Michigan

[bethanyrae]

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Not since I got my LGD's, haven't lost anything to predators since. Mind you, we have always had dogs, but they are not the same as livestock guardian dogs, they are awesome!

I can't imagine catching that many coons!

And do you need a lot of acreage for those guardian dogs?

We got lucky with a really dumb coon. A big one. We had a temporary pen of a chain link dog pen with a tarp on top, and it had these big coon tracks going across the top edge of it. It could have gotten in at any number of places with little to no effort. The chickens were all fine and accounted for.
And I think my holographic ribbon strung across my free range areas are keeping this pair of huge hawks at bay. (fingers crossed)
bethanyrae

 

[vicki2x2]

Bethany Rae,

I have 2 1/2 acres, that includes my house, a good size front & back yard, 3 pastures that I rotate the goats & geese in, a small barn and a couple of chicken coops. I keep a radio playing in my barn up front and the dogs are in the back with the goats. This gives them more room then bring in a run with the chickens and still keeps everyone safe. If you had 10-20 acres you might want more than 2 dogs to cover a bigger area, or if you had a dense area, or bigger predators likes wolves, bear or cougar after you stock. I mainly have coon, fox and coyote, so I am more than covered. The dogs work best in pairs, because often predators will distract one and then sneak in behind or gang up on one. It also give them a playmate instead of your livestock. Right now, with the economy, there are many displaced LGD's looking for new homes.

 

[gallinamama]

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How exciting! I still remember our first egg a couple of years ago.

Just saw your page..you have a lot of chickens!! how many? also why do you band your chickens? that one is so pretty does look like a dove.

 

[bethanyrae]

Quote:
How exciting! I still remember our first egg a couple of years ago.

Just saw your page..you have a lot of chickens!! how many? also why do you band your chickens? that one is so pretty does look like a dove.

How many? uh...they just keep happening. I have to look at my list. ha. It's 30 Large Fowl, not all full grown, and 22 Bantams, not all grown.

Plus a 2 hour old chick next to 6 more eggs under a broody in the kitchen. Oh happy day~

I put plastic bands on their legs so we can keep track of things while observing and treating them. Within each breed individuals will have a different colored band. I can tell my husband, "The Delaware with the green band doesn't look well." Like if one is limping or doesn't look right...who is it, is it getting better? Is one missing? Some look alike and they're hard to count while they keep moving around.
I have a few with no band because I just know who they are.

Some people will band certain hatches all the same, or according to lineage. Maybe for other reasons?

I like that row of nest boxes you have. I wish I had room for that. Mine don't seem to mind sharing, thankfully! And I love the looks of that pair that are tan and white with the black on their wings. Did you say once you weren't sure what they were?
bethanyrae

 

[gallinamama]

Hi Bethanyrae, my coop is still under construction... I just painted those boxes today... this way it will be easier to clean..tomorrow I want to paint the coop. I have been needing to get some things done.. but it has been hard... This weekend I have free so time to do some work on the coop.

I only have 9 chickens.. I think I have two roosters except the one doesn't crow... The white and brown one he is king of his castle and he lets you know... I want more chickens... all I need is the coop and things fixed. My coop is 8 x 8.. I don't know how many chickens I can get in there..

 

[creekhouse]

Hi everyone-----I am new to the forum and I am still trying to find my way around. I live in Shiawassee County and I have a small group of chicken's. I added 2 new chicken's this spring, thinking I had hens, and low and behold, I have a Roo. A Road Island Red. While he is beautiful, I do not want to keep him. Would anyone like a free Rooster??????????

 

[bethanyrae]

Quote:
Hey, Vicki,
What does the radio do? I'd heard of it done, but wasn't sure why.
Displaced LGD's with the economy? Do they eat a lot or something? I always thought they were fairly expensive dogs to purchase and that they needed good fencing. Do they dig or climb?

Our neighbors run a rot/mix(?) inside electricity with their horses and chickens. It won't let anything or anyone get near. (It hasn't even allowed for the fact that we live next door, after several years now.

)

 

[vicki2x2]

Quote:
Hey, Vicki,
What does the radio do? I'd heard of it done, but wasn't sure why.
Displaced LGD's with the economy? Do they eat a lot or something? I always thought they were fairly expensive dogs to purchase and that they needed good fencing. Do they dig or climb?

Our neighbors run a rot/mix(?) inside electricity with their horses and chickens. It won't let anything or anyone get near. (It hasn't even allowed for the fact that we live next door, after several years now.

)

The radio playing just helps deter coons and other nocturnal critters, they hear it and think humans are in there. I know of several people that use it with great success. The dogs that are displaced are because the owners must sell off their livestock or lose their homes, not because the dogs are too expensive to keep. Generally, they are easy keepers, fairly laid back until there is a need to be otherwise. Saving their energy for when there is a threat.

Like all dogs, some are escape artists, some are not. Part depends on how they were trained as pups, how bonded they are to their stock, etc. As to your neighbors rott, glad it is working for them, but it is highly unusual for a non LGD to really work out as they just do not bond with the animals like actual LGD do. I mean, you wouldn't ask a border collie to point birds or a lab to round up sheep, but everyone seems to think any dog can be a livestock guardian. When in fact, they have been around for hundreds of years, just like other breeds, bred and perfected for their jobs.

 

[bethanyrae]

Quote:
Hey, Vicki,
What does the radio do? I'd heard of it done, but wasn't sure why.
Displaced LGD's with the economy? Do they eat a lot or something? I always thought they were fairly expensive dogs to purchase and that they needed good fencing. Do they dig or climb?

Our neighbors run a rot/mix(?) inside electricity with their horses and chickens. It won't let anything or anyone get near. (It hasn't even allowed for the fact that we live next door, after several years now.

)

The radio playing just helps deter coons and other nocturnal critters, they hear it and think humans are in there. I know of several people that use it with great success. The dogs that are displaced are because the owners must sell off their livestock or lose their homes, not because the dogs are too expensive to keep. Generally, they are easy keepers, fairly laid back until there is a need to be otherwise. Saving their energy for when there is a threat.

Like all dogs, some are escape artists, some are not. Part depends on how they were trained as pups, how bonded they are to their stock, etc. As to your neighbors rott, glad it is working for them, but it is highly unusual for a non LGD to really work out as they just do not bond with the animals like actual LGD do. I mean, you wouldn't ask a border collie to point birds or a lab to round up sheep, but everyone seems to think any dog can be a livestock guardian. When in fact, they have been around for hundreds of years, just like other breeds, bred and perfected for their jobs.

Those are such cool looking dogs. I looked into them when we were in the market for one. Have you posted pics of your dogs?

 

[bethanyrae]

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Welcome to the group!