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Barnyard Buddies:  So sad...  |
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Tracey
True Blue Farmgirl
766 Posts
Tracey
State of Confusion
USA
766 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 10 2007 : 12:54:05 AM
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I sold a couple of ewes to some folks in a neighboring county last summer, and together we had eight East Friesians shipped over from WI. I had two rams, and they used both of my boys to cross on their ewes this winter.
I got an email today saying the first ewe lambed, but was still born. The second ewe, they were happy to report, gave them twin ewe lambs!
This was followed tonight be another email saying a coyote had snuck in, in broad daylight, and tried to run off with one of the lambs  They went to the barn to find her dead, still warm and drug out of the barn. They were heart broken, of course, and have moved the llamas from across the street in an effort to keep the coyotes at bay. They'll also be looking into a couple of guard dogs.
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http://carpentercreek.wordpress.com |
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EmmJay
True Blue Farmgirl
352 Posts
Mary Jane
Amherst
Nova Scotia
Canada
352 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2007 : 06:34:48 AM
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Ahh Tracey, that is sad. It sounds as though the coyotes are really hungry. In broad daylight......
I sincerely hope that things get better from here on out. I hate loosing babies to critters.
MJ
"Thank GOD I'm a country girl"
http://s119.photobucket.com/albums/o134/EmmJay07/ |
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Love-in-a-Mist
True Blue Farmgirl
367 Posts
Shannon
Independence
Oregon
USA
367 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2007 : 06:49:44 AM
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The pups are getting big and are starting to come out with mom to hunt. We have a coyote problem too around this time every year. They come right into the pastures while we are drinking our morning coffee.
If my husband shoots 1 or 2 they will change their hunting route for at least 6 months.
Hopefully they can scare them away enough that they will change their route.
That is so sad!
http://love-in-a-mist-shannon.blogspot.com/ |
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Bluewrenn
True Blue Farmgirl
1122 Posts
Erin
Texas
USA
1122 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2007 : 07:26:24 AM
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Texas has a huge coyote problem. I'm going to have to get more than one LGD to handle my goats because there are so many. We're also building a screened greenhouse type shelter for all our cats to hang out in... so sad.
My Homesteading Journal http://toomyvara.livejournal.com
My craft journal http://bluewrenn.livejournal.com
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Tracey
True Blue Farmgirl
766 Posts
Tracey
State of Confusion
USA
766 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2007 : 07:38:52 AM
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It's odd, but we've got the creek running right through our property, and we've frequently seen a lone coyote in the back yard during early morning hours, but my sheep have never been bothered. There are nights you can here the coyotes singing all up and down the valley; sometimes they're at the creek singing right behind the house. It's eerie, and I'm always worried about my babies, but thus far, no troubles...
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2007 : 11:22:09 AM
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I am so sorry to hear about the poor lambs! That is really sad! Hopefully you can get the coyotes under control :( So just one lamb is left now?
Alee |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2007 : 6:26:08 PM
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How maddening.
I have also heard that these days some folks are using donkeys/mules??? as watch companions. I can't remember which
Poor baby for suffering and mom for laboring all for naught
So sorry |
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shepherdgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1008 Posts
Tracy
California
USA
1008 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2007 : 6:54:10 PM
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So sorry for the loss of the lamb. I myself was worried, not about coyotes so much, but nieghbor's DOGS when I got my sheep in 2000. Because they are such a valuable breed, I was even MORE worried, but I knew I couldn't keep them locked up in the barn forever, so I started doing research on guardian animals from llamas, to donkeys, to dogs. After a year of reasearch and asking a MILLIONS questions, I finally settled on an Italian breed of livestock guardian dog called a "Maremma." Eli came to me as a 2mo old puppy--A HUGE 2mo old puppy! He was the size of a medium adult dog and weighed close to (if not) 50lbs. He is an amazing dog, and we have had very few problems with him, at least nothing that was not easily dealt with. Unlike the Pyrenees, which are great pets as well, Maremmas MUST have a job to do, and they do that job VERY well. They can be very protective of their livestock, but if they are raised right, they are the BEST guardians ever! I have been so impressed with my dog that I can't even begin to share all of his amazing abilities with you. I have never been sorry a single day that I bought him.  You might mention the Maremmas to the people who lost their lamb. I would not recommend buying a dog of mixed breed guardian heritage as each particular breed has it's own characteristics, some NOT so desirable, and it's impossible to predict which traits a mixed breed pup will inherit. Tracy |
Edited by - shepherdgirl on Jun 10 2007 6:55:50 PM |
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Ca-Reds
True Blue Farmgirl
124 Posts
kristy
Clearlake
Ca
USA
124 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2007 : 9:38:24 PM
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Tracey,
My heart sinks reading you message! My husband and i bought 6 California Red sheep a few months ago. Two weeks ago two dogs got in the pen and attacked them. They killed one and injured the others. One was given a 50/50 chance by the vet. A few days ago i took her in to be seen again she's better. Then yesterday they came back! One more is in a 50/50 state. They don't even have there staples out from the last attack yet. We are so mad!!! We both work and hate to leave the property now. We have Animal Control and the Federal Trapper involved. Hope we get them soon! Tell your friends to hang in there, I am feeling there pain. Kristy |
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Bluewrenn
True Blue Farmgirl
1122 Posts
Erin
Texas
USA
1122 Posts |
Posted - Jun 11 2007 : 04:59:39 AM
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This is my biggest fear on the farm and we're definitely getting a LGD or two... I didn't realize that there is so much difference among the breeds though. I'd researched dogs versus donkeys and llamas, and looked at a couple of the more popular LGD breeds, but not all of them. I guess I have some more research to do.
