The Keepers of Our Flocks and Herds
Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.
Proverbs 27:23
Proverbs 27:23
In addition to raccoons, opossums, skunks, owls, hawks, and foxes, we have large predators such as coyotes, black bears, and bobcats. We depend on our guardians to help keep our rare breed livestock and poultry safe. We keep our goats and poultry in the large barnyard paddock at night for added security, and the livestock guardian dogs (LGDs) Tytus, Emmi and Solomon patrol and guard them. They also accompany them out to graze. Our guineas have an exceptional ability to see predators or uninvited guests before anything or anyone else on the farm, and they sound their alarm accordingly. The geese also honk when they see something out of the ordinary. It's fascinating to watch the guardians work together and to see the livestock and poultry depend on them for safety. When they hear the LGDs' barks or the guinea and geese alarm calls, they have learned to seek a safe place. We also have four donkeys that we pasture on the outside perimeters for added patrol.
We consider pests to be a form of predator also, as they endanger the health of our animals. Our several barn cats are efficient hunters, keeping our mice population down. The guineas, ducks, turkeys, and peafowl are excellent for insect control, keeping ticks and flies off our animals, and keeping snails (which carry meningeal deerworm) out of our grass; they will eat some mice, too. Guineas and peafowl also kill and eat snakes.
Our philosophy is that every animal here serves a purpose and each specie is interdependent of the others, in a polyculture ideal. The guardians have a crucial role in this practice.
We consider pests to be a form of predator also, as they endanger the health of our animals. Our several barn cats are efficient hunters, keeping our mice population down. The guineas, ducks, turkeys, and peafowl are excellent for insect control, keeping ticks and flies off our animals, and keeping snails (which carry meningeal deerworm) out of our grass; they will eat some mice, too. Guineas and peafowl also kill and eat snakes.
Our philosophy is that every animal here serves a purpose and each specie is interdependent of the others, in a polyculture ideal. The guardians have a crucial role in this practice.