English Shepherd as Poultry Guardian

[Perris]

they sound a bit feral; I hope no real injuries were sustained, and the lesson not to rush in was learned by the youngsters.

 

[centrarchid]

Dogs in this case are not feral. A household maintains the dogs through feeding and periodic confinement. There are too many dogs in the area that are kept like I do my free-range game chickens.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Good thing you have your dogs with you.

 

[centrarchid]

Dogs and I took predawn stroll and came back to hear a game rooster giving a low intensity alarm. Dogs ran over and picked up scent of fox that was almost out of sight. Dogs chased fox for a couple minutes, then came back panting obviously satisfied as was eye. Fox comes by a lot more than it actually causes trouble. Our rabbit population is very good this year. Beautiful morning all around. Chickens coming off roost later and later. We had an excellent weekend too where Honey protected chickens around house all by herself.

 

[centrarchid]

Actual pictures.

 

[centrarchid]

It is crazy outside with coyotes and great-horned owls!

 

[centrarchid]

Pack of all females different when responding to coyotes when compared to presence of an adult male. Females held back without howling and all barking down from essentially the front porch. Female in barn was totally quite.

Owls did not breed successfully now for three years in a row. They are squabbling and vying for mates and territory now for another go with eggs in nest by early January. Displays appear to have involved bird feeder outside son's bedroom window.

Two kids and I shared the double sized upper bunk last night. My son has really big feet and my daughter has hard heals. We sleep like the Croods.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Do you know why the owls haven't been breeding sucessfully?

 

[centrarchid]

Owing to how high they are on the food chain, I think it is related to activities of other owls. The environment here may be saturated with Great-horned Owls. Raccoons might be getting some. I have a neighbor that appears to be shooting owls but losses are occuring before owlets start flying around and begging for food. Loss of even one parent I think would end an owl brood.

 

[centrarchid]

Appear to have found neighbor that is source of chicken carcasses over last few months. it appears their dogs kill the chickens on occasion and the chain of possession ends here where my dogs and even my chickens dispose of remains.