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January 5th, 2009 by KittyKitty

There are many reasons why people move to other places; a new job, a change of scenery, family reasons and much more. Once you have made the choice to move there are many factors to think about. For example, if you are relocating to a cool weather climate from a warm weather climate you need to think about any additional weatherproofing for your things. Your things themselves will need attention as well; care needs to be taken when placing items into the moving truck rental you have rented so that they will not break on your move (especially for long distance moves).

Another aspect to think about is the price of the truck rentals for moving, as you can save hundreds of dollars depending on your approach. Another major consideration for relocating is how to move your animals. It should be fairly simple to move their crates, cages and other things as they can be loaded with the remainder of your things. The actual pet itself can present a challenge for the move depending on how you are relocating. If you are relocating over a long distance and you are planning to fly while a moving company drives your belonings, you will likely need to crate/cage your pet in the plane with you.

The other alternative is to leave the pet under the care of the moving company, which most people would not be comfortable with. If you are relocating over a shorter distance, the family pet can ride with you in the vehicle or truck. The type of pet you are relocating is an important factor in the relocating plans as well. If you are relocating a dog, bird or cat you can crate it for a plane trip or it can ride in the vehicle with you if you are driving.

Moving fish tends to present the biggest challenge for relocating. You will likely have to take the fish out of its tank before the move and keep it in a portable container for the entire move. This can get particularly tricky if you are changing climates as the fish are accustomed to a particular climate and might not adjust well with the move.

Regardless of what you do, performing research well in advance of the move will save time on moving day(s). Look up cheap moving trucks to save money, tips for relocating a pet and its things. The last thing you need at the airport is the fact that your animals’ crate does not conform to airline rules. You can take things out of bags that are too heavy and either leave them behind or pay more to carry them. You cannot take the pet out of its carrier and have it fly with you, so be sure to understand these rules before doing anything. Finally, relocating can be stressful so relax and trust your plan. If you have spent enough time on it, it will come through for you in the end.

January 4th, 2009 by PetGuru

Taking care of birds at home is perhaps one of the most fulfilling ways to relax. That is why it is important to provide birds with the right bird feeding tools. There are many different types of bird feeders, each designed according to the types of birds that feed from it. The most common ones are the wood hopper feeders, the tube feeders, thistle feeders, platform feeders, ground feeders and the suet bird feeders.

Hopper feeders are basically the most ideal feeders you can buy. They are made from wood, thus making them an additional accent to your outdoor surroundings. These bird feeders houses are very convenient since you just simply open the top and pour the wild bird seed in. They are also fairly well protected against weather like snow or rain. Generally, wood feeders are practical. But be sure to place these feeders in strategic locations, otherwise, squirrels might raid them. Tube feeders are another type.

These can be easily mounted onto a pole, or can be hung wherever you like. Additionally, when looking for feeders that have very tiny holes, thistle feeders are the answers. These feeders are basically designed for gold, purple or house finches because the seeds of the thistles no not pour out easily onto the ground. Most thistle feeders for wild birds have fun designs and you can normally see birds hanging upside down while feeding themselves. Moreover, the design effectively keeps birds always from each other, thus avoiding competition for the seeds.

Other types are the platform feeders. Since these bird feeding tools are open in design, migratory birds can easily keep a close eye out for any predators that may approach them. What is good about these types of bird feeders is that larger birds can actually perch easily on the platform and simply pick away seeds that might catch their interest. And because the design is open, many birds can feed themselves all at the same time. If you like different types of birds all at the same time, then platform feeders are the answer. Ground feeders are also somewhat similar with the platform bird feeders but they are placed on the ground instead. Both the platform and the ground feeders, however, require proper maintenance often since there is nothing that protects them from elements, such as snow or rain.

To attract interesting types of birds, suet feeders are a good idea. This type of feeder is actually a cage made from wire and can be easily placed with commercially-prepared suet cakes. Suet feeders normally attract Northern Flickers, and also Pileated, Red Bellied, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers. You have a lot of options when it comes to choosing a feeder, so be sure to have the one that will attract the species you wish to see.

