Today I was outside doing various chores all day so the girls were free ranging. They were in and out of their coop all day long as they pleased. Later this afternoon the girls were in the middle of the backyard when all of a sudden my dog, Peaches, comes from the side yard, runs past the girls to the edge of the woods and all H*** breaks loose. I hear all sorts of barking, growling, and hissing. Up the tree goes one raccoon while she is still arguing with the other. I called her off and up the tree goes the other coon. Needless to say the coons were relocated to a more permanent location where they will not bother my girls any more! 
As if this wasn't enough for the day about 20 minutes before sunset a very large hawk flies just over the girls and landed in the large oak in our back yard. The girls all ran for cover by me near the back porch. I went to scare of they hawk and when I turned around my dog had gathered all the girls in the corner by the porch and was standing on alert!
Our girls are 11 weeks old and have been raised around the Peach since day 1. I have wondered how she would act around them when a predator was around and now I know, she has taken the flock on as her own and she is there to protect. She interacts with them all the time and really has never shown any sign of aggression towards them. I am so happy with her guardian attitude today. She earned a piece of pork off the roast tonight for her good work! I won't ever let my guard down but I do have a better feeling now.
Here is a pic of her with the girls when they were obviously much smaller!
