Do you lock them up at night?

[willowbreezefarm]

I do not lock mine up. I get worried about the barn setting on fire. I was just mentioning in another post that I also can sleep worrie free at night knowing that my babys are safe behind the new fence. I got one of those electro netting fences that keeps bear, coyoties and other roaming critters out. It does work! I saw our dog get shocked by it and now she wont even go near the fence. I also saw all my goats including the kids get shocked by it at least once and they will not be rubbing up on that fence. Well worth my money when I bought that this year.

 

[Goatmasta]

I have an Australian Shepard, I bought him from a "working home". In other words his parents and grands are both well trained at their job. I didn't really have to do much training, he just knew what to do from the beginning. I am a firm believer in buying from a "working home" with a "working" blood line. I believe the "work" can be bred out of them regardless of what the "job" is....

 

[ksalvagno]

Utimately, you will have to decide what is best for your particular farm. For some of us it works out better to lock them up at night because for one reason or another some type of guardian animal is just not feasible and predators are the bigger worry than barn fires. For others, they worry more about barn fires but have some type of guardian animal.

 

[carolinagirl]

DonnaBelle, when I decided I needed a good farm dog/ watch dog, I intentionally chose a LGD breed because they are safer with kids than most other breeds. LGDs are known for having almost no prey drive, so they are not as likely to bite your child. I have a 4 year old grandson and his safety is the most important things. LGD are not like regular guard dogs. They bond deeply with their family (human and hoofed) and will protect them. their first instinct is not to rip the heads off the offending invader, it's to alert you of a problem. Often their imposing size alone is enough to scare off invaders. If more is needed, they will do more. They don't need to be trained to do this, it is natural for them to. They think for themselves and figure out the best way to handle threats on their own.

 

[Mea]

They had someone who raises the guard dogs explain that they would kill anyone or anything that they perceived "threatened" their goats.
DonnaBelle

$.02 here...take it for what it is worth...

There is a Lot of difference between a Guard Dog and a Livestock Guardian Dog.

Most Guardian Dogs rely on their size and voice to deter threats. They will place themselves Between a threat and their charges. A good one would not back down from a fight... but also would not go actively Seeking one.

Ok....back in my cave.......

 

[Amp]

Thanks everyone
I'm still not sure what I want to do but I don't want another dog. I also don't want to do the electric fence because I will have 3 small boys 4 and under and that scares me. We don't plan on having electricity or anything like that in the barn so should I really be worried about a fire. I'm thinking I will do a small stall and try locking them up. I'm thinking that will make me feel better but I really have no idea.

 

[elevan]

fyi...barn fires can start without electricity in your barn
following article is from this link: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/dairy/facts/hayfires.htm

Spontaneous Combustion and Hay Fires

Lives have been lost and hay crops destroyed because of fires caused by spontaneous combustion. This year has been particularly bad for hay heating due to the hot humid weather. If the hay crop is put into the mow above 20-25% moisture content, spontaneous combustion may occur.

A hay crop that is placed too wet into a mow will heat rapidly. If the mow is so large that heat loss is restricted, the internal temperature will rise. As the temperature rises above 130F (55C), a chemical reaction occurs and may sustain itself. This reaction does not require oxygen, but the flammable gases produced are at a temperature above their ignition point. These gases will ignite when they come in contact with the air.

Check your hay regularly. If you detect a slight caramel odour or a distinct musty smell, chances are your hay is heating.

What do you do if you suspect that your hay is heating? First of all, make yourself a simple probe that can be inserted into the hay mass to check the temperature. A probe can be made from a 10 foot piece of electrical tubing. Rivet a hardwood pointed dowel to one end and drill 8 - 3/16 inch diameter holes in the tube just above the dowel. Drive the probe into the hay mass and lower a candy thermometer on a long string into the probe. The thermometer should be left for 10 minutes to ensure an accurate reading.

Watch for the following temperatures:

150F (65C) ** Entering the Danger Zone. Check temperature daily.

160F (70C) ** Danger! Measure temperature every four hours and inspect mow.

175F (80C) ** Call the Fire Department! Wet hay down and remove from the barn.

185F (85C) ** Hot Spots and Pockets May be Expected. Flames will likely develop when heating hay comes in contact with the air.

212F (100C) Critical! Temperature rise is rapid above this point. Hay will almost certainly ignite.

Caution: Before entering the mow, place long planks on top of the hay. Do not attempt to walk on the hay mass itself. Pockets may have already burned out under the hay surface. Always tie a rope around your waist and have a second person on the other end in a safe location to pull you out should the surface of the hay collapse into a fire pocket.

Extreme caution should be taken when fighting a hay fire if hay has been treated with chemical preservatives. Hay treated with preservatives containing ethoxyquin and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) will produce hydrogen cyanide gas at around 240F (115C). This gas is very deadly. Additives containing primarily propionic acid to not produce hydrogen cyanide during a fire.

Many farmers sprinkle salt on hay as it is stored, in an effort to prevent hay fires. However, tests have shown that salt has no effect on controlling spontaneous combustion. Dry ice, liquid nitrogen or carbon dioxide gas pumped into the hay will prevent combustion by eliminating the oxygen from the hay mass.

Spontaneous combustion is not an accident. By following good storage practices, not only will spontaneous combustion by avoided, but a higher quality of hay will be obtained

If you don't want a dog...you can look into other forms of livestock guardians such as llamas or donkeys...it really depends on your predators.

 

[ksalvagno]

If you store your hay correctly and have good air flow, that shouldn't be a problem. Hay should be stored cut side up for air to be able to get through. Also make sure your hay isn't wet. Wet hay will heat up and can "catch" on fire.

 

[DonnaBelle]

Very interesting information regarding the hay, elevan!! It gets very hot and dry around here, especially this year.

I don't have any hay in the barn right now, mine are all out brousing from early morning til almost dusk.

My goats are looking much better since giving birth in April and May. They're getting their shiny coats back.

Thanks for the recipe for the goat salve, just printed it off.

Grandson taught me how to copy and paste. YAHoo!!

DonnaBelle

 

[elevan]

Very interesting information regarding the hay, elevan!! It gets very hot and dry around here, especially this year.

I don't have any hay in the barn right now, mine are all out brousing from early morning til almost dusk.

My goats are looking much better since giving birth in April and May. They're getting their shiny coats back.

Thanks for the recipe for the goat salve, just printed it off.

Grandson taught me how to copy and paste. YAHoo!!

DonnaBelle