Saturday, December 27, 2014

Predators and Prey, Protectors and Observers





After the normal morning feeding chores and letting the captive sheep out to frolic in the field, and don't forget the ancient donkey, She was bellowing loudly to be let out this morning. During the warmer months we let her stay in or stay out as she pleases but now that it's so wet she likes to stay in at night but by morning feeding time she is ready to go back out. Anyway I ran the heaters all night in the cabin and sure enough the flooring laid down a bit better and needed to be trimmed up a bit more as I expected.

Then my Mother wanted to go look at quarter round trim. She actually surprised me and went to one of those surplus junk and bulk building material places and found some pretty decent trim for like 10 cents a foot. While we were there I came across a few things like a 10 pack of those 300 yard range large army targets for $2.00 and a caulk gun for 99cents that I couldn't pass up. On the way out I found a bucket of lead wheel weights for a $1.00 a pound too. That's a bit over spot price but with no shipping comes out to a pretty good deal so I snatched up all 20 pounds of them they had.

On the return trip it began snowing pretty heavily believe it or not so I finished trimming the flooring and then sat out under her covered porch and watched it snow. Until we pick up whatever she is going to use for wall covering I am at a stand still and it is too wet to do much around the place right now anyway. Besides I need a break my shoulders are still screaming at me.

As the snow kept falling and I was silently enjoying the crisp air under the overhead cover the barn yard and area around the buildings started coming to life with all the hundreds of life forms that are dependent on the Small-Hold.

After the sheep are finished with their grain the birds come to clean up and also hit the bird feeders themselves. Today I counted well over a dozen pairs of Redbirds along with small woodpeckers and other assorted flying critters. The rabbits cautiously creeped into the mating pen and began foraging around the sheep feeders for missed grain as well. One of the communal half feral cats came up from the field to see if there was any food left in the barn (there was I always put some out for the vagabonds). A little later the neighbor's dog came over and finished off what the cat left.

That is one smart dog too. He figured out how to jump on the seat of my garden tractor and jump over to the top of the stored feed bags to get to the shelf I put the cat food on. I have to constantly find a different spot for it to keep him from eating it all.

At one point the coyotes came out into the back of the field to see if the yearling lambs were maybe too far away from safety but the Donkey immediately went on point and stared em down and eventually the big lead mare trotted down that way and ran em off for good. A large Redtailed hawk cruised by hoping to catch a mouse or a rabbit out in the open but the dog spotted it and when it landed on a fence post he was in hot pursuit barking the whole way so the hawk went on looking for a less noisy spot. Not sure why that dog dislikes birds of prey so much but when they fly over he always runs after them barking until they leave.

I haven't seen any quail in months around the barn yard though. I think the stray cat population has finally chased them away along with my brush clearing. They have had to move further down to better protected areas. I still hear them all Summer long but they no longer venture up close like they were. Even though I don't have the small pond completely fixed yet I have done enough work on it that it is holding some water most of the year and I think the quail have moved down there these days.

Sometimes I just enjoy sitting out quietly and watching all the wildlife that hangs out around the Small-Hold. Creating areas that sustain other critters besides the sheep could prove useful in a long term grid down situation. Further down into the back area among the trees the squirrels are returning and a small herd of deer routinely use it for bedding down during the day. I have also seen some Turkey signs that way occasionally.

A small farm is more than just a place for producing human food though, it's an entire ecosystem all it's own and during the Winter months especially wild life seem to gather in close. Come the first real snowfall the barn will be full of birds sheltering there as well as the livestock.

As long as we don't start seeing any predators larger than the coyotes I am happy and not too worried. If I ever see a bear or cougar track though, and there have been sightings recently not but a few miles off, I might have to worry a bit. Also the eagles are another concern. They managed to kill four lambs at my neighbors down the road a couple of miles this Summer although I haven't seen any here in over a year. They mostly stay closer to the rivers and large creeks but two years ago I did have one that flew over fairly regularly. Gotta keep your eyes open.

Keep Prepping Everyone!!!


17 comments:

  1. PP,

    I have an English Shepherd with whom I raised a couple batches of chicks. He would peer over the edge of the chick guard and watched them grow up, feather out, and finally get moved into the chicken Palace. He took good care of the birds and watched out for them. Every morning and evening he and I would open and close the chicken door.

