Jen Simons

LGDs are meant to be left in with the livestock and have 1000's of years of breeding to establish the protective instinct. As long as the pups are properly bred and raised with the livestock (or even just properly introduced as an adult) they live and care for their flock 24/7.

Herding dogs were bred for 100s of years to herd, which is a variation on using a hunting instinct. Very few herding dogs can be trusted to live in a flock, unsupervised, 24/7.

I own Kuvasz. When I moved to my current property and visited the neighbour's ponies she warned me they are dog killers. There were lots of farm collies and GSDs that tended to "visit" uninvited. The chased the horses for fun, bit and injured them. But the horses immediately loved my Kuvasz. They have a much calmer energy, and mover very quietly around stock so as not to agitate them.

The two types of dogs work very differently and have very different temperaments.

I was hoping to do a few small projects around home to get practise with strawbale construction, before (hopefully, if I can get building permits) tackling a strawbale/ earth sheltered hybrid home in a few years.

I was thinking of doing a chicken coop. Just for a dozen or so chickens. And a combination hot tub/ greenhouse building. Both using passive solar heat principles, with supplemental electric heat, in case.

I have a few questions!!!

Anyone have experience with strawbale in extreme cold? (We are -30*C in winter and +30*C in summer)
How does it handle high humidity (especially for the greenhouse/hottub building?
Do the walls hold up to lots of rain, but mostly snow piled up to it?

I was hoping to do a few small projects around home to get practise with strawbale construction, before (hopefully, if I can get building permits) tackling a strawbale/ earth sheltered hybrid home in a few years.

I was tinking of doing a chicken coop. Just for a dozen or so chickens. And a combination hot tub/ greenhouse building. Both using passive solar heat principles, with supplemental electric heat, in case.

I have a few questions!!!

Anyone have experience with strawbale in extreme cold? (We are -30*C in winter and +30*C in summer)
How does it handle high humidity (especially for the greenhouse/hottub building?
Do the walls hold up to lots of rain, but mostly snow piled up to it?