PLANNED POULTRY GUARDING DOG

[scottcaddy]

PERSIMMONS GETTING GOOD BUT NOT ALL OF THEM

Trueman and I walked fence rows late yesterday checking problem spots. Dogs came along sort of but where more interested in patrolling woods and swimming in ponds. We came across a 7-foot tall persimmon tree with fruit so I grabbed a couple. None were evident on ground because this tree is in current reach of free-ranging Dominique flock and even dogs eat the fruit. I ate the first very good one and found another that looked just as good. Trueman wanted a bite so I offered and he took his bite then gave the balance back to me which popped into my mouth. About time I felt the pucker coming on Trueman starting spitting and sputtering. Trueman got his first not ripe persimmon and it was kind of funny. Dogs and chickens do not seem to be bothered by the pucker factor.

I remember the taste well!! Not a good one

Do you have Paw-Paws?

Scott

 

[centrarchid]

Currently I do not have paw paws but have about 1/2 acre that will be planted in seedling in next year or two. A have some low lying ground with relatively deep organic soil in woods that will be suitable once a few larger trees are culled. Once paw paw trees get some size I will open are further so they can set more fruit. In Indiana where I grew up paw paws figured more heavily in to our use because the trees are more abundant. My brother get enough to make wine out of them which is pretty good.

 

[centrarchid]

Livestock are domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce commodities such as food, fiber and labor.

More to come with respect to local statutes.

 

[CAjerseychick]

Title changed from PLANNED LIVESTOCK GUARDING DOG to PLANNED POULTRY GUARDING DOG


This done is done owing to existing semantics issue pressed by parties concerned about what a true livestock guarding dog is. By law in most states chickens and even cultured fish are livestock so this adjustment as made is no longer in agreement with legal code of state I live in. This means popular usage is taking priority over technical and legal usage of the word livestock.

Well thats too bad! I dont think you should have to change the title.
Are the parties concerned getting snarky about the breed of dog used as LGD as well? I consider all mine LGDs-- the Schnauzer and the Bernese Mt dogs (both breeds were used on farmsteads for centuries)-- as well as the Great Pyr/ anatolian dog-- and they were and still are Livestock guardians, doing an excellent job with our chickens, long before we ever acquired our Goats (so getting a pair of goats now makes them true LGDs?! They are the same dogs) -- I do think the issue is a bit silly....

 

[centrarchid]

Changing title is long-term what I think is best to tackle problem. In the end, dogs used specifically for poultry will still be classified as livestock guarding dogs, regardless of breeding, but those used for sheep and goats may need to be called sheep / goat dogs which they used to be called by many. I have always been in the camp that no dog breed was developed specifically for guarding chickens (records of my postings will support that here) although many have had that as part of there varied set of responsibilities (i.e. English Sheep Dog in U.S.). Since interest has been renewed in the raising of chickens under free-range conditions, dogs may again become important for that. Certainly the larger Molossers have some of the size and aggressive attributes for such a vocation but they may not be optimal for poultry flocks were dispersion and flock motility set poultry apart from sheep and goats. Most free-range keepers will be using some sort of confinement that potentially restricts a guard dog's movement or at least makes it's job more complex. Additionally, predators that target poultry will be different in respect to their options when countering a guarding dog's efforts that would otherwise target sheep or goats.

We need to start identifying characteristics of dogs well suited for protecting poultry and that make require as little snobbery on our part. I have been playing this game for a while and gotten to see some things that work very well. I also like dogs that are flexible in what they can do. Speed, smarts, good carrying voice but barking only when threat is close, and ability to tend with heavy brush are first concerns.

In the end some sort of cross involving a Molosser type dog may be involved but so will be selection for standardizing of performance (I do not say looks), Bad hips and heat stress need to be considered for dogs that need to be actively patrolling dispersed charges and also exhibit some bonding to the charges as well.

 

[scottcaddy]

Changing title is long-term what I think is best to tackle problem. In the end, dogs used specifically for poultry will still be classified as livestock guarding dogs, regardless of breeding, but those used for sheep and goats may need to be called sheep / goat dogs which they used to be called by many. I have always been in the camp that no dog breed was developed specifically for guarding chickens (records of my postings will support that here) although many have had that as part of there varied set of responsibilities (i.e. English Sheep Dog in U.S.). Since interest has been renewed in the raising of chickens under free-range conditions, dogs may again become important for that. Certainly the larger Molossers have some of the size and aggressive attributes for such a vocation but they may not be optimal for poultry flocks were dispersion and flock motility set poultry apart from sheep and goats. Most free-range keepers will be using some sort of confinement that potentially restricts a guard dog's movement or at least makes it's job more complex. Additionally, predators that target poultry will be different in respect to their options when countering a guarding dog's efforts that would otherwise target sheep or goats.

We need to start identifying characteristics of dogs well suited for protecting poultry and that make require as little snobbery on our part. I have been playing this game for a while and gotten to see some things that work very well. I also like dogs that are flexible in what they can do. Speed, smarts, good carrying voice but barking only when threat is close, and ability to tend with heavy brush are first concerns.

In the end some sort of cross involving a Molosser type dog may be involved but so will be selection for standardizing of performance (I do not say looks), Bad hips and heat stress need to be considered for dogs that need to be actively patrolling dispersed charges and also exhibit some bonding to the charges as well.

Well Said!

Scott

 

[centrarchid]

Today Trueman wandered off and was lost for about 30 minutes plus or minus an eternity for me. His mother was out of town so I had to strap his little sister on to my chest as I ran about looking for him. Luckily Lucy stayed with him the whole time and it was she I found first. Trueman is no longered confined in his walkabouts by tall weeds. Sticktights were evidence of that. Lucy was a good girl on that.

Here he is driving me mad after I found him behind neighbors house. They had no idea he was there.


Little Miss Iris after being bounced around with me almost running. She seemed to enjoy the whole affair.

 

[CAjerseychick]

Today Trueman wandered off and was lost for about 30 minutes plus or minus an eternity for me. His mother was out of town so I had to strap his little sister on to my chest as I ran about looking for him. Luckily Lucy stayed with him the whole time and it was she I found first. Trueman is no longered confined in his walkabouts by tall weeds. Sticktights were evidence of that. Lucy was a good girl on that.

Here he is driving me mad after I found him behind neighbors house. They had no idea he was there.


Little Miss Iris after being bounced around with me almost running. She seemed to enjoy the whole affair.

Glad to hear all is well! You displayed some excellent guardian traits your self today!!!!! Good dog Lucy as well!

 

[scottcaddy]

Today Trueman wandered off and was lost for about 30 minutes plus or minus an eternity for me. His mother was out of town so I had to strap his little sister on to my chest as I ran about looking for him. Luckily Lucy stayed with him the whole time and it was she I found first. Trueman is no longered confined in his walkabouts by tall weeds. Sticktights were evidence of that. Lucy was a good girl on that.

Here he is driving me mad after I found him behind neighbors house. They had no idea he was there.


Little Miss Iris after being bounced around with me almost running. She seemed to enjoy the whole affair.

I seen to remember you posting awhile back about little Mr. Trueman doing a walk about and you watching him from abit behind him. Have you thought about getting him his own E.L.T.?
Glad to see all is well for now, Good Luck Tuesday and Wednesday, and so on!!

Scott

 

[Weirdness555]

I have a question regarding the livestock terminology issue: Do toddlers/babies count as livestock? Could your dogs be considered toddler guarding dogs?