Do the Maremmas get along with other family dogs? What about cats? If he's not working does Eli get into trouble?
My Homesteading Journal http://toomyvara.livejournal.com
My craft journal http://bluewrenn.livejournal.com
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shepherdgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1008 Posts
Tracy
California
USA
1008 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2007 : 10:34:13 AM
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| Oh, that's quite a loaded question Erin. So much to tell on the subject. I can send you an e-mail on the specifics if you'd like because I don't want to be a "Forum Hog"--- I'm such a windbag and can't give out a "Brief" answer! but in a nutshell-- Yes, Eli gets along with our other dogs-- for the most part. He doesn't care for one of them much (but I don't blame him either- Kangaroo-Jack is a 5lb menace!) If you start with a puppy, they learn quickly who's who on the homestead. One thing though-- it's best NOT to let the puppy hang with the "Family" dogs because it takes their focus away from the animals you want them to guard. Eli has been in the barn with the sheep from DAY ONE. He was not exposed to the other dogs except through the fence. His breeder admits to making the mistake of letting HER dogs hang out with the family pet dogs, and it created some serious problems that took awhile to remedy. I took her words of advice to heart and didn't make the same mistake. LGD's have a different mentality than "pet" dogs do. They like to play just like anyone else, but when the animals spook for whatever reason, they kick into "guard" mode, whereas a pet dog would give chase. They are fascinating creatures to behold and I am just amazed by their intelligence and the commraderie that they establish with the animals they protect. Cats, if they are raised with them, are not an issue either. I have quite a few stories about Eli that I would be more than happy to share, and I SWEAR they are ALL TRUE!! And yes- Eli with nothing to do can be trouble! Sometimes he will even CREATE it if he gets bored. His favorite thing to do is let the goats out. If I see HIM out, I KNOW those goats are out somewhere, as he is rarely without them! He LOVES his goats! |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2007 : 11:20:52 AM
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Shepherdgirl-
I for one would love to hear your stories! Don't worry about being a forum hog! You could even start a new topic just abot Eli! :) I would love to see pictures if you have them!
Alee |
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Tracey
True Blue Farmgirl
766 Posts
Tracey
State of Confusion
USA
766 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2007 : 10:58:56 AM
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Dogs can be quite the problem; moreso than coyotes, I think, as they're bolder. A friend lost a ewe a couple years ago to, of all things, a little American Eskie. It'd come down the road with it's partner, a lab. The bigger dog couldn't get through the field fencing, but the eskie could and did, then proceeded to run the ewes, who were ready to lamb in another week or two, to the point of exhaustion. An older ewe finally went down and the eskie nailed her.
My friend's dogs were raising a commotion and alerted her, so she managed to get ahold of the lab and put him in the kennel. After that, she managed to nab the eskie. The eskie, it turned out, was being cared for my a family up the road who's niece had left for college. They had him put down and sent their sons to help bury the old ewe and offered to pay for her. Since she'd been old and not bred that year, it wasn't a huge loss, but my friend was very thankful that they'd offered and helped with the hole digging. Sometimes you wonder if there are any responsible owners left out there, eh?
Please Vote For Me!
http://www.blogforayear.com/profiles/desperate-horsewife
http://carpentercreek.wordpress.com |
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horse
True Blue Farmgirl
371 Posts
laura
pontotoc
mississippi
USA
371 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2007 : 11:25:38 AM
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I don't have problems with coyotoes but with neighbors dogs and we also have wild hogs that has gotten to where they come into the yard. Sorry to hear about the ewes.
Laura
www.2lmzfarms.blogspot.com |
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Bluewrenn
True Blue Farmgirl
1122 Posts
Erin
Texas
USA
1122 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2007 : 7:13:58 PM
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shepherdgirl - yes, please do tell us stories. I think it is an important issue this year - lots of rain and weird weather and I think the coyote population has exploded. Everyone I know is looking for LGDs.
My Homesteading Journal http://toomyvara.livejournal.com
My craft journal http://bluewrenn.livejournal.com
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Barnyard Buddies: So sad... |
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So sad...