    Big birds like eagles, hawks, on down to ravens and even wild turkeys would get his britches in a big bunch. Many times I watched him running through a field looking up at the big birds and barking his head off. Kept most of them well away.

    One time my wife went out to do chores and left the chicken house door open. Immediately all chickens claimed their freedom. Pups chased down each one and held it so wife could pick it up and return it to the chicken house. Every single one of 52 birds. WHAT a pup.

    Here on the new homestead we again have wild turkeys and pups is not pleased I put out cracked corn or COB to keep the turks coming around. He wants to drive them off, but I am thinking about a turkey dinner so I discourage him from chasing them.

    Winston

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    1. Winston - That's interesting I have never heard of a dog that protected stock or the property from large birds before until I saw this dog do it. Apparently as your experience shows it isn't as uncommon as I thought. It's so funny watching him run after a big hawk barking and looking up at it. He does the same thing to owls at night as I have caught him barking up trees at them.

      As you say if I had chickens it would be a hell of a talent to have around. I just hope mine doesn't think the chickens are are bad when I get em :)

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    2. PP,

      When I got my baby birds I put them in a large size child's wading pool and put up 24 inch high guard around it. Pups kept looking over the guard at the wee birdies and he and I looked together. He saw me feed and water them and talk to them. Pretty clear to him that they were being taken care of by his Big Boss and he simply carried that on after the birds moved on to the chicken house. Yes, he sure has given me plenty of laughs.

      English Shepherds have been bred to be strongly bonded to their master and yet be boss of the barn yard. They are easily taught to manage livestock, in fact most of it is instinct. Also, my sheep came late in pups life...he was 5 then...and he simply took one look and said OK, I know what to do.

      He gets along well with stock because he has NO "eye" like a Border Collie, but if I point at a particular animal and tell him to Go Get It, he is off like a shot and rounds up the critter. I find it hard to feed sheep without him because the sheep mob me and almost knock me down. With pups, they don't even get near. Pig broke jail and I sicced pups on pig. Round and round until pig took shelter where I could lay hands on her so I called pups off. Worked like it should. Great dogs!

      Also, I trained him early to protect my wife. When she walks out the door he goes with her. EVERYWHERE. He has protected her from rattlesnakes, he keeps all other animals away from her. Would not be gentle to any person dumb enough to harass her. Again, Great dogs.

      Winston

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    3. Winston - So does your English Setter have a natural range it protects with a vengeance like a Pyrenees? One of my biggest complaints about those dogs around here is these people with 20 yards of road frontage and 3 acres of land buy em and never consider those dogs have no idea about neighbors, easements and other peoples property. I almost had to put a round into one a couple years ago when it snowed so bad I had to walk into check some of my bee hives and this dog thought I was an intruder when I was on a public road and a private driveway not his owners.

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    4. PP,

      Heaven forbid... NOT a setter, an English Shepherd.

      Most of the LGD do tend to be less territorial than we would like and WILL cross fence lines like they don't exist. Males worse than females. Pyrenees are among the worst for this. I've seen Maremmas and those I have met were too busy with 800+ sheep to wander. But woe to all predators. The issues you state sound like 1. Not enough work for the dog to do. And 2. Too small an area to guard, they need room.

      The English Shepherd do guard, but they have been bred to be the sole dog in the family, strongly loyal to their master, play with the kids and be one of the family. They WANT to be with you. But they also guard the property. Mine raises hob every time a coyote gets near whether pups is inside or outside. He will run out to drive them off, but he knows his limitations and comes back for the Boss if too many. He refused to fall for their ploy of sending out a bitch in heat to lure him close enough for the pack to attack. He runs off the big birds, the ground squirrels, bunnies, even the neighbors cows if so instructed, more as well. But he is also a companion and loves the quiet talks with his Boss.

      Mine keeps the sheep and goats off of me so I can feed and check animals. But if needed he will jump in and help. They love the work and if they please the Boss you have made their day.

