The Pyrenean Mountain Dog, also known as the Great Pyrenees in the United States, when full grown is a large animal with a muscular body. Like many bred for their primary purpose, the Great Pyrenees is a double coated dog. This means they have a straight or slightly wavy coat of coarse white hair, with a softer and thicker undercoat of hair (also mostly white). Their double coat allows the Great Pyrenees to live outdoors all year round, even in harsh climates.
Regardless of the name one chooses to call these beautiful animals by, Great Pyrenees are gentle giants. They are very gentle by nature and usually appear aloof. Only when something threatens those they consider their family does the Pyrenees fight.
The Great Pyrenees is an extremely old flock guardian breed dating back over 3,000 years as a livestock guardian. Prenees have been known to keep predators as large ass bears at bay while their shephed moves the flock out of harms way. Smaller predators have very limited options when confronted by the might of an adult Pyr.
Against predators such as coyotes, foxes and even wolves the Pyrenean Mountain Dog can overpower multiple opponents and hold even larger numbers at bay. With larger predators such as the mountain lion, they have been known to hold their own one-on-one.
Pyrenees are known to work in groups, and work very well in pairs. It is common for one Pyrenees to stay with their herd while another patrols the surroundings looking for signs of trouble. However, this also lends to the Great Pyrenees tendency to roam across whatever area they perceive as their territory. As such any potential owner of a Great Pyrenees should make certain their property is well secured before introducing a Pyr.
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About the Author
Scott Burton raises several breeds of sheep and uses Great Pyrenees and Great Pyrenees crosses to protect his sheep. His Livestock Guard Dogs and any available puppies can be seen at http://www.oklahomawildfirefarm.com
(This article is available for re-use with permission from the author Scott Burton
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livestock care, animal health, farming, organic farming, animal disease
Friday, June 13, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Preparing for Summer
Spring is fast approaching, and a few bits of green are starting to poke their heads through the ground. As a result it's time to make sure we are prepared for the coming summer.
For several years in Central Oklahoma we've had conditions either far too dry, or more recently far too wet. As a result, pastures have been suffering and hay has been harder to come by.
In preparation for the summer, it is important, if you haven't already, get your seeds ready to go into the ground. We are simply planting with the intention of reducing feed costs for our livestock this summer, with plans to overseed some winter crops in the fall.
Unfortunately with the wet and warmer weather, parasites are coming back out in force. We've already seen ticks, and with our limited supply of guinneas, it's doubtful they will be able to keep up with these. The more substantial danger comes in the form of worms.
In Central Oklahoma, we've seen failings of SafeGuard (fenbendazole) paste in sheep, as well as signs that Ivermectin based dewormers are beginning to fail as the parasites develop resistance to them.
It is strongly recommended by many livestock owners, including us, that wormers be rotated by using un-related wormers for each worming cycle, whether as part of a schedule or in response to parasite outbreaks.
Keeping the livestock on the same pasture for a week or more after worming will limit the likelihood of resistant worms being deposited in the new pasture.
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livestock care, animal health, farming, organic farming, animal disease
For several years in Central Oklahoma we've had conditions either far too dry, or more recently far too wet. As a result, pastures have been suffering and hay has been harder to come by.
In preparation for the summer, it is important, if you haven't already, get your seeds ready to go into the ground. We are simply planting with the intention of reducing feed costs for our livestock this summer, with plans to overseed some winter crops in the fall.
Unfortunately with the wet and warmer weather, parasites are coming back out in force. We've already seen ticks, and with our limited supply of guinneas, it's doubtful they will be able to keep up with these. The more substantial danger comes in the form of worms.
In Central Oklahoma, we've seen failings of SafeGuard (fenbendazole) paste in sheep, as well as signs that Ivermectin based dewormers are beginning to fail as the parasites develop resistance to them.
It is strongly recommended by many livestock owners, including us, that wormers be rotated by using un-related wormers for each worming cycle, whether as part of a schedule or in response to parasite outbreaks.
Keeping the livestock on the same pasture for a week or more after worming will limit the likelihood of resistant worms being deposited in the new pasture.
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livestock care, animal health, farming, organic farming, animal disease
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Protecting Livestock for the Winter
Some people seem to be confused about what it takes to protect one's livestock from the harsh realities of winter.
Most livestock, sheep included are hardy enough to handle exposure to the winter overall. There should always be at least a windbreak sufficient for the entire flock to escape from the biting cold. Preferably, the windbreak should also have a roof overhead to keep rain, sleet and even snow off of the bedding area.
During the freezing weather, it is essential that animals have access to water. Specifically unfrozen water.
While as humans we can say 'well just melt the ice and there's your water' unfortunately, this isn't an option for sheep, horses and cattle. They can not reliably melt enough ice to sustain themselves through harsh freezes, not matter how much ice is available.
At our place, this means that our tank-heaters have to be in place and on whenever the freezes are expected. If a heater isn't available, the more challenging task of marching out every 2-4 hours into the freeze ourselves to break open the ice and pour in scalding hot water is necessary. When it's cold enough to require us to use hot water, it's down to lukewarm in minutes if not immediately colder.
Keep an eye on your animals. They'll let you know when there's a problem. But only if you pay close attention.
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livestock care, animal health, farming, organic farming, animal disease
Most livestock, sheep included are hardy enough to handle exposure to the winter overall. There should always be at least a windbreak sufficient for the entire flock to escape from the biting cold. Preferably, the windbreak should also have a roof overhead to keep rain, sleet and even snow off of the bedding area.
During the freezing weather, it is essential that animals have access to water. Specifically unfrozen water.
While as humans we can say 'well just melt the ice and there's your water' unfortunately, this isn't an option for sheep, horses and cattle. They can not reliably melt enough ice to sustain themselves through harsh freezes, not matter how much ice is available.
At our place, this means that our tank-heaters have to be in place and on whenever the freezes are expected. If a heater isn't available, the more challenging task of marching out every 2-4 hours into the freeze ourselves to break open the ice and pour in scalding hot water is necessary. When it's cold enough to require us to use hot water, it's down to lukewarm in minutes if not immediately colder.
Keep an eye on your animals. They'll let you know when there's a problem. But only if you pay close attention.
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livestock care, animal health, farming, organic farming, animal disease
Friday, August 24, 2007
Coccidiosis (aka Coccidia infestation or coccidia infection)
Coccidia are tiny internal parasites that live in the cells of an animal's intestines. They commonly occur almost anywhere that animals have been present for any length of time. In most cases, carriers of Coccidia show no clinical signs of illness.
Outbreaks of coccidiosis frequently occur after times of significant stress such as weaning and shipping; as well as sudden climate changes such as a strong cold snap, sudden high temperatures. Microscopic oocysts carry the infective form of coccidia, which are ingested while grazing. The organisms then infest the intestines. As long as the coccidia numbers are low, most animals essentially ignore these parasites.
Coccidia do not respond to deworming medicines, and a number of medicines exist to control their proliferation in livestock. Although these medicines are primarily a preventative rather than a treatment for infection. Amprolium drugs such as Corid are often used to help keep the level of coccidia presence down over long terms; generally Sulfa Drugs (dimidine, guanidine, methazine, quinoxaline) are used to respond to coccidiosis outbreaks, with a treatment over 3-5 days.
Sulfa drugs are generally available only through a veterinarian, but are one of the few means available to significantly impact coccidiosis. It is worth noting that by the time clinical signs are visible, damage has already been done, and any other animals sharing the same pasture, pen, etc. have likely been exposed to higher concentrations of coccidia.
Several non-clinical methods can be used to help limit exposure to parasites such as Coccidia, these include using a feeding trough that is elevated when providing grains and/or hay, as this surface is less suceptible to exposure to coccidia and many other parasites, since the livestock feces will generally not be in contact with this surface, limiting the contamination of this surface.
Clinical signs of Coccidiosis include:
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livestock care, animal health, farming, organic farming, animal disease
Outbreaks of coccidiosis frequently occur after times of significant stress such as weaning and shipping; as well as sudden climate changes such as a strong cold snap, sudden high temperatures. Microscopic oocysts carry the infective form of coccidia, which are ingested while grazing. The organisms then infest the intestines. As long as the coccidia numbers are low, most animals essentially ignore these parasites.
Coccidia do not respond to deworming medicines, and a number of medicines exist to control their proliferation in livestock. Although these medicines are primarily a preventative rather than a treatment for infection. Amprolium drugs such as Corid are often used to help keep the level of coccidia presence down over long terms; generally Sulfa Drugs (dimidine, guanidine, methazine, quinoxaline) are used to respond to coccidiosis outbreaks, with a treatment over 3-5 days.
Sulfa drugs are generally available only through a veterinarian, but are one of the few means available to significantly impact coccidiosis. It is worth noting that by the time clinical signs are visible, damage has already been done, and any other animals sharing the same pasture, pen, etc. have likely been exposed to higher concentrations of coccidia.
Several non-clinical methods can be used to help limit exposure to parasites such as Coccidia, these include using a feeding trough that is elevated when providing grains and/or hay, as this surface is less suceptible to exposure to coccidia and many other parasites, since the livestock feces will generally not be in contact with this surface, limiting the contamination of this surface.
Clinical signs of Coccidiosis include:
- Weight loss
- failure to gain weight with adequate feed
- diarrhea with or without blood
- dehydration (largely due to diarrhea)
- death
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livestock care, animal health, farming, organic farming, animal disease
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Welcome to Wildfire Farm
We are a small farm in central Okahoma raising Painted Desert Sheep, Wiltshire Horn Sheep, Great Pyrenees and Anatolian Livestock Guard Dogs and a small assortment of chickens.
This year, we have added Catawba and Thompson Seedless grape vines, and we hope to add several more grape vines next year.
This year, we have added Catawba and Thompson Seedless grape vines, and we hope to add several more grape vines next year.
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