bald eagle. legal options?

[AmyLM]

Eagle killed two more two more today. Now hes not even eating them. Hes tearing the feathers out and leaving the carcasses. We are keeping all of our birds locked inside now. We hate doing that but as far as we can tell via a head count today we have lost 16 birds in 3 weeks. We cant afford to loose birds like this. Hes not eve. Eating them. Just killing them.

 

[OnlyOrps]

My great pyrenees don't allow any raptors to fly overhead. They chase, bark, growl and leap into the air. I had eagles trying to set up a nest and my dogs harassed them for three days until they abandoned the nest and left. Maybe an LGD will help..?

 

[AmyLM]

Thats what we are thinking. We have never kept dogs outside though. They have always been members of our family. I dont know about the whole locking the dogs outside thing.

 

[centrarchid]

Can you show a picture of this eagle and where it does its hunting on your flock.

 

[centrarchid]

Thats what we are thinking. We have never kept dogs outside though. They have always been members of our family. I dont know about the whole locking the dogs outside thing.

Some dogs can do the duel role but you need to make so they can monitor flock from inside home and be above go in and out of house through a doggie door. This means an additional level of training and house would get messed. Most dogs kept indoors as pets will not be as invested in protecting property hence the need for training. A big advantage that can be realized with dogs accessing house is they can inform you of problems they can not handle. We occasionally tree coons or catch one in the live trap so one of my dogs comes in and does the Lassie thing to bring me out. That is better than dogs wearing themselves out going after something they cannot reach or ultimately tearing up teeth trying.

Many of the mollosar type LGD's are well suited for cold but heat can be more problematic.

 

[Texas4T]

Thats what we are thinking. We have never kept dogs outside though. They have always been members of our family. I dont know about the whole locking the dogs outside thing.

Our dogs are family, but they prefer to be outdoors, they have been whelped and raised in the barn, bonded to their livestock. You cant even drag the Pyrs inside! They recognize us as pack leaders and protect us and our children, too. LGDs have more awareness of their jobs than other breeds somehow. Dont get me wrong, its possible to condition them to house life, but in my 14 yrs of working with LGDs, including rehoming and rescues, indoor dogs are often ruined for guardian duty, even with years of training. You just have to realize they have been bred for this for 1000s of years, and they like it outside. They like to have purpose, and can be destructive if bored. If you choose a guardian, be sure it is right for you and that you are committed to the task. LGDs are no lapdogs...(though they do crawl into your lap for a cuddle sometimes, all 100+ lbs of them!).

 

[OnlyOrps]

Our dogs are family, but they prefer to be outdoors, they have been whelped and raised in the barn, bonded to their livestock. You cant even drag the Pyrs inside! They recognize us as pack leaders and protect us and our children, too. LGDs have more awareness of their jobs than other breeds somehow. Dont get me wrong, its possible to condition them to house life, but in my 14 yrs of working with LGDs, including rehoming and rescues, indoor dogs are often ruined for guardian duty, even with years of training. You just have to realize they have been bred for this for 1000s of years, and they like it outside. They like to have purpose, and can be destructive if bored. If you choose a guardian, be sure it is right for you and that you are committed to the task. LGDs are no lapdogs...(though they do crawl into your lap for a cuddle sometimes, all 100+ lbs of them!).

Ditto 100%

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Yes, LGD have been bred to live outdoors with their charges in all types of weather.

 

[chicknshrimp]

You know you want some

 

[OnlyOrps]

You know you want some

They're the greatest! I have a thread dedicated to LGDS and dogs that protect the farm:https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/962963/lgd-love#post_14994911