January 2nd, 2009 by PetGuru

Millions of wild birds die each year after hitting the windows. Is there any reliable low-cost way how to prevent them from doing it? Even though I am not a birding expert (yet I build couple of feeders with nice little roofs on them), the methods are quite clear so let’s analyze and compare them.
Why birds often hit the windows
When figuring out the reason why birds often fly into windows we must accept one important fact and that is that people do not see things the same way as birds.

1.) Some birds have their eyes placed in the front of their head. That gives them vision very similar to people. This type of vision is called binocular vision which means that the fields the eyes see do overlap and certain things are perceived with both exes at the same time. Such birds (mainly predators like owls, eagles) have good perception of the distance. The most of non-predatory birds have their eyes placed on the sides of their head. The fields of vision do not overlap (monocular vision) which gives them much wider view but reduces their ability to perceive the distance from the objects in front of them.

2.) Birds are not people, have not invented the glass and do not know what windows are (OK some dirty ole parrots know them very well but the majority of wild birds don’t). They can perceive the glass of the window in 3 ways (A, B, C).
(A) When there are no reflections on the glass, it can appear to them transparent. Birds simply see what’s in the room and if it doesn’t threaten them they may want to fly into the room but hit the window instead.
(B) They can see the window semitransparent which means that they see both the interior of the room and some exterior reflections.
(C) They see the reflections in the window, e.g. they can see themselves, considering their own reflection an intruder and may attack it, hitting the hard glass.

3.)The birds can see things beyond human perception. There’s nothing mysterious with it, simply, the most of the birds see also in ultraviolet (UV) spectrum of the light, while people do not perceive it. That means that birds can see the reflections on the window even in situations when people would not see them.
Ways to stop the birds from flying into windows
Tip #1 - never wash your windows
No, I am not serious, of course you should wash your windows but - definitely - this would work. Dirty enough windows would be perceived solid objects by birds just like the walls. No insight, no reflections, no dead birds.
Price: $0
Recommended: no, this just was a joke

Tip # 2 - the stick-on birds
You can buy paper silhouettes of a predatory birds (eagle, hawk) and stick them on the window. You don’t even have to buy them. Just draw the silhouette (based on some picture from book) on the paper, cut it with the scissors and stick it on the window. The silhouette must be realistic, best if it shows the predator in hunting posture. The problem is that the birds get used to it over time. For example, I live near the large bakery. For years, this bakery has problems with birds trying to feed on the grain and flour they stock. Of course, they tried everything to prevent the birds from flying in the factory, they also tried the stick-on birds. Nice, professional pictures in realistic postures and dimension. Worked for limited time. After some time, the birds were flying in and out the factory again, regardless of the eagle stickers. Now they have window screens everywhere.
Price: $0
Recommended: yes, you should try it at least. You can make them yourself, maybe with a little help of your children (they will like it, it will be a mission of the day for the little guys) at zero cost. If it stops working for you, nothing happens.

Tip # 3 - the window screens
The window screens will not prevent birds from flying into the windows (though they may reduce the occurrence) but will definitely protect both bird and the window during the crash.
I suppose that majority of people would feel sad seeing birds dying at their window sill. I would for sure and if that happened often I would try to find out how to protect those birds. If the window is covered with the screen (typically an insect screen made of thin metal wire, fiberglass or synthetic fiber) and a bird flies into it, the crash is much softer and the bird - though shaken - recovers from it almost immediately without any injuries. The window mesh also protects your home from insects.
Price: depends on dimensions but typically $10-$50/window
Recommended: yes, even though occasional crashes with birds must be still expected, the window mesh will protect both window and bird

