Canyon Ridge Farms
|
|
LIVESTOCK GUARDIAN DOGS
WOW! You think that you have fenced your property with the ultimate fence. Nothing could possibly ever get in to your animals. Right? WRONG! You can NOT build a fence a that good!
A livestock guadian dog is a MUST if you have livestock.
We always felt that our livestock was secure and had no real concerns at all for their safety. After all, our entire pasture is fenced with field fence and any low areas were filled. In September 2007, our thoughts of security changed drastically.
We had 4 pigs housed in the shed area in our back pasture with hog panels surrounding the outside pen area. One evening we arrived home to find two of the pigs half eaten. These were about 80-100 pound pigs. Not only were the pigs half eaten, but they were also outside of their pen area. The gate had been forced open (probably from them being chased). This was not the dinner which had been planned for these little piggies, but with two survivors we decided to move them up to the goat barn by the house. We had heard the cyotes running the previous night and assumed that that is what had gotten the pigs.
One week later, we were awakened out of a dead sleep by a commotion in the barn. Something was in with the goats. My husband and I ran down to the barn and 4-5 dogs (obviously someone's "pets" that they let run the area) were in full attack mode on one of my favorite does. Another young doe was laying at the other end of the pen bleeding profusely. We thought she was already dead. My husband was able to finaly get the dogs off of the other doe and scared them off. Unfortunately, we did not think fast enought to grab a gun as we were out of the house.
Wild animals are something that we all must deal with at one time or another. Other people's "pets" however can cause just as much damage if not more to your herd. Domestic "pets" are not scared away by humans or lights or anything else. Our goats were in their barn. In thier "safe" place. They were still attacked!
After the attack we went to remove the "dead" doe and discovered that she was still alive (barely). We promplty got both does and washed all of the many many wounds with an iodine wash and started injections of Pen-G. Both of the does had had their tetnus shots but we gave them another one just in case. It took many many days and hours of care, but both of the does finally began to show improvement. I am finally able to say that they have both survived and both are doing very well. Both still carry scars from the attack, and may always, but NOW they have a guardian.
After the dog attack on the goats, we put the word out that we were looking for a Livestock Guardian Dog. We just couldn't take a chance of something like this happening again.
A wonderful lady by the name of Sharon located about a 100 or so miles from us offered us one of her dogs. This wonderful couple brought their dog all the way to our farm and then spent a couple of hours showing her around and introducing her to the livestock and other farm dogs, showing her her knew territory and letting her get comfortable with her new surroundings.
Let me tell you, Sadie is the an excellent dog. She is very observent and is always on guard. There are times that she stays right with the goats, and times that she just watches from a distance. We love Sadie so much and it seems that she has always been a part of our farm and family. We will never be without a Livestock Guardian Dog.
Sadie
Anatolian / Pyrenees mix
In the spring of 2008, Sadie was in a brawl with ??. She received multiple injuries followed by a late night run to the vet's office resulting in an overnight stay and many many staples to repair the injuries.
Following this, it was obvious to us that Sadie needed helpers. At that time we contacted Greg and Barbara and were able to get two of their LGDs. These girls, Shasta and Gypsy, came to us and it feels that they to have always been a part of our farm.
Now, since Sadie's injuries and the arrival of Shasta and Gypsy, Sadie is more of the overseer. :) It is very interesting to watch these girls. Sadie stays pretty close to the house and barn area. She listens to everything and all of sudden you will see her perk up, then give a low growl, then a bark. At the sound of her bark, the other two girls take off in what ever direction she has sent them. Sadie will continue to listen and will usually go to the fence and observe what is taking place. Now if she doesn't think that the girls are taking care of the situation properly she will go to where they are and direct from close up or even handle it if need be. There are times as well, that you can tell it is an urgent situation and Sadie will then give her command bark and take off in the lead with the other 2 girls close behind. Boy! These wonderful creatures can really move "FAST" when they need to.
Gypsy
Anatolian / Pyrenees mix
Shasta
Anatolian / Pyrenees mix
Please contact us anytime! We look forward to hearing from you.
Down Town Farmer's Market (Tulsa)
Cherry Street Farmer's Market (Tulsa)
