Quote:
It's the best way Jake, my chicks get introduced to all the cats and dogs right out of the bator. My other dogs understand what is off limits, the cats actually guard the chickens and kill wild birds and rodents that enter the yard, but this one dog... She is TOTALLY alpaha, and as much as I tried to teach her proper manners and etiquette she just won't listen and learn. Sad for her, I've known her since she was an hour old, but I'm done. If I had stopped to grab a weapon yesterday this would all be acedemic by now. I wouldn't have hesitated.
I emailed Lisa about guardian dogs and she sent me the link for National Great Pyr rescue. I'll be researching a new dog.
Michelle, I don't know what your price range is, but there was a couple at the swap meet at Animal Food Warehouse this past weekend with a litter of stunning Great Pyr puppies. For poultry, especially, I would think a puppy raised with the flock might be the way to go. I don't know if the parents have a working background or not. It's a small enough community, I'm sure we could track them down if you're interested. (The pups were $500.)
So sorry about the loss of your birds.
Thanks for the info Rachel, I didn't know about the swap meet till I was driving past it. Don't know how I missed the memo. I have done some reading about pyrs and many are listed as not being suitable for free range chickens. That kind of scares me although maybe it's different if the pups are raised around birds. Although, much of what they know is taught by the parents and I'm not sure how long that "teaching" goes on (ie: what age the pup is ready to be placed with it's new family). I feel like I need to learn a little more before I jump in over my head.
there was a guy advertising on the Yahoo poultry group last year that he had pyrs, I was thinking of getting a pyr for my goats but decided to rehome the goats before the divorce. I wonder if it was the same guy.