Coffee anyone ?

[frustratedearthmother]

Yea - what she said! Seems that I have offended you. That wasn't my intent. You've said that you appreciate input. Just raising some ideas. But, it seems as if he feels the need to carry a rifle for predators - and he's your neighbor - that the predators might not be that far away. I'm one of those crazy people who think a $2 chicken and a $10 rabbit deserve protection too. As I sit here and listen to my LGD's raising hell in the pasture and the coyotes howling right across the road - I have no worries. Glad that you don't either!

 

[Baymule]

Good morning! Coffee is ready! Last night, Sentry the 7 month old puppy was barking, BIG DOG barking. He was up at the front fence, looking south, the direction all the ruckus came from last night, so I figured the coyotes were crossing the road with their prize. I walked to the gate and he came galloping to me. I praised him, petted him and gave him lots of reinforcement. He is gonna be one outstanding dog when he grows up. Heck, he is outstanding now.

Another sunny day today. Got to do SOMETHING outside today! I'm sure I'll come up with something.

 

[promiseacres]

Morning, thanks for the coffee. School, speech, milk run and cleaning rabbit cages today.

 

[B&B Happy goats]

It's go get feed, groceries and errands day...
Going to a gun store to trade my 12 gauge (never fired) shotgun in for a better hand gun.while DH puppy sits....
Have a great day everyone. ..

 

[Duckfarmerpa1]

Yes, he's had his rifle scabbarded on his tractor everytime I've seen him on the farm. Yes, it's for predators. He is protecting some very valuable cattle, and not $2 chickens or $10 rabbits like I have. I am just enjoying the fruits of his labors.
No, I've given no thought to the fact that I may be raising "bait". But, I don't quite follow. Are you suggesting that I should forego having animals so I don't tempt predators....or just cautioning me that I may be faced with them in the future in spite of my neighbor's vigilance? I, like most, I suppose, house my animals with a modicum of protection in mind, and am ready to step up security if circumstances change (like actually SEEING a raccoon track in the mud by the pond). I refuse to live in fear of ALL possibilities, but will take any and all measures necessary if circumstances warrant.

I agree. I’ve lost three ducks to predators. But I have an entire farm of animals that give us great joy. I’m not saying that my ducks were not valuable..because I think it’s clear by my avatar that ducks are one of my favorite animals...but, I d rather loose a few than not have any. That’s just like the whole...better to have love and lost ....idea...at least in my mind

 

[Duckfarmerpa1]

Hoping for a boring day here! But it looks decent out so that’s a plus..we’re due for more snow..1-3”. Have to go get bananas a staple of my diet

 

[Xerocles]

Yea - what she said! Seems that I have offended you. That wasn't my intent.

OH NO! You didn't offend me! I was genuinely baffled by the way your post was worded. IF, as I read it the first time, you were suggesting that I shouldn't be raising animals because they attracted predators, then YES, I would have been highly offended. So, I was being prepared for whatever path that was following.....just as we prepare in advance for potential predator attacks.
There is no way to "predator proof" our properties. Even @Baymule with her pack of LGDs had a bobcat make it all the way to the barn, about to enter the inner-sanctum. Thank God her precautions paid off (good puppies!) That's all we can do- protect as far as we think is reasonable. Predators have been dealt a major setback in the area near my place, because the landowners will not abide them. Now, the primary predator is domestic dogs. The week before Christmas my neighbor gave me a courtesy call to see if my dog was home, then immediately dispatched a dog wandering his pasture. Had it been a coyote, bobcat, fox, or raccoon, the outcome would have bee similar. I have never even seen a hawk over my property. Another neighbor less than a mile from me raises game chickens. I can neither confirm nor deny that he fights them, but he sells them for several hundred $ each...and I'm pretty sure he's never been to a sanctioned chicken show. He doesn't seem the type to be deterred by federal protection laws. He's protecting chickens valued as much as a dairy cow. I'm microscopic compared to my neighbors. I have 6 chickens and three rabbits. Chicken run is 16' X 16' completely enclosed, 1/2" wire 6' high, 2' apron. No free range except when supervised. Rabbits in all-wire suspended cages with field fencing around the shed. AND I have a very protective dog (not official LGD but proven to be deadly to animals encroaching on "her" property.) And I'm "proactive". Hell, we've been bantering proper fencing and protection for two goats that I don't plan on getting for probably 4 months! I feel like I do better than many successful and well established members on here in that respect. Ppl routinely mention things like "just got two really cute piglets...gotta quickly figure out where I'm gonna put them." Any animal coming here has been prepared for, with all infrastructure in place BEFORE they set paw on the place.
Gosh, I apologize everyone. I realize I got carried away here, and the coffee club isn't the place.
Just know, I wasn't offended. I welcome all input to improve my husbandry practices. We all (hopefully) do the best we can under our circumstances as we see them. If I lived in east Texas, I would probably enlist my neighbors to hire professional hunters to reduce the predator load around our properties. But I DON'T live in east Texas, so I will not question their methods, because I don't understand their unique circumstances.
SEE! I got carried away and let my coffee get cold. Can I get another cup if I promise to keep my big mouth shut?

 

[Baymule]

Haha. if you lived in east Texas you wouldn't have to hire anyone to reduce predators. The woods are full of hunters and they live to hunt, some hunt to live. Feral pig is tasty, if you shoot the young ones. Shoot the old ones and they feed the buzzards.

Don't keep your big mouth shut. It's ok.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I'm sorry the way my post was worded gave you pause. Again, I apologize. I was merely bringing it up because I've seen it happen so many times. I think you re taking great precautions and enjoy following your journey. Carry on Sir!

 

[Xerocles]

It's go get feed, groceries and errands day...
Going to a gun store to trade my 12 gauge (never fired) shotgun in for a better hand gun.while DH puppy sits....
Have a great day everyone. ..

OH NO! Trade IN a gun? Get a better pistol, sure, but a shotgun is SO versatile around the home and farm. I've got guns that I haven't fired in over 20 years. Come to think of it, I've got guns I've NEVER fired that I've had for over 20 years. Many of you suffer from (chicken, rabbit, goat, etc) math. I am a victim of gun math. Never met a gun I didn't like or could resist at the right price.