New Pastures

Settling in to new pastures.

It has now been 24 hours since the goats arrived back home. They are settled in and things are back to normal.

I thought I would post a little on the observations that I made as our Kangals helped the goats adjust to their new environment and homes. I see all these things many times over year after year but just forget to write them down and post about it to the list.

It is so common around here to see these behaviors and I EXPECT it in all my livestock dogs. The Kangals at the farm are in fact EXCELLENT working livestock dogs. If they don't work as expected & in the manner that they should, then other more appropriate homes would be found for them.

Yes, the goats were here before and then went to my friend Jackie's this past December. But, they were in different pastures and for Nicholas our little buck, he had never seen sheep before. For him to see an entire herd of sheep running toward him as he was put to pasture was a bit startling to say the least. His hair stood up all down his neck and back but he quickly found that the sheep posed no threat and just wanted to see the new fellow.

Also, believe me when I say goats KNOW when they are not where they were before. Our does kept looking toward the shed where they were last year wondering why they were not put in the same place. Reason is because that is where the Alpacas are going. Also the does are now closer to the barn and that is helpful at milking time.

Anyway, when Nic (the same buck that is shown on the Working Traits page sharing a meal with Lokum's pups last summer) was put in the large sheep pasture Inca and Jazz immediately came up to greet the new little fellow and welcome him. Tails & entire bodies were wagging. They licked him on the face and then they took up guarding him and making him feel at home.

The dogs KNOW what stock need the attention and they give it in full. I have so many stories I can tell. Maybe sometime I will take the time to start writing them all down.

For the past 24 hours each time I went to check on Nic, there he was laying in the shade under the feeder with Inca on one side of him and Yasemin on his other side. He felt very safe with those two flanking him. I could see by his behavior that as the day went on he was more and more comfortable.

It had been so hot lately that the gals have a nice cool hole to stay in during the day. As they catch sounds you can see little eyes peaking up out of the hole. Darlene saw that with Hediye when she came for her visit. Remember Darlene?

It is just too funny to see. I will try to get a photo of Hediye and her eyes peaking out of the hole sometime. If it is no issue then the eyes go back down. If it is an issue the entire dog is out of the hole in a second and on duty.

Reminds me of alligators in the swamp back home in Florida - LOL ! Many times you can just see the eyes of the gator peaking around in the swamps and that is all. The entire body is submerged.

Anyway, the doggies keep an eye on the flock but are in the cool during the hot day. The flock does not move around much during the hot portion of the day either. But, with the new fellow, Inca, Pilot, and Jazz abandoned their holes and took up watch by his side.

I tried many times to get a photo of the gals keeping watch on the new boy, but each time I came in camera range Nic would jump up to speak with me and the moment was lost. I know this flanking guard will not last long. As Nic settles in and is less fearful of his new area, the gals will not flank him any longer but go back to the normal routine. These dogs KNOW what is needed and when.

Even as Inca & Jazz watch over Nic, they have the sheep in their eyesight and range if help is needed. Several times yesterday they would check something that caught their attention on the north side of the pasture and would shoot off to check it out. So they remain on guard as well. Pilot stayed with the flock as Inca and Yasemin checked out any potential threats.

Regarding the does. Hediye is the one that is (at the moment) both out and about on the farm and also I have her stay part time with the does. She needs to do double guard duty for my home and the does.

Hediye indicates to me SHE would much rather be in the pasture WITH the does and gives me a look that says, What is wrong with you? Let me in that pasture with the does. That is where I should be. However, I need her both places.

She will make rounds on the parameter of the fenced in area around the house and barns. When she is satisfied that all is well and as it should be she will then go and lay down right in front of the gate where the does are.

Several times each day I will let her in with the does. She gives them a welcoming lick and the does feel much more comfortable in the pen when Hediye is in there with them. It is apparent in their behaviors and body language.

At first they gave Hediye the old evil eye that goats do when they first met her. They would arch their bodies and the hair was up on their necks. Believe me, goats also know which dog is THEIR doggie and a new dog is under suspicion until they are happy that they doggie is ok. The does adjusted quickly to their new doggie as was exhibited by their body language. Maverick was their doggie before.

This is an example of their comfort level. Once when the does were eating their hay and grain in the feeder Hediye came up to see what they were eating. One doe felt comfortable enough to turn quickly and give Hediye a little warning butt that this was her food and Hediye was to stay her distance. Hediye, gave a little yelp and jumped back and out of the way. She walked off a few feet and lay down. Very GOOD girl Hediye.

Make no mistake. I am the shepherd and keep watch over my flocks/herds and dogs. I know what is going on and know from many, many, many years experience with many, many, many different livestock dogs the behaviors to expect from excellent livestock dogs and the stocks reactions to the dogs. I would know in a second if something were wrong. Kangals working flock animals is much different than working other types of livestock such as cattle and horses. Flock animals tend to be very flighty and spooky.

Ok, Hediye just came up to the window to tell me it is time to go milk the goats again. Talk with you later.

Char

Written August 4, 2008. May not copy or duplicate.