Bee's Guest House

[Beekissed]

It looks very professional. I like girlie construction, that is some thing I could do myself...maybe.

Are the panels very expensive?

Is it hard to make the arc? Do you bend them yourself?

I need a safe place for puppy to go to the potty this winter, as she probably won't learn the invisible fence til spring.

The panels are around $18 at Southern States. The arc is not a bit difficult to make if one side is already fastened to the T posts. I can bend them myself but I had Eli to help me. I put the tarping and cargo netting on by myself, though it was a little difficult when one is short.

The possibilities are endless with these nice, sturdy panels...this only took four panels and is quite large. Just think how cheaply you could get by if you only used a few and made a small, movable cooping structure.

I even used the cattle panels to make a self feeding type situation for my sheep this winter. I'm hoping this cuts down on waste and my having to lift bales of hay. I'll let you all know how it turned out. I'll take pics of the setup soon and post this as well.

 

[Beekissed]

Bee, Love that shelter! Do you have special plans for Thanksgiving? Somehow I imagine it being a very cozy and restful and full of laughter kinda day around your place.

I suspect it will be a lot like everyone else's.....good food, homemade bread and turkey smells, good fun~we usually play cards and Scrabble and end up wishing we hadn't eaten quite so much!!!

 

[Beekissed]

These pups are growing so quickly! I am amazed at how sweet and smart these little guys are. My son gave them evening feeding and didn't stay to tuck them into their bed.....so they just showed up at the back door to see "Mama" later on.

They came in, greeted me, played a little and piled up to go to sleep. Almost like they just couldn't go to sleep out there in the dog barn without our evening routine!

After awhile I called them to me, we walked on our own steam(they are getting too big to carry)back to the dog barn and went immediately to get a drink and go to bed. Just like little kids, I swear!

That tickled me!

I must admit they have been pretty easy to have around. They ignore the chickens, try to avoid the sheep, and pretty much behave themselves all day.

I can't wait to start training them and taking them places.

 

[framing fowl]

That's the worst part about puppies in my opinion... they grow up too fast! Glad you're enjoying them.

 

[BarredBuff]

My dog is not a chicken fan, sadly.

 

[Beekissed]

Barred, what breed is your dog?

 

[BarredBuff]

Barred, what breed is your dog?

He is a beagel cross. I think he is crossed with a shepherd of some sort. He has a shepherd tail. But beagel mainly. He is adopted. His owners just got up and left him and luckily the shelter saved him. I thinke he'd be poultry friendly if he was raised around em.

Hope ya dont mind the pic!!

 

[BarredBuff]

I forgot to add, I like your new avatar!!

 

[kcsunshine]

My beagle skirts way around my hens when they're out - after they got her down on the ground and beat her with their wings. Then they chased the cat around the side of the shop. I don't think a predator stands a chance around my hens when it's daylight.

 

[Beekissed]

Barred, if she is smart and receptive to your commands and moods, you could train her to be around your chickens.

My younger dog, Jake, trained in one day~about 20 min. total, really~ at the age of 7 mo. to be around chickens. He hasn't broke training for the past 4 years of free ranging 24/7, so I feel I can trust him pretty well.

I think the problem with most folks looking for LGDs is they forget that, when you have a back yard instead of a big pasture, any dog can serve this purpose. They are mainly there to deter predation, which their mere presence does very well. It's a plus if you have a big breed that is also not afraid to take on large predators...but it still doesn't have to be a typical LGD breed to do this.

That is what this forum is all about, really...making do with what you have. Make it work if at all possible. Then you can have your pet dog and guard your chickens too.