Mike and Joe, the new Maremma boys. They will live with the sheep and goats and take care of them. The Fat Ewe Farm has some more new arrivals. This year 4 lambs were lost to predators. A livestock guardian dog that actually lives with the sheep and goats in their pens, bonds to them and protects them from predators so losses are minimized or eliminated. I suspect the first two were dinner for the raven, but the third is mysterious. She was already a few days old and a single lamb. I did see a fox at the gate looking in at the lambs. The dogs do not always smell or hear the sly fox, who enters the yard down wind and in broad daylight. We have also lost 4 chickens this year, so it is time to stop the seekers from eating at the farm. The pups are both males and will be almost a year before they are true guardians, but there are 4 other livestock guardians who work the farm, the entire farm, so they should be fine until they are grown and ready. Today they are posted where they can watch the goats and the rams, but they are not near enough to be frightened by them. Goats can be quiet protective of their young and forceful with their head butts and horns. In a few days the pups will be moved right inside the goat and sheep pen, but in their own space where the sheep cannot actually enter and the pups cannot go out. Mike and Joe are only almost 6 weeks old, but their mother was struck down by a car last night and died, so they needed new homes quickly. The veterinarian was consulted regarding their nutrition and since they are able to eat and drink on their own, they should do well even though they are very young. Welcome you handsome little dogs, you!
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