We're new!
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Southern by choice
Herd Master
Welcome!We were also wondering, what kind of dogs do you guys like to have on the farm? We have a rotti, and just had to put our border collie/golden retriever down.He was 13 and the best dog ever. We are wanting to get a good farm dog. Any suggestions?
As far as dogs it generally depends on the livestock you keep but Livestock Guardian animals are best on farms.
There are Livestock Guardian dogs, llamas and donkeys.
We have Anatolians Shepherd LGD's and Great Pyrenees LGD's.
We havea total of 8 LGD's for our goats and poultry. 4 fields.
400 acres! I'd be in heaven!
Sorry about the loss of your pet, never easy to let them go.
Southern by choice
Herd Master
It may be best to direct your questions to specific forums. You will get better info from those that directly have experience in each field.
I did give a rec on your welcome thread about the dogs.
I did give a rec on your welcome thread about the dogs.
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FarmersDigest
Ridin' The Range
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What a cute name! Oh ok great thank you!
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FarmersDigest
Ridin' The Range
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Thank you southern by choice. Oh my what beautiful dogs! Yeah we are excited and yet so scared. Wow, are yours the kind that stay out in the field? We want dogs that are also apart of our lives, and yet protect the animals on the farm too. Yeah it was really hard, he was our baby! Thank you for the hugs. You guys are sure great on here!
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FarmersDigest
Ridin' The Range
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Thank you. Yeah sorry one thing I hate about being new to thing's. Sorry to everyone. I just thought since we had so many questions, we could just put them in on spot. That's what I get for wanting to do it the quick way. Sorry everyone! I noticed that and I appreciate you responding, thank you for helping me as well!
Southern by choice
Herd Master
Don't apologize! Often what happens is you will get a lot of responses for one thing but not enough on another subject.
I think the first thing would be to take it slow. I say that because often when a person is brand new to farming and they take on a variety of animals all at once disaster strikes.
You may also want to check out your county or surrounding counties extension services. Often there will be specific classes you can take to learn about particular issues (ie parasites, diseases, nutrition etc)
those classes are never the whole picture but sure can be a help.
Also looking at different breeds of cattle that do well for your environment, same as sheep goats etc.
We have no cows but we do have goats and sheep and poultry. Meat goats and dairy goats.
@purplequeenvt has sheep and has cattle. she milks their cow... she would be great to ask how that works for her. @WildRoseBeef is also great! They have been tagged so they will probably at some point chime in.
A good place to start is making a list of long term goals and then short term and a tentative plan as how to get there.
You may be surprised at how longgggg everything takes. lol
Processing chickens is an all day affair here.
Of course after you said your Dh is a butcher I was thinking why don't you live here!
Often what happens is you will get a lot of responses for one thing but not enough on another subject.I think the first thing would be to take it slow. I say that because often when a person is brand new to farming and they take on a variety of animals all at once disaster strikes.
You may also want to check out your county or surrounding counties extension services. Often there will be specific classes you can take to learn about particular issues (ie parasites, diseases, nutrition etc)
those classes are never the whole picture but sure can be a help.
Also looking at different breeds of cattle that do well for your environment, same as sheep goats etc.
We have no cows but we do have goats and sheep and poultry. Meat goats and dairy goats.
@purplequeenvt has sheep and has cattle. she milks their cow... she would be great to ask how that works for her. @WildRoseBeef is also great! They have been tagged so they will probably at some point chime in.
A good place to start is making a list of long term goals and then short term and a tentative plan as how to get there.
You may be surprised at how longgggg everything takes. lol
Processing chickens is an all day affair here.
Of course after you said your Dh is a butcher I was thinking why don't you live here!
Southern by choice
Herd Master
LGD's live with the livestock! They need to. However we do routine our dogs to the whole family and house BUT they are not "housepets" They each visit us in the house, but they live for their job and are best at that. All of our dogs are gentle giants with our family. They love the children. LGD breeds are NOT like regular dogs or pets. They are wired quite differently and they need to be.
Goat Whisperer
Herd Master
& Welcome to BYH from North Carolina.
goatgurl
Herd Master
Welcome from Arklahoma, you've picked a good place to come and learn. what kind of livestock do you plan to have besides the cattle and horses? An English shepherd is an excellent farm dog for all around. a lot of us have livestock guardian dogs who stay out in the pasture with the goats or sheep all the time as protection from predators and most of them are great with family too but they are hardwired to live with and protect their flock just like a border collie or Australian shepherd are hardwired to herd animals. my Katie (Maremma lgd) will meet me at the gate and wiggle and wag to let me know how glad she is to see me, follow me on to the house and then go back to her goats. that's her normal.
