solsticexolos

[solsticexolos]

For your consideration, my commissions are open!

My cartoons are $10 per character, and more detailed pieces start at $20, with sketches being $5 per sketch or full sheets for $15.

#artblr #digital art #art #commissionwork #dogblr #petblr

[solsticexolos]

Bourbon du Val du Bois, call name Bumi

My sweet baby boy Malinois! He's 2 and a half months old and learning to do French Ring!

#dog #dogblr #frenchring #ringsport #puppy #belgian malinois #malinois #cute #video #bitesport #protectionsport

[solsticexolos]

@homeofhousechickens recomended me to you for Russian Orffs as cold resistant chickens. But now I'm intrested do they do well in heat too. Cause where I'm living currently it can get up to 118°F(max) But also fall to freezing temps of -89°F and lower I think. (We live in east washington along the Columbia river. The weather is wack.) Though if my mom's dreams of moving to Montana become real it would make it easier.

Hello!

Goodness that's quite the temperature range!

So as far as environmental hardiness, let's go over the Russian Orloff traits:

1. The Beard. A tick, full beard that is attached to a dewlap protects the race and throat area from cold, preventing frostbite. The lack of wattles means less exposed flesh, and greater heat retention.

2. The Comb. A small, raspberry comb negates the risk of frostbite, but still provides surface area for heat to escape from, allowing for thermoregulation.

3. The Beak. Orloffs have a short, stout beak with a sharp curve in the shape. The shorter beak means better heat retention, making them more hardy in cold. However the robust shape and size of the beak balance it out.

4. The Plumage. Orloffs are a soft feathered breed, so they keep a lot of air trapped underneath their feathers. This allows that air to act as insulation from both heat and cold, maintaining their surface skin temperature.

5. The Legs. Unlike many proclaimed cold hardy breeds, Orloffs have clean, unfeathered legs. Their legs are also quite long! This provides ample surface area for heat to escape from, as well as prevented to buildup of moisture and mud and drastically reducing the risk frostbite to the toes.

Overall they are best adapted to cold as an extreme, rather than heat. However, their clean legs and generally leaner musculature help them survive in heat, as well. For heat it really comes down to providing them with the best opportunity to stay comfortable:

Lots of shady areas, preferably on ground so that they can dig out a scrape to lay down in, out of the sun.

Fresh water available and readily accessible at all times, preferably in a dish that'll allow them to dip their beak in and soak their beard, as the evaporation will help them stay cool.

Docile birds and a low stress environment. Feeling safe and secure will allow them to stay calm and avoid pacing or crowding behavior that will result in over heating.

A shallow pool of water that they can stand in, as Orloffs are well known to do in order to cool off.

For cold their needs are pretty simple, and that's mainly a dry area to get out of the wind. Heated waterers will make your life easier, and dry is even more important than warm.

Overall Orloffs could thrive well, better than any feather-legged breed in that heat, for sure. And better than most other breeds in that kind of cold. My other suggestion would be Chanteclers, which are famously cold hardy and also typically good in heat, though being a little heavier in body can mean they won't do as well in extreme heat.

Furthermore, there are some great breeders out your way! Rare Feathers Farms (Heather Spaet) and High Hopes Farm (Mia Fasillis.) I'm also able to ship birds during spring and fall when average daytime temps are below 78°F.

Hope this all helps!

#ask #diamondblueorchid #orloffs #russian orloffs #chickens #chickenblr #cold hardy

[solsticexolos]

Safe and cozy

#xolo #Xoloitzcuintle #Xoloitzcuintli #dogblr #dog

[solsticexolos]

Venus :)

#chickenblr #poultry #chickens #birblr #chicken #petblr #my chickens #russian orloff #orloff

[solsticexolos]

Yes, and 22" (48 lbs) and 14.5" (16 lbs)

poll time: were YOU a dinosaur kid? and if so how big are the dogs you now own?

[solsticexolos]

They're at greater risk for frostbite, and if poorly bred will be prone to ingrown feathers on their feet which can be quite uncomfortable and risk infection. They also often become soiled easily, which can mean they're more likely to track gross things wherever they go.

Lighter feathering like that on Langshans, versus the heavy feathering on Cochins, tends to be healthier in terms of function.

If you're climate is generally dry and doesn't get very cold, then they'll do fine.

Question for other chicken owners

I've been looking at different breeds to add to my flock in the future and a few breeds I like have feathered feet. Do feathered feet birds require a lot of extra care?? Are they worth the hassle??

#chickens #poultry #birblr #chickenblr

[solsticexolos]

How do you keep your xolo’s skin healthy? Do you notice it’s a lot of extra work compared to a traditionally coated dog or just a different kind of work?

It's very straightforward! She gets bathed every other week, and after she's dried off I apply lotion. It doesn't take any more time than maintenance for many coated dogs, and presents a good time to check her over for anything possibly concerning (weird lumps, bug bites, etc.)

Though ease of skincare is heavily impacted by genetics and diet!

#dogblr #ask #xolo #Xoloitzcuintle #Xoloitzcuintli

[solsticexolos]

Oh to be a Dinkin' Dad

Bluemink with babies is happy Bluemink.

#chickenblr #poultry #chickens #birblr #chicken #petblr #my chickens #russian orloff #orloff

[solsticexolos]

A handful of the Orloff x Sanjak babies are developing cute little crests! They don't have vaulted skulls, so the crests will be quite small (and healthy!), I suspect mostly looking like tassels. The first photo is a cockerel, the second a pullet. Father is Bluemink, mother is Grackle (or Junco, may she rest in peace, but Grackle seems more likely with these colors.)

Can't believe how fast these babies are growing! Grackle is an awesome momma.

#chickenblr #poultry #chickens #birblr #chicken #petblr #my chickens

[solsticexolos]

🌄🎷🐓🌈

[solsticexolos]

I hope this guy gets friendlier, because he is so handsome!

Mahogany cockerel that Dahlia hatched, no name yet.

#chickenblr #poultry #chickens #birblr #chicken #petblr #my chickens #russian orloff #orloff

[solsticexolos]

Her babies, they grow

#chickenblr #poultry #chickens #birblr #chicken #petblr #my chickens #russian orloff #orloff #sanjak #sanjak long-crower

[solsticexolos]

Leopard gecko enclosure! I haven't had a gecko in many years, and back when I did have some, I didn't know enough about them to really have them thrive. They did well enough, but lacked enrichment.

For a while now I've been wanting a gecko again, but now I'm equipped with more knowledge and experience...so I can make a beautiful space that is both aesthetically pleasing to me, and useful/engaging for the gecko!

Of course we've got our three hides. The hot hide:

The moist hide:

And the cool hide:

There is also a warm hide in the back the tank, and some spaces around/under the plants that provide good cover. Cork bark, lava rock, petrified wood, ceramic, and rock provide many different surface textures to enjoy. Plus a decent amount of open space for hunting and hanging out.

And I found this little gem which I'm using as a calcium dish! It's a geode :)

Excited to get a wee geck into it!

#petblr #pets #reptile #herp #enclosure #vivarium #gecko #leo #leopard gecko

[solsticexolos]

Three baby girls! Photinia, Cactus, and Venus 💕

#chickenblr #poultry #chickens #birblr #chicken #petblr #my chickens #russian orloff

[solsticexolos]

Oh to be a comfy sunshined bird!

#chickenblr #poultry #chickens #birblr #chicken #petblr #my chickens #russian orloff

[solsticexolos]