      Another big part is good fences. Because of the coyotes I have a 1/2 acre home yard for the sheep with fences that are horse high and pig tight. (And tested without intent, LOL) Coyotes excluded. Other fences are 2 x 4 non-climb 48 inches tall applied over 4 strand barbed, this keeps my sheep in and the neighbors cows out. And I have some 48 inch tall field fencing the younger goats CAN get their heads caught in, but pretty rare. Pups minds the fences and walks patrol and rarely crosses even where it is still just 4 strand barbed. If I open the gate he will go out with me to socialize with the neighbors dogs for a brief time, but when I go in I don't even need to call him.

      I rarely go out for chores he isn't right there and ready. He understands well when I tell him That's enough! and he will go rest and watch to see what is next. I simply could not have found a better dog for the homestead. Plus when we go out he is a major chick magnet, LOL. He LOVES his rides in the truck.

      Winston

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    5. Winston - I haven't had any especial problems with the ewes or lambs swarming me during feeding time yet. My mother certainly does though. It would be nice to have a dog to hold em in place while I am putting the grain in the feeders though no doubt about that. As I add to the flock I perceive a time when a dog to work the girls would be necessary however so I am looking.

      Ya I know I typed setter but meant shepherd :)

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  2. my german shephard cross is real good at keeping those nasty dangerous sparrows away from our yard! He is especially good at harassing the robins in the spring and summer. Bigger birds I don't know!

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    1. denis - Heh. This dog doesn't seem to mind the small birds at all. I have seen some small sparrow hawks and the like he doesn't seem to pay attention to either just the larger Red Tails and above.

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    2. Both,

      I have a friend who has German Shepherd. When young the GSD wanted to eat the chickens. Patience and training and an ugly looking collar all combined to turn the GSD into a fine caretaker of "her" birds. Little birds seem to be OK with her.

      My English Shepherd has no issues with small birdies and they barely get an eyeball even pecking close to him. But big as a crow and he is off at a run.

      Winston

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    3. Winston - I will say this stray liked to chase and try to kill cats when he first showed up but now that he realizes they are part of the group he doesn't even pay them a bit of attention. In fact this new little kitten I rescued was found curled up with him on the dog couch just the other day. So perhaps he would learn to protect the chickens he certainly get's upset when we take the sheep away for market day or moving that's for sure.

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    4. PP,

      I would suggest you follow the same program about raising the baby birds as mentioned above. If your dog sees the show from the start and knows these are YOUR birdies, he is more likely to see them as part of the home herd and worthy of being protected.

      I am not aware of what breed you have, if you have mentioned it, I missed it.

      Winston

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    5. Oh he isn't a breed other than the typical mutt lab mixed in. He is a good dog though and lived off the land for some time before he ended up here I think. He really appreciates having a home to the point that he has taken several duties on himself that he is wired for like guarding and will even help us herd a little. He doesn't have the instinct for real working but I know he is protective of the sheep because he gets upset when they get out or we take some away.

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  3. PP,

    It's cold here tonight. It snowed through the night last night, I believe we picked up about 4 to 5 inches. Funny thing, all roadways are clear though. I know tonight will be bad with the black ice.

    Yes, watch out for the bigger critters targeting your animals.

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  4. Sounds like you had a good day. Nice to be able to sit awhile and observe the world turning.

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  5. Beautiful post. I so agree that a farm or small-holding is so much more than what we humans intend for it to be. It just takes slowing down and observing to appreciate it. I think it's good your dog doesn't like those hawks. Maybe that's why the eagles don't bother your place either. Also score One for the donkey. We occasionally see coyotes but have had no problems. Still, I wish we could keep a dog or donkey or llama.

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  6. Thanks PP for the post. As I read it I see myself standing along side taking it all in.

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  7. Interesting observation Preppy. I was actually just thinking the same thing this morning: even in our urban enclave, birds (mostly doves and sparrows but the occasional cardinal and blue jay as well) hang around for the feeder The Ravishing Mrs. TB puts out. Squirrels live off the downfall of birdseed and our local rabbit population romps through for our grass and parts of my garden (some of my onions are looking mighty clipped off). Would all of them starve if we were not here? No. But the fact that we are makes a difference in their lives and patterns. I'll need to contemplate this further.

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