Tip # 4 - ultraviolet window decals
Like the paper hawk stickers, these decals are also to be sticked on the window, the difference is that they are transparent for people (so that you can still enjoy the view from the window) but opaque for birds. This is achieved by special layer of the decal which reflects the ultraviolet (UV) light making it visible for the birds. The window decals are not meant to threat the birds (like the paper predator stickers) but rather to create a virtual wall visible on for them therefore one decal is not enough and you will have to buy them many and literally wallpaper the window with them which makes this method little too expensive.
Price: usually $100+/window
Recommended: yes, even though occasional crashes with birds are still possible
So what is the best method to keep birds from crashing into windows?
In my opinion it is the window screens. At medium cost you will get reliable shield protecting both bird and window. Currently there are many window screens available on the market that last quite long time (e.g. vinyl covered fiberglass screens), their installation is easy and require almost no maintenance (shower them twice a year in the bathtub, that’s all).

December 31st, 2008 by PetGuru

Proper selection of feeders bird baths will transform your garden in to a hub of cheerful activity. All the chirping of the wild birds around the wild bird feeders and bird baths will be music to ears. Birding will be a rewarding hobby for you if you pay attention to the needs of the birds and their security. There are so many models available in the market that you may compromise security and the needs of the birds for beauty and design. Ideally, the bird baths and feeders should be a combination of both looks and utility.

The bird bath is an artificial puddle of water created for the birds to have bath and drink water. A shallow basin is put on a pedestal and a depth of two inches is sufficient for the wild birds, as they do not submerge their entire body in the water. They just dip their wings and splash water all over the body. You can heat up the water in bird bath with solar bird baths. The wild and migratory birds can get warm water to bathe in during the winter from your backyard. You can even add a suet bird feeder during the winter months.

The hobby of birding comes with certain responsibilities. Ensuring a hygienic environment for the wild birds is one of them. When you want to enjoy the company of the colorful winged guests, you also need to be prepared to take care of the cleanliness of the feeders bird baths. If left unclean, the bird bath and the bird feeder can be a breeding ground of killer viruses and bacteria. Regular scrubbing of the bird baths and bird feeders and treating the water with special tablets will ensure that the birds feed and bath in a healthy environment.

Cats and birds of prey would love a meal of birds if the can manage to get one or two from your feeders bird baths. To prevent this eventuality, the feeder and bird bath should be placed near a big tree or a bush. That would ensure that the wild birds can fly to safety when there is an attack from birds of prey or cats. A safe environment will ensure that they drop in to your garden every time they fly over. You will be pleased to have different types of birds at different times of the year, every year.

December 31st, 2008 by PetGuru

Getting the attention of birds of varied species is actually a fun and a relaxing way to spend time with your whole family right in your own backyard. Everything basically starts by providing the right bird feeding environment. And the only way to do that is by having plenty of wild bird food in an appropriate feeder. Choosing the right bird feeder for your yard starts by understanding the species that are indigenous to your area, as well as those that you wish to attract. So how do you choose the most ideal bird feeder?

The first thing to do is to learn more about the varied types of feeders. In general, the various species of birds can use any one of the four varieties of feeders, which are the hopper bird feeders, tube feeders, tray feeders, and the suet bird feeders. The most common of them are the hopper feeders and typically they look like a gazebo or a barn. On the other hand, a tube feeder is cylindrical in shape and is designed with a number of perches, with tiny holes in the tube for feeding. Tray feeders, also called platform feeders or ground feeders, can provide you with an unobstructed view of birds since you can place these feeders close to the ground. These types of feeders generally have an open design. Suet feeders are made from wires and hold suet cakes. Aside from these four common types, there is also the Hummingbird feeder, which will attract this incredibly unique bird for your viewing pleasure.

Once you understand the four major bird feeders, the next step is to find out the types of birds you wish to attract. In bird viewing, you can quite possibly attract many birds of different varieties, yet some of them may need different types of birdseed. However, hopper feeders can work well with almost all types of bird seed. If you wish to attract smaller and more interesting bird types, then tube feeders are the answer. These are generally ideal for watching Nuthatches or Chickadees. On the other hand, larger bird species are great viewed when feeding on platform or ground feeders. Aside from providing bird seeds, find time also to observe your yard for any predators. To avoid squirrels, you can opt for the suet or tube feeders since these are excellent squirrel proof bird feeder options. But then again, any type of feeder is suitable as long as you place them in spots and areas where squirrels do not have easy access.

