livestock dogs/ small penned area

oceanmist · #1 09/12/07, 09:52 PM

I am considering moving my Alpine doe and my daughter's Boer/Saanen doe to a place closer to us in town. It would mean housing them in a smaller area, probably 30*80 with a well sheltered area for sleeping and eating in.

My biggest concern is the dogs in the neighbor hood. So I thought that maybe I could invest in a LGD, but will they stay in the pen with the goats if it is made of cattle panels? Would they scare the goats if the goats have never been around dogs?

I would only be able to go out to feed and care for them 2x's a day and sometimes they would be unsupervised altogether as the folks aren't always home there....

still not totally sure this would be best for the goats, but considering all options...

Thanks Misty

Bearfootfarm · #2 09/12/07, 11:04 PM

LGD's need more room than that. They are large, energetic dogs that need room to roam and run around.

I wont sell one of mine to anyone with less than 5 acres

Just put up a predator proof fence

oceanmist · #3 09/12/07, 11:09 PM

What would be a predator 'proof' fence? Thank you, Misty

Bearfootfarm · #4 09/13/07, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oceanmist

What would be a predator 'proof' fence? Thank you, Misty

I'd use 4 X 4 woven wire or "cattle panels" with the same spacing, and run a few "hot " wires on the inside and outside, and also at the top to add to the height. Hot wires at the bottom and middle will keep predators from digging under , and the goats from climbing or rubbing on the fence.

Any GOOD LGD will stay with their animals, but I dont think it's practical to have a dog for just a couple of goats.

Here's a lot of good info on dogs if you want to research that idea more, also.

http://www.bountifulfarm.com/lgd_seminar.htm

oceanmist · #5 09/14/07, 12:35 AM

My thoughts were down this line... I already know from having the goats in this location last year that the neighbors dog will run the fence causing the goats great stress. He is a proven livestock (chicken) killer. He is BIG... probably weighing close to 120 lbs. with a head like a bear! I have doubts that an electric wire would make any difference in his pacing the fence behaviour.... unless there were small tabs sticking out along the bottom somehow... HMM

anyway, i just don't want my goats out there all day long being harrassed by other dogs...

I could make the pen bigger, but the whole property is only 1 acre with a house and several outbuilding so the pen would never be very big...

just wanted to consider everything and make things as best as I can for the goats... we may choose not to move them at all, but I know how much my daughter aches for her goat and so wants to be able to participate in her kidding this spring... we'll see what happens I guess

thanks Misty