What will happen to my LGD if I get rid of my goats?

norcalfarm · #1 03/09/11, 09:51 AM

A long time ago, my goats finished eating the brush they were originally tasked with eating. I have always said that I would only allow animals on my property that do a service. About a year ago we downsized our goat population. I now have three left but I still consider getting rid of them. We plan on getting a cow or two this year so the goats would compete for much of the same pasture. Also, I constantly worry about my goats getting into my yard and eating all of my fruit trees which has happened in the past. Right now I feel the goats are doing me no good but we have a maremma that is very bonded to them. For this reason we keep them around. She also seems to be bonded to the chickens. She protects all of the animals and our family very well so getting rid of her is not an option.

If I get rid of my goats and buy a cow or two, will my dog bond to the cows? Do you think that her bond with chickens is enough for her? Any thoughts would help.

Thank you!
Jason

Judy in IN · #2 03/09/11, 10:14 AM

I wouldn't get rid of the goats. They eat different browse than the cows, so won't put added pressure on your pasture. They will also be a dead end for the parasites in your cows, and vice versa.

Maremma are territorial as well as livestock protectors. Shoot, I would keep her just to keep the varmits out of your chickens, and ne'er do wells out of your house. She sounds like a keeper to ME!

Oftentimes, people don't realize just how much protection they are getting from that big dog drowsing in the flowerbeds. Sadly, after a party of raccoons comes through, or a burgler, God forbid, they regret getting rid of that good dog.

If you must, get rid of the goats, but I wouldn't lose that dog. She'll be fine after a mourning period. OR, you could sell her with the goats if she's really bonded.

mnn2501 · #3 03/09/11, 10:26 AM

How about getting your cows but keeping the goats for a few months until your dog gets used to the cows (while still having the goats) that will allow it bonding time.

norcalfarm · #4 03/09/11, 11:56 AM

Judy in IN: I'm definitely not getting rid of the dog. We were losing chickens daily until we got the dog and she is very intimidating toward people who are not welcome. I have also seen her fight off three dogs and win.

mnn2501: That was my plan. I just don't know how much the dog will bond to cows.

The goats are nice to have around in the spring to eat down the brush that pops up but the other nine months of the year, they don't do much. The other option might be to keep the goats and rent them out, there is a business here doing that. Then the goats would just be in and out.

April · #5 03/09/11, 01:41 PM

Our LGDs avoid the cows because the cows despise them. I think the cows would rather stomp the dogs into a mud hole than look at them. I don't think the dogs would be very happy without anything to do, either. But - guarding the chickens may be just fine.

Tabitha · #6 03/09/11, 02:13 PM

I doubt that the chickens are enough. Cows just are not personable with the dogs. I have the same experience. Cows can make a huge mess of a garden, been there seen that. Is the dog more bonded to you or the goats?

Cheribelle · #7 03/09/11, 02:32 PM

You plan to eat/ milk the cows? You can eat/ milk goats, too......

norcalfarm · #8 03/09/11, 02:54 PM

The dog is more bonded to the goats but protects the chickens very well. We tried to milk our goats but without penning them up where none of our native brush grows, we could not keep the milk tasting halfway decent.

Chad · #9 03/09/11, 04:23 PM

Apologies for the stupid question but LGD???

Large Guard Dog? Thats my only guess.

Fowler · #10 03/09/11, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad

Apologies for the stupid question but LGD???

Large Guard Dog? Thats my only guess.

Livestock guarding dog

This sounds like a question for the Guard Animals forum...I hope they find your post norcalfarm

wolffeathers · #11 03/09/11, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad

Apologies for the stupid question but LGD???

Large Guard Dog? Thats my only guess.

Close! Livestock Guardian Dog.

My cows do NOT like our dogs. They take every opportunity to chase them from the pasture. LGD and pets alike. Even the sweet ol' dairy cow runs them out and by 2 months taught her baby to do the same. The dogs give them plenty of personal space.

Personally I would keep the goats. You could always sell any resulting offspring and they will continue to keep brush down. Three goats aren't much of competition. You could always excuse them as scapegoats, telling yourself if there ever was a predator, they would take the goats before taking the calves.

Where there's a will, there's an excuse.

TedH71 · #12 03/09/11, 10:15 PM

Cur dogs can work cattle like nobody's business. I'm serious. That's why ranchers have them in the south.

Mrs. Mucket · #13 03/09/11, 10:55 PM

I'm pretty sure your Maremma will bond with the cows if you tell and show her that they are hers to watch over. As far as only having chickens to guard, we have two Maremmas and only 18 chickens for them to keep an eye on. But the Maremmas are happy and busy patrolling the perimeter fencelines (about three acres) and keeping coyotes and other critters out of the area.

If the goats leave, I suspect your Maremma will miss them for a time but will still focus on her chickens, the family, and the property.

jill.costello · #14 03/10/11, 07:21 AM

I completely underestimated the GOOD work my goats were doing on my fencelines and thorny vines until I decided to let the pasture "rest" and move the horses and goats to the other pasture.....after 3 weeks, I was astonished at what weedy nastiness came back! Goats went right back out there and had it all tidy again very quickly.

Shygal · #15 03/10/11, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norcalfarm

The goats are nice to have around in the spring to eat down the brush that pops up but the other nine months of the year, they don't do much. The other option might be to keep the goats and rent them out, there is a business here doing that. Then the goats would just be in and out.

You might THINK they don't do much, you may be surprised at what they actually do, once you got rid of them.

As for renting them, I would be worried of disease, parasites, etc

norcalfarm · #16 03/10/11, 10:41 AM

Thank you everybody for your thoughts. From everything that you have said, I am leaning toward keeping them. I'm just really concerned that they will get to my fruit trees. I guess that I may just have to live with it. The fencing around my yard is good but occasionally my kids leave a gate open and I will come home and find the goats in my yard.

wolffeathers · #17 03/10/11, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norcalfarm

Thank you everybody for your thoughts. From everything that you have said, I am leaning toward keeping them. I'm just really concerned that they will get to my fruit trees. I guess that I may just have to live with it. The fencing around my yard is good but occasionally my kids leave a gate open and I will come home and find the goats in my yard.

We worry about this with all our animals. We used to let the horses graze the frontyard in summer, well you wouldn't believe the damage a single gelding in the blackberry patch can do. We didn't have blackberries that year and a small harvest the next.

Oh and then the damage cows can do is nothing compared to goats. The inlaws had a beautiful pecan tree growing(they started from a little teeny plant 4-5inches tall) and it had achieved some decent size to it(3-4inch diameter trunk). Well back in the inlaws had angus, their young bull got loose and decided the pecan tree was a good scratching post. Snapped that poor innocent tree right in half, the inlaws mourn that pecan tree even today. LOL (He also murdered the dogwood trees) That they can't snap scratching on, they'll eat and they've got more reach than a goat. Cows would be death to your fruit trees.(Not to scare you, just fair warning, so you can prepare!)

After the chickens destroyed the veggie garden and strawberry patch last year, we finally(we're hard headed) learned our lesson and put up a 3 board fence with field fencing on the inside, and a couple strands of hotwire as backup. The veggies and fruit are now safe, and we can sleep peacefully at night.

Minelson · #18 03/10/11, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norcalfarm

The goats are nice to have around in the spring to eat down the brush that pops up but the other nine months of the year, they don't do much.

They are doing a lot if they are keeping your dog happy!

wolffeathers · #19 03/10/11, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minelson

They are doing a lot if they are keeping your dog happy!

I'm glad I'm not the only owner of a dog who has his own pets. Granted mine has a pet cat, but still, he has a pet nevertheless.

oregon woodsmok · #20 03/10/11, 01:34 PM

Your dog is more bonded to your property than to the goats and will continue to protect the farm and the chickens when the goats are gone.

Dogs don't mourn for long.