English Shepherd as Poultry Guardian

[fisherlady]

I thoroughly dislike that phrase as it does not make neighbors good, just creates more delineated boundaries that are harder to cross and sometimes communicated past. When growing up we had a much larger expanse of land and dogs were able to free-range it. This new reality is being imposed by smaller parcels of land and more people with dogs, especially dogs without gainful employment.

We already have 3/4 of perimeter fenced in. Balance is going to be the problem as it will be without precedence.

The phrase isn't very nice, but a good neighbor wouldn't create a need for a fence, when people are insensitive or irresponsible then I consider the fence a defensive tool, even if they may consider it an offensive one...

I to grew up in an area where fences weren't needed for anything other than some livestock which liked to roam, but it was also a place and time where folks trained their animals (and kids) to be respectful, and took responsibility when that didn't happen.

 

[centrarchid]

Some kids and some dogs have always not been respectful. Always been some of that but more prevalent here and now.

 

[aart]

It's kind of like, locks keep the honest honest.

 

[dekel18042]

I has been surveyed recently immediately prior to purchase of our land, markers still present, and fencing was in place before being cut down by party cutting hay off me without asking first. I was just in discussion with wife and we will be reinstalling hot-wire / ribbon more to serve as obvious property boundary demarker.

I was going to say put up really cheap fence, the kind where the post are hammered in and the wire hung and then set up a surveillance camera.

 

[centrarchid]

Neighbors now two dogs are integrated into our pack. Female has come into heat greatly aiding her efforts. I am now having to restrain my male leaving only neutered female out at night. Lots of drama with Ben trying to get out. Two neighbor dogs not a threat to poultry nor small kids. The two appear to be half-siblings. Common parent (dam) appears to be Border Collie while the females father was an LGD of some sort and the males father appears to be a Pit Bull. Latter is intact and will likely cover what Ben cannot. Ben does like girls a lot.

 

[hellbender]

Neighbors now two dogs are integrated into our pack. Female has come into heat greatly aiding her efforts. I am now having to restrain my male leaving only neutered female out at night. Lots of drama with Ben trying to get out. Two neighbor dogs not a threat to poultry nor small kids. The two appear to be half-siblings. Common parent (dam) appears to be Border Collie while the females father was an LGD of some sort and the males father appears to be a Pit Bull. Latter is intact and will likely cover what Ben cannot. Ben does like girls a lot.

That's a lot of protective fire power if they work together against varmints.

Jason...#1 Son of hellbender

 

[centrarchid]

Just a bit ago a Coyote stationed itself down in the woods about 600 feet to south behind house. It was barking a lot. I quietly left house to investigate while dogs patrolled to east. As I got within 100 feet of the Coyote the dogs came back into the yard where they could see me. They barked back in response to the Coyote. Wind was not in my favor and I could hear changes in Coyote's voice as it first got my scent then saw me before running off. I wonder why Coyotes periodically do so much barking. Pups it has were not evident as they often come into woods apparently to play.

 

[dekel18042]

Just a bit ago a Coyote stationed itself down in the woods about 600 feet to south behind house. It was barking a lot. I quietly left house to investigate while dogs patrolled to east. As I got within 100 feet of the Coyote the dogs came back into the yard where they could see me. They barked back in response to the Coyote. Wind was not in my favor and I could hear changes in Coyote's voice as it first got my scent then saw me before running off. I wonder why Coyotes periodically do so much barking. Pups it has were not evident as they often come into woods apparently to play.

Sounds to me like the coyotes were hoping to play one of their oldest coyote tricks. Several will send one out in front to attract the attention of a dog. This one will act coy and even engage the dog in play if possible. Then it will either try to lead the dog back to the waiting coyotes or in some cases the dog will chase the lone one and fall prey to the waiting pack or family group.

 

[centrarchid]

This coyote pack of several is made up of two adults and pups that are only about 15 lbs each. Coyote doing barking was adult male. If intended target my dogs then, Coyotes not using their smarts. My smallest dog has 15 lbs on male Coyote and we are now effectively three with additional dog being 1/2 Great Pyrenees. Leading a larger pack in does not seem to be what is going on. Additionally it was me that was lured in.

 

[OrganicFarmWife]

My uncle lost two full grown Rottweilers to coyotes luring them out and ambushing. Size does not always matter between a wild animal and a domestic one.
And coyotes would kill you given a chance too.