English Shepherd as Poultry Guardian

[centrarchid]

Chickens are getting out past where I want to where game cameras are located.

 

[fisherlady]

If the dogs aren't loose in that area they will be at risk from the neighbors again. Ours tend to venture pretty far behind our place also. They love the tall grasses along the power line and edge of the wooded area. Short of restraining them to a fenced chicken yard it is difficult to keep them from roaming surprisingly far. I walk the dogs in their favored area daily so the dogs can scent mark the area pretty heavy. Hopefully the birds can get up into a low branch or top of a few log piles if they are threatened.

 

[centrarchid]

Daughter and dogs dispatched a Black Rat Snake. Normally we simply relocate, but currently we got a lot of them. They are consuming too many eggs. Other snakes still left alone. One of the older hens stays near nest even when foraging to chase things away from her clutch even before start of incubation. She got one brood off early and lost two before starting current clutch. She also got into it with a Black Ray Snake on at least one of the two clutches lost. She knows her foe. Lucy and possible chickens will eat snake.

 

[centrarchid]

Dogs are eating apples taking them down from tree. They seem to prefer Arkansas blacks. Typically they would be consuming green persimmons at this time of year.

 

[centrarchid]

We are getting very close to installing a perimeter fence for about 6 acres of our property that will enclose house, barn and outbuildings. Cost estimated between $21,000 to $24,000. That will be further subdivided for rotational grazing by sheep and goats to keep understory open for chickens. We are also going to have seven very heavy duty chicken pens that will be arranged in row and elevated. The dogs will have a very complex environment. Later another six acres of so will be setup for grazing without concern for chickens. Those locations will likely be grazed only during day.

 

[centrarchid]

Getting real close having a perimeter fence now!

 

[Aunt Angus]

View attachment 3244192View attachment 3244193Getting real close having a perimeter fence now!

Yay!!!!!

The sky in that 2nd pic = gorgeous.

 

[centrarchid]

Deconstruction of existing fencing has started. Dogs are pinned up keep them out the way.

 

[centrarchid]

As fencing work is getting underway, my favorite neighbor is challenging location of survey markers. Fence installers delaying some of work where ground is in contention. The neighbor is a pain in the butt. In past he cut and took my hay and planted fruit trees on me. He is persistent at being a nuisance. He refuses to even look close to where the markers are supposed to be. Maybe someone wants to adopt him?

 

[centrarchid]

And I got the crap stung out of me by a bunch of tiny little yellow jackets. That pretty much wore me out.