Michigan

[RaZ]

Thanks for the comments on the JGs. I knew I could count on this forum for good info. Some of the other threads, meh, not so much.

Now the question becomes, do I want them now? Or do I wait until spring?

 

[SillyChicken]

My DB has a mini mule they got to watch the sheep and he's very aggressive with them. (anyone know someone that wants a mini mule?)

 

[fifelakelooper]

Quote:
I'd say to wait until spring but really depends on your set up? Also if you are hatching out eggs or getting a grown JG? If you are getting a grown JG...you'd need the space/place to keep apart from your present flock (quarantine) for 20-30 days.

If you are hatching....assuming you have a place for the brooder away from your flock....then you could start March and by the time they were big enough to integrate the weather would be warm. I seem to recall you have neighbor issues and so are limited in space...

 

[M.sue]

Good Morning....I'm not even going to try to read everything....You guys were certainly busy chatting away.

Welcome RBahmer as you've probably already noticed this is a busy busy thread.

Stacykins......congrats on your new addition, sure is cute and congrats on the first egg!!

Farmerboy16.....your calf is beautiful and how great that he's at your place!!

Well my chickens survived the storm. I had to pour warm water on the door latch to get in though for it was FROZEN!! My waterer is doing fine on it's base in the pen. The waterer stayed pretty clean which is what I like. I'm still considering some alternatives though....it is some what cumbersome. I did have a small drift in the pen, it wasn't bad and that will be something I'll get to as soon as possible. I was thinking of going to check out those panels you guys were talking about. I need to put either a panel or some plastic on the pen door. Well it's off to run a few errands.....don't be too chatty now you all, it's hard to catch up!!!

 

[RBahmer]

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I had a Great Pyrenees LGD and he did a wonderful job guarding our sheep. We lost him earlier this year as we had a tornado and he was old and I guess his heart wouldn't take it. But when he was here and with the sheep he was very protective. He never bothered a cat or a chicken unless they got in with his sheep. Then he would kill them. I have not replaced him yet but when I do it will be another Great Pyrenees. I heard llamas are good and donkeys are good but I will stick to my Pyrenees. Hope this helps. I never lost a sheep or a lamb when I had him.

Thanks RB and Olive. My sister-in-law breeds and trains Bouvier de Flanders and Border Collies for herding and tracking, and has a herd of about 30 or so sheep. As I said, she has lost about 5 or 6 lambs this year to coyotes. She had heard that LGDs were rather unreliable with people and could tend toward aggression. I'm sure it depends on breed and training or lack thereof, but it seemed to me with as many people as it seems use them, they couldn't be too unreliable. Can't imagine people would have them if they couldn't get near their own sheep!! She would like to talk to someone who has used them before she decides on breed or LGD over llama or donkey. RB, if she has questions, could I give her your e-mail address?

Sure you can give her my e mail. If she wants to talk in person I can pm you my phone number. I also have a Border Collie for when it's time to herd them. My Pyrenees didn't have a mean bone in his body. NEVER aggressive toward people. Only what he knew didn't belong in with the sheep. Even when the ewes would sometimes nail him when they had lambs he would never hurt one of them.

 

[AngelaB]

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I LOVE calves and cows! My inlaws have had a dairy farm and I love the cows. They are no longer milking. Now, they are raising beef cattle. I love the calves. They have one that is soooooo friendly. He's an angus. I am trying not o get too attached, because he is the one that is going to be ours (he has no hormones injected) He is growing so slow, that he's been around awhile and I get more attached. He comes when you call him and give kisses.

This is me and him in June

 

[taprock]

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With dumplings!

I would love to, however I am one of those annoying people that faint when they see blood! I can hunt with a gun but gutting and skinning up to my hubby, after that it's just meat and doesn't bother me. In the past I have given my roosters to a neighbor to eat but this time of the year no one wants to mess with them.

 

[RaZ]

I know Fife, I'll wait until spring.

However, if Santa had a couple for me I could quarantine them just fine. I have enough room but I don't have another TV for them.

Haven't seen much from my neighbor since her meltdown in May. I hear through the grapevine (her daughter) that she didn't like the roo and she was afraid of the ducks.

Sure could use that 100 acres about now.

 

[1muttsfan]

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Sure right here in my pocket - oops...

 

[taprock]

So last night after finding my injured/scalped roo I put him in the dog crate in the basement with intentions of babying him in the morning. I thought some scrambled egg and then doctor up his head so he doesn't get picked on, but......he started crowing at 5!

Roosters!! I put up with several series of three crows and then got up, slapped some duct tape on his head and tossed him to the coop where everyone was up and could appreciate his crowing!