Tonight I have a very cute little muscovy duckling sitting beside me in a brooder. A friend of mine was shocked to see her Maremma Sheepdog she has as a flock protector bring this little guy up to the house in its mouth. It wasnt actually trying to eat the duckling- as it would have very quickly if that was the dogs intention - but was carrying it up to the house. It was almost as if the dog knew something was wrong. It was the only one to hatch- and wouldnt have had much chance to survive at her place this time of year with the mother abandoning it. After having the incubator off for a few weeks break- its been a little while since having a newly hatched baby here - and even after such a short break- this little one looks just so tiny. Im sure my Runners hatch bigger than this one is. It has a very cute black dot on its head- and a few tiny scratches on its beak either from hatching - or from being in the dogs mouth- but is otherwise fine.
There are many people here in Australia with Maremma Sheepdogs - for use with livestock as well as poultry. I was wondering if anyone in America or elsewhere has one- and if you have any stories of what good protectors they can be? Or even stories of other breeds of dogs used for flock protection.
There are many people here in Australia with Maremma Sheepdogs - for use with livestock as well as poultry. I was wondering if anyone in America or elsewhere has one- and if you have any stories of what good protectors they can be? Or even stories of other breeds of dogs used for flock protection.
