubt we will tomorrow. Have noticed they not laying as much as they were they starting to stop for the winter. I hope the poor dogs are ok, it's really the dogs that suffer alot, they got very sensitive hearing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottishMike Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 it's gone a lot quieter now, and the dogs are calming down They are still hyper sensitive to people going in or out the room - they won't be left alone - they insist on following, and normally they crash on their big comfy bed in the living room for the evening and won't shift until it's time to be let out for the last time before bed, but not tonight - it's like a tag team - one of us has to stay with them while the other goes and does something Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 I was outside this evening for a bonfire BBQ with my family. We were all wrapped up warm, having some lovely pork chops in rolls. We then toasted some marshmallows on the BBQ and watched everyone else's fireworks. And then we lit our sparklers. Our three ladies seem to be okay. Our cats however, are curled up on the sofa eyes wide open - terrified. During one quite loud bang an owl flew over our heads to get away from the noise, only for about 10 minutes later there to be more loud bangs and we had a forlorn twit twit from the tree. Poor birdies. It has been a bit quieter this year, and some people had some that had pretty lights and not a huge bang. More of them, I say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottishMike Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 a BBQ? blimey - I can hardly get my wife outside in the summer Mind you, it IS warm today - 6c Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 True stoic Brits, we are! Well, the kids weren't too sure about it. Were were only out for about an hour mind. It's not as warm as last year when we were at a friends bonfire party. Everyone was outside in their t-shirts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 We had to go to the vets earlier today. Whilst there hubby was reading the literature on de-stressing animals. He has had the cats in the living room watching tv with a roaring fire. Sausage slept through all the fireworks but poor Smegul was so scared and flighty. On the plus side, the chickens slept through the lot without the aid of Heroes and a roaring fire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenmb Posted November 6, 2008 Author Share Posted November 6, 2008 I saw a TV programme recently where it covered the subject of dogs and their anxieties which was very interesting. It said that you are not to make of a fuss of them when they start fretting, panting, shaking etc (very difficult me thinks). But apparently making a fuss of this behavious makes them worse, being a pack animal the look to you for reassurance that there is nothing to worry about and if you make a fuss of their fretting then they think its not. Interesting idea, I wonder if it works. They said to just stay calm and carry on with things normally and don't behave any differently when the noises etc are happening. Girls seem OK this morning but it was REALLY loud last night. Think it will go on for a few days as it is very wet here so no doubt people will have postponed their dos until the weekend maybe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisa33 Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 Andyman told me last night he had put an extra cover on the cube to try and sound proof it a bit more. (We live next to the Hockey club in Hitchin who have a huge display every year.) That would have been fine except he forgot to shut the cube door. Chooks seemed all right this morning luckily!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 I'm sat at home just now with my two dogs - the curtains are shut, the lights are all on, so they don't see the flashes, and I have a snowboard DVD playing with a great soundtrack and the sound pumping out through the stereo - the poor dogs can still hear the odd bang and whump of what is a close recreation of a barrage at the Somme One dog is coping well, the other is trembling and panting constantly. Poor thing. Last year we gave them sedatives, but it didn't knock them out enough, so they were aware of the fireworks but probably felt even more vulnerable as they could barely walk - they got so bad they soiled themselves - so this year no drugs for them My wife has had to take our 3 kids to the town firework display herself - shame! I daren't leave the dogs alone to face this barrage though. We've had this problem with the dogs every year - and they are 11 now Recently a lot of research has shown that sedatives are not the answer, they make the problem worse. There are drugs used for antisocial behaviour and anxiety problems which are much better. You have to start them for a month before firework season so that's about two months treatment but they work very well. Ask your vet next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 I saw a TV programme recently where it covered the subject of dogs and their anxieties which was very interesting. It said that you are not to make of a fuss of them when they start fretting, panting, shaking etc (very difficult me thinks). But apparently making a fuss of this behavious makes them worse, being a pack animal the look to you for reassurance that there is nothing to worry about and if you make a fuss of their fretting then they think its not. Interesting idea, I wonder if it works. They said to just stay calm and carry on with things normally and don't behave any differently when the noises etc are happening. I think I must have seen that too because it sounds very familiar, maybe Dog Whisperer? I have 2 labs who are happy to be outside while things are going on, but one who hides as far away from the noise etc as she possibly can. Is this because I just carried on as normal with the babies, but Jess is a rescue so had a very different upbringing to the two I've had from pups? She's much more highly strung than the other two - Poppy's so laid back she'd fall over, and as she's a "leaner", she often does fall over !! They are all so different aren't they? When I went to check the chooks, they al but told me to go away with their huffing & mumbling, so I did! Don't seem to be any worse for wear this morning, although only 2 eggies so far (normally all done by now). Maybe the other one will arrive later.... Hope everyone survive the "festivities" without too much trauma, & your dogs are calm again now Mike, they'll probably sleep all day now . Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 Chooks slept throught the whole thing One cat went under the bed till it all stopped, younger cat sat and watched the fireworks through the window and whinged because I wouldn't let him to go out to play Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 Mine too. Sleepy heads. Gave me a couple of disgruntled boks when I peeped at them. So I left them to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alfred Posted November 6, 2008 Share Posted November 6, 2008 About dogs and fireworks - they do tend to get worse each year so it is worth desensitising using a special CD - but this has to be done at a quiet time of year. There's more info on www.soundtherapy4pets.com. Also a list of practical suggestions. The sedatives they used to use (ACP) did make dogs worse. Now they use diazepam which is a memory blocker so actually helps prevent the problem worsening. You have to get it from a vet though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenmb Posted November 6, 2008 Author Share Posted November 6, 2008 I think I must have seen that too because it sounds very familiar, maybe Dog Whisperer? I think it was, they had some kind of plug in pheromone thingy too that was supposed to help. When I was a child we had a gun dog (as a pet) who was petrified of loud bangs some gun dog she would have made . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Maybe the chooks weren't as laid back as I thought. I found 2 softies in the poo tray this morning, and only had 2 eggs yesterday and again today. Have disinfected the spare eglu today so if it gets too bad tomorrow night I can move the chooks indoors for the evening, then back out again before I go to bed. Am slightly worried though, that this may cause more stress than the fireworks on their own? Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emma Tarpey Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 ours luckily wern't that bothered Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