Birds of various species will eat almost any types of seed, in general, yet if you can, provide them with seeds of top quality. Also, keep the feeders clean and full to the top. Migratory birds will visit as they fly from north to south and back again, and your family will be richer for the experience.

December 23rd, 2008 by KittyKitty

Moving is hard enough but when you’re relocating with pets you’ll have unique challenges. Pets can become very disoriented when relocating to a new locale. There’s no way to explain to them what you’re doing, so it’s vital to make sure you’re making the transition as easy as possible for them.

The best way to make sure that they’re as comfortable as possible is to keep them by your side during the entire move. This means that you’ll likely want to look into truck rentals for moving. You’ll be able to move everything yourself and keep your dog, cat or other pet right by your side. This will decrease the amount of hassle that your animal will have to endure.

There are many options for cheap moving trucks. One choice is to look into a relocating truck rental. These will be big trucks that you can move your whole homes worth of belongings in. There are many sizes available with this choice. If you’re simply relocating from a one bedroom apartment to another, you’ll probablywant to obtain a smaller sized truck. For those relocating a 3 or 4 bedroom home to another large house, you’ll probably want to get a much larger truck. When deciding what the best size is for you, it’s a good idea to either do research online to learn about other people’s experience or talk directly to the relocating company you’re considering.

There are other options for moving truck rental beyond the big trucks you’re used to seeing. For example, you might decide to simply rent a small truck for just the most vital things. You could hire a full service moving companies to move the remainder of your belongings. If you choose this choice and you have pets, be sure that you include their bedding, food and water bowls and toys in your truck. Those are items you’ll want to have ready for them as soon as they make it to your new place. It will help them feel much more comfortable and they’ll feel much more like they’re at home.

If your animal is having trouble transitioning to the new house, the first thing you should finish is make sure that you are not changing up their routine more than you need to. While your new house might have a few small differences, try to continue to feed, walk and play with your animal at the same time of day that you were in your old house. Pets do notice and appreciate the same routine and this will help to make the transition as easy as possible for everyone involved.

December 9th, 2008 by KittyKitty

People that have pets consider them to be a part of the family. Normally, they don’t stop to consider how difficult it can be relocating with pets. A animal is much like a child when it comes to relocating. They will need to stop and take often potty breaks. You want to make sure that when you do stop in an unknown area to take your pet to the bathroom that you think about safety. A well lit, well populated area would be best. Rest areas are often a good place to stop for your pet to take care of business. One way to make sure you can stop in safe areas is to plan your trip ahead of time. This will give you the ability to know how far apart rest areas are. Another way to avoid having to stop more often is to travel during the time of day when your animal sleeps the most.

When choosing a moving truck rental, you should keep in mind that you want to have room for your family pet. Most of these trucks aren’t very spacious. To be safe you should keep your animal in a crate. Most states are now enforcing laws that don’t allow drivers to have their pets in their lap as they drive. This is in effect as a safety precaution to protect all drivers. You will usually find that truck rentals for moving don’t usually have stipulations about pets, as long as they don’t find any damage or messes. In a case where there were any damages or messes in the truck, you would be charged a fee either for cleaning or repair work.

Many pets don’t enjoy long car trips, so in order to prevent any unnecessary cleaning costs from a animal that gets sick in a car, it would be good to keep them in their own crate. If your family pet doesn’t particularly care for utilizing a crate, you could offer them their favorite toy or blanket to keep them happy.

Many companies offer cheap moving trucks. You will frequently see that the deals are best for shorter trips. You should go over your quote before signing any paperwork, making sure if all mileage is included, if you need to fill the truck up before returning it, and what, if any, hidden fees there are. By making sure that your truck is clean and up to the contracts stipulations before returning it you will be able to avoid any hidden costs that you would otherwise get.

December 2nd, 2008 by KittyKitty

For those preparing to move, having animals adds another variable to an already complicated process. When moving with an animal, owners need to do so in a manner that will give the most seamless transition for an animal. Animals can get stressed out while moving just like humans do. moving truck rental is the most common way people move their stuff from one house to another. Value-conscious consumers may just be looking for cheap moving trucks, but pet owners also want to consider whether their pet’s needs will be met. Make sure the cab of any truck you rent is large enough for your animal’s carrier and any people passengers.

Cats are very vulnerable to the stress of relocation. Experts say to leave your cat in its old home as long as as you can. This can be accomplished by closing your cat in one room with a litterbox, food, water, and favorite toys. You should then only move your cat to its carrier when you are leaving the house. Do not put your cat in the back of the moving truck with tables and other items shifting around. Your cat could get injured or suffer from extreme stress. Upon arrival to your new home, take your cat’s items out and again limit the cat to only a single room for at least a few hours.

For dogs, they are less vulnerable to stress, but also need to be kept safe. Your canine can be left in the home until you are nearly ready to leave. Load your dog up in its carrier or portable kennel, including food or water if the trip is a long one. Dogs also should not be put in the back of the truck with your belongings. If your dog is a big one, you may need a truck with a big cab or more passenger seating.

truck rentals for moving are generally a safe form of movement for other animals, such as fish and birds. Just put fish either in bags or larger containers like buckets. The key with fish is providing air, and maintaining temperature. Birds are also vulnerable to stress and temperature extremes. A cover can be used to keep a birdcage at a steady temperature when moving outdoors. These types of animals should also be kept in the cab of a vehicle for their safety.

All pets need some adjustment time when moving to a new home. Be gentle with your pet for the first few days, and monitor health to be sure that they are well. It is also wise to visit your veterinarian prior to the move to be sure that your pet is in good health before moving.

November 29th, 2008 by PetGuru

With many people reverting back to the good old days of growing your own veg and keeping your own chickens for eggs, some folks are asking me “what types of chickens can I keep that my children will be safe with and will make good pets”

It is a sure fact that some breeds of hen are not suitable for keeping as both pets and for eggs however, there is one breed that is both full of charater and will keep you in eggs throughout the year.

The Rhode Island Red:

Rhode Island Reds are a good breed to choose if you want to keep a small flock of dual-purpose chickens. They are great for both egg production and also as pets.

The average hen lays large brown eggs and is also very freiendly so long as they are given teh chance to get to know you. Once you have them used to you they will let you stroke them, pick them up and generally fuss over them - in fact they love to have their feathers stroked.

The hens lay an average of about 260 eggs per year which is an ample amount to keep you in a small business if you have more than a couple of them. The Cock is NOT suitable - only hens as the Cock will be aggressive and noisy (and obviously does not lay eggs).

The Rhode Island Red is one of the most popular breeds but it is also one of the more recently developed breeds as well. It got its name from being bred and developed in Rhode Island in the 1830s but it was also developed in Massachusetts. It’s breeding is a combination of Brown Leghorns, Cochins and Malays. It gets it’s deep rich red color from the Malay influence in its breeding.

You can get more information about keeping chickens from www.chickenkeepers.co.uk

November 28th, 2008 by KittyKitty

The dog is man’s best friend and no matter what happens, it will always stay that way. If you have kids and a Shiba Inu together in the house, it’s best that you set his attitudes straight with the help of not just any kind of training but a specific Shiba Inu Training. The dog, not the kid. Anyway, Shiba Inu dogs, when very young, always behave the way dogs really do behave. An untrained pet like this would make a real number on your house most specifically chewing on your shoes, on the carpet. Sometimes, they get their enjoyment by peeing being on your shoes, on your carpet, on your leg or on your kid or the worse, poo droppings. Of course, you have to be patient and caring for him and the best way to show this kind of trait is to find the best Shiba Inu training guide online.