Category Archives: Animals

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Dogs and Agriculture

Dogs have been bred for a variety of purposes throughout history, including as working animals to support agriculture. Dogs have been bred for specific traits that make them well-suited to work on farms, such as intelligence, obedience, strength, and endurance*.

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* Here are a few examples of how dogs were bred to support agriculture:

Herding dogs: Dogs such as the Border Collie, Australian Cattle Dog, and German Shepherd were bred to help farmers manage livestock by herding them from one place to another. These dogs have a natural instinct to gather and control herds of animals, and they can be trained to respond to a farmer’s commands.

Hunting dogs: Many breeds of dogs, such as the Labrador Retriever, were originally bred as hunting dogs to assist farmers with hunting game for food. These dogs have a keen sense of smell and are skilled at tracking and retrieving prey.

Guard dogs: Certain breeds of dogs, such as the Great Pyrenees, were bred to protect livestock from predators such as wolves and bears. These dogs are fiercely protective of their flock and will guard them from any perceived threat.

Draft dogs: Some large breeds of dogs, such as the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Saint Bernard, were bred to pull carts and wagons on farms. These dogs are strong and muscular and can move heavy loads across long distances.

Overall, dogs have been bred for centuries to support agriculture in a variety of ways. Their intelligence, loyalty, and hardworking nature have made them invaluable assets to farmers and have helped to shape the course of human history.

Animal domestication

Ireland

Related:

Learning from the Wild Things

Dogs and Agriculture

City Chickens 101

Standards Utah

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Utah State University Extension

There are a few campuses in the USA and UK where chickens are allowed to roam freely, often as part of educational programs or sustainability initiatives.

In the USA, some examples include:

University of California, Davis: The campus has a farm that includes free-range chickens as part of its agricultural programs.
Bard College: They have a farm that features free-range chickens, contributing to their sustainable agriculture practices.

In the UK, examples include:

University of Edinburgh: They have had initiatives where chickens roam freely as part of urban farming projects.
Kingston University: Their campus has included chickens in community gardening efforts.
These programs often emphasize sustainability, education, and the benefits of local food production.

Small scale chicken farming, as in residential and even in educational settlements, are regulated at the local level by municipalities, cities, or counties. Local ordinances vary widely with some common elements including:

  1. Zoning Laws: These laws determine whether residential areas can keep chickens and in what capacity. Some areas may prohibit chickens entirely, while others may allow a limited number.
  2. Permit Requirements: Some localities require residents to obtain a permit to keep chickens.
  3. Coop Specifications: Regulations may include specific requirements for chicken coops, such as size, location, and sanitation standards.
  4. Noise and Nuisance Laws: Rules may be in place to manage noise and odors, ensuring that chickens do not become a nuisance to neighbors.
  5. Health and Safety Codes: These codes can cover the cleanliness of the area where chickens are kept, as well as guidelines for feeding and waste disposal to prevent attracting pests or creating health hazards.

Related:

Animal domestication

Learning from the Wild Things

Protecting Animals When Disaster Strikes

Animal Safety

 

Pros and Cons of Owning A Dog During College

Getting a dog during college can be an exciting thought for many students who are leaving home and are experiencing their first taste of true freedom; However, many young adults fail to consider the responsibilities and obligations that come with owning a dog while in school.

Apart from the necessity as companions for students with disabilities; consider the following:

Pros:

They can lead to decreased stress.

Dogs have the incredible ability to make you feel more relaxed and less stressed. A study actually found that when people took care of dogs for just three months, they showed significant drops in blood pressure and reactivity to stress. Thereโ€™s no better feeling than coming home after a long day to your furry best friend whoโ€™s thrilled to see you.

They help motivate you to exercise.

Daily exercise is an essential part of a dogโ€™s well-being and absolutely cannot be neglected. However, this requirement becomes mutually beneficial because it also ensures that youโ€™re getting outside daily, intaking sunlight, and getting your own exercise. Even if youโ€™re having a rough day and donโ€™t feel like doing much, your dog will make sure that you go outside and get moving.

They make great companions if you live alone.

Dogs can be fantastic companions for students who choose to live alone. Living by yourself can be lonely. Your pet can serve as a companion to keep you occupied, as well as a solid guard dog when needed (or you can at least let them think they are).

Cons:

They require a time and patience.

If youโ€™re thinking about getting a dog in college, be prepared to commit tons of time and attention to them. Training sessions will be vitally important in ensuring that your dog is potty-trained, can behave on a leash, and can be trusted around other dogs. Youโ€™ll also have to make time for vet appointments, play time, and letting them out on a consistent basis.

They can be expensive.

Dogs can be extremely expensive. Between vet bills, food, toys, and general dog supplies, the costs can quickly add up. Assessing your financial situation beforehand and determining whether or not now is the right time for you to get a dog, is absolutely essential.

They can cut into your social life; although can expand your social life with a starting point for common conversation with other dog lovers.

Like it or not, having a dog will cut into your social time with your friends. Staying out until 4 am on the weekends or being away from your house for 12 hours at a time is no longer feasible when your pet is waiting for you at home. Plan to make arrangements to fit your dogโ€™s needs, which may mean missing out on social activities from time to time.

 

Readings

University of Michigan:ย Animals on Campus

North Central Michigan College

20 Pet Friendly Colleges

Standards Michigan: Animals

“Nipper” RCA Victor

Water Smart Farms

NSW Government | Department of Primary Industries

 

Water 100

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