Why am I losing ducks with my LGD on duty?

Angeliki Manouselis

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Ducks are pretty good size too; I would think that a racoon would have a hard time carrying it in its mouth and climbing a fence. That is just strange that she isn't chasing things off. Could she be depressed from leaving her home and her pups? I know that you are only on an acre but these dogs really do better in pairs.
I was wondering if she might be depressed :( she hangs out with my other to farm dogs too though. But they’re not LGDs and they sleep in the house at night. I’m worried two will be bored here.
 

Angeliki Manouselis

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I would ask the breeder how she was trained and for what?...if it is that sized duck, I doubt that a large GHO could fly off with one....ducks can see at night, but chickens can't....they are blind without light....I had ducks and put them in at night, because of possums and coons, but there would be evidence left with either of those....I still wouldn't count out humans.....we gave our ducks to a lady before we moved and after she had them for about 3mnths, they started missing and she couldn't figure out why or what....then, the culprit was caught....it was a human and he had taken every duck except 1....it was 12 ducks that we gave her....came to find out that there was bad blood between their families and the guy did it cause the lady liked the ducks so much and he wanted her pay for turning him in to the law for something else he did....so, I think ya are wise to get some game cameras set up so ya will know just what ya are up against....:)
If my weird neighbor is stealing my ducks I’d be pissed. He told me he found a carcass of one of my ducks in his land when I asked him if he’s seen any coyotes or bobcats. But I don’t think it is him. I think the dogs would be going crazy if that were the case. I need to get this camera system up ASAP.
 

babsbag

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When I had my first duck disappear I found the feathers and a few bones about 800' from my pen. I am sure it was a coyote. Yes to the cameras.

I live on 5 acres but when I first got my LGDs they were in a field that was about 1/4 acre. They did fine.
 

Angeliki Manouselis

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When I had my first duck disappear I found the feathers and a few bones about 800' from my pen. I am sure it was a coyote. Yes to the cameras.

I live on 5 acres but when I first got my LGDs they were in a field that was about 1/4 acre. They did fine.
That is good to know because my pasture is about 1/4 acre. So you had two LGDs in a smaller area? My neighbor swears there are coyotes around. I’ve never heard any. Wouldn’t they dig under the fences?
 

CntryBoy777

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Not necessarily.....they can jump about 10' high....flatfooted, standing still jump.....they will also use their dew claws to climb the fence.....if they are in a pack...2-3 will draw the dogs attention while others get in, get, and hightail it out....then they will share the spoils....if they are successful, they will continue til all are full or they are scared off by whatever the means.
 

Angeliki Manouselis

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Not necessarily.....they can jump about 10' high....flatfooted, standing still jump.....they will also use their dew claws to climb the fence.....if they are in a pack...2-3 will draw the dogs attention while others get in, get, and hightail it out....then they will share the spoils....if they are successful, they will continue til all are full or they are scared off by whatever the means.
Wow, I had no idea!! :hu
Well I will hopefully know by next week what it is because the cameras are hopefully going up Sunday
 

CntryBoy777

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Something else to think of....there might not be anything "wrong" with your dog....but, if she is separated at night with the goats and chickens....and the ducks stay out....the routine seems to signal that the ducks are not her's and she doesn't watch them....also, ducks can fly the degree to which they do can be factored by breed and wt.....within the breed it will vary by the duck and wt plays a role.....I know a lady that had some Pekins and she said they would fly over 100' ...7' off the ground....we had Khaki Campbells and they would only fly about 6' high for about 15-20'.....I fed them some pellets to keep them on the heavier side......:)
 

Angeliki Manouselis

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Something else to think of....there might not be anything "wrong" with your dog....but, if she is separated at night with the goats and chickens....and the ducks stay out....the routine seems to signal that the ducks are not her's and she doesn't watch them....also, ducks can fly the degree to which they do can be factored by breed and wt.....within the breed it will vary by the duck and wt plays a role.....I know a lady that had some Pekins and she said they would fly over 100' ...7' off the ground....we had Khaki Campbells and they would only fly about 6' high for about 15-20'.....I fed them some pellets to keep them on the heavier side......:)

Well they're all in the same pasture, I meant "out" because they don't want to go in a pen of any kind, my chickens get locked up "sometimes" (when i'm off work because i'm home when they're ready for bed) and the goats stay out in the pasture all night.
 

babsbag

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If it is a coyote your goats could be next. I see coyotes around here and they jump the 4' fence without even trying. They also dig under, just depends on what is the easiest. Please be sure and let us know what the cameras catch.

Yes, I had two LGDs in a very small pasture. I just like them in pairs...I like to raise everything with another of their own kind. They aren't high energy dogs and they never seemed to be bored. And they did play with each other, which I liked.
 

Southern by choice

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The farm you got her from, how many LGD's was she with? Was she part of a team? I know she had pups, I am not talking about them.
 

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