SageHill Ranch Journal

[RR Homestead]

WOW! I haven't thought of star thistle in a few years. We had them everywhere in Murphys CA.

We fight it really bad. Once we started beekeeping we got lax about cutting it until after the bloom. Bee's love the flowers. It's getting thicker again because of it.

Remember awhile back those two German Shepherds that I saw out grazing - well they were back yesterday. Saw them on the camera -- not thrilled. At least the sheep weren't out at that point - but it was only by minutes of me taking my time sipping coffee.

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The two ewe lambs from yesterday -- both are nursing and mama ewe is fine with it. Guess she figured out they
were actually hers. YAY and both gained weight they are both 7.8# now.
Looking at the rest of the yews there could be more lambs. At most 4 more ewes. Two are already breaking off from the rest of the flock some. I'll definitely keep a close watch and will have a pellet delivery system with me.
The new lambs from yesterday.
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And the two lambs from Thursday.... (the one has one spot - on his face!).
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Those lambs are soooo cute!!!

 

[Baymule]

Are those German Shepherds on your property?

 

[SageHill]

Are those German Shepherds on your property?

Yup. Disappeared by the time I got out there. Found out there were three -- they were chasing the cattle and one got shot. No one knows who they belong to. they gotta get gone.

 

[fuzzi]

We had a couple strays show up here this afternoon, but the chickens are secure, and the cats went into the fenced backyard, probably hid under the sheds.

People who let their dogs roam are jerks. It's not just dangerous to livestock, but unfair to the dogs that get hurt, or shot.

 

[fuzzi]

Yup. Disappeared by the time I got out there. Found out there were three -- they were chasing the cattle and one got shot. No one knows who they belong to. they gotta get gone.

You going to carry next time?

 

[RR Homestead]

Yup. Disappeared by the time I got out there. Found out there were three -- they were chasing the cattle and one got shot. No one knows who they belong to. they gotta get gone.

I may have said this before but we have a ton of german shephards roaming free around here. They are the dogs of choice right now for a certain group of folks around here. Some years back two got into our friends flock of hair sheep and we spent the next 8 hours stitching and putting in drains for a group that survived but was very injured. Rams died trying to defend the flocks. Had to put some down of all ages. I got the call, grabbed a rifle and drove to their place as quick as I could. Dogs were still trying to harass the flock. They wouldn't leave even with the two folks standing between them and the flock. I hope to never be in that position again. We used every drain tubing and even some makeshift drains that we had between our two ranches. It was a very bad incident. One I'll never forget. It used to be pit bulls. That fad is over it seems or maybe just with the shift of folks around here.

 

[Mini Horses]

It's so sad because they can be a really good or really bad dog. Not much in-between. Owner negligence, lack of responsibility.

 

[GLENMAR]

As a dog lover, it's sad for everyone. I hope the sheep stay safe.

 

[SageHill]

Having trained herding dogs to herd for the last 40 yrs I can say first hand that German Shepherd easily cause the most damage just to do it. A lot of slash, grab, half shake and shake. Damn ugly stuff.
@fuzzi between the rotten ravens and those two GSDs I'm packing a little with me every time I'm out.

 

[farmerjan]

Not saying that German Shepherds don't cause trouble... BUT , we have had more problems with golden retrievers and huskies over the years than anything else... Pack mentality... and huskies will decimate chicken pens of chickens...
The owners are more to blame.....but the dogs need to be shot if they are caught doing anything... end of story.