We are one of the last AG
zoned livestock farms
in
Our farm also is NOT a "Petting Zoo", "Petting
Farm" or the like.
Bear Dog
Farm Inc. SC
Heritage Breed Livestock
Home Grown and Naturally Raised
Black Angus & White Faced Hereford Tennessee
Owned and Operated by:
Lee & Cindy Piekarz
847-502-6392
email: info@beardogfarm.com
Bear Dog
Farm is zoned as AG and our premises and animals are Registered,
Licensed, Certified and/or Permitted by the U.S.D.A., Illinois
Dept. of Agriculture, Illinois Dept.
of Natural Resources and/or Lake County, Illinois, as well as the American
Livestock Breeds Conservancy. We have inspections regularly by the county, for
those who have wondered.
For all the times we have been asked...what
is a Bear Dog? Our answer is a multiple one, first they are our own mix
of Great Pyrenees for their guardian skills and Rottweiler (just a quarter or
so) for training skills. Their size is that of a bear and a Great Pyrenees
skull is exactly the same size as the North American Brown Bear. And just like
bears they have the ability to use their feet like hands, enabling them to
climb trees and open doors. But probably the most significant reason is their
fierce protective nature to the things they are watching over. Which is why
most people avoid mother bears. Our Bear Dogs are ever dutiful to their
herds as they are to the family that love them and live with them. We DO
NOT sell them or breed them.
This farm is really not about the Bear Dogs.
Rather, we are more along the Bovine, which consists of Walter, the White Faced Hereford Bull and his Black Angus Heifer beauties and Caprine being our Myotonic Tennessee Fainting Goats (THE ORIGINAL SCAPEGOAT). *Available Bucks and Does* Contact 847-502-6392
Our method of raising healthy animals is
based upon the In fact, WE feed all of our animals better than most. Walter as an example, was originally thought to be a Mini, he passed that long ago, and continues to grow. We can safely estimate him at 2000lbs. He is so big that he actually used our 4WD Dodge Durango as a toy and lifting only with his head, tore the bumper off while attempting to extract Daddy from the vehicle.
We have sponsors at Flatlander’s Restaurant and Brewery in Lincolnshire, Mickey Finn’s Brewery in Libertyville and Emmett's Ale House in Palatine, and Emmett's Tavern & Brewing Company in West Dundee that work with us to insure the animals are given only the freshest grains used to brew beer – Barley, Wheat, Oats, Rice, Hops and even Chamomile. Our Brew Meisters perform their craft well and use the grain in the first process of their ”liquid gold” beer where they boil and drain the grain. The liquid drained is then magically mixed and beer created, then consumed with the same smile on their customers faces as the animals that eat the grain! The spent grain travels to the farm and fed right out of the barrels. Usually 275 to 350lbs of wet grain per barrel. And we NEVER FEED CORN - as we feel it to be a cheap filler and causes health problems for existing members of the herd.
Greens, greens and more greens…
are sponsored by Joe Caputo & Sons in Palatine
Then there is grass and hay which is free
fed, so there is simply no excuse for not eating by any of these animals. This
feeding regimen is unique to our farm. We've been told by some it's "not
necessary to give that kind of attention to feed" and told by others that
it is "genius to know exactly what your feeding".
LOADS OF FRESH WATER…a few have
been known to take a dip when it is warm out, always interesting to see someone
wading in a trough.
We do not use any Steroids, Chemicals
or Drugs on any of the animals, only wormers for stable rumen health. Only the
dogs are “vaccinated”. Which is not as simple as you might think, we've encountered a few obstacles recently. Our livestock Vet, Dr. Walt Dalitsch has been injured in the line of duty. Our thoughts and well wishes are with him in his recovery. In his absence we are pleased to be working with Dr Brian Gerloff, Dr William Morrissey and Maureen Hall. (How many of you have ever thought about finding a Vet that knows cows and goats? I know quite a few that see horses and cats and dogs, but livestock are different) Another obstacle encountered by taking the dogs to a local Vet, in that only one dog at a time could fit into the exam room, and the biggest reason, Bear Dogs get motion sickness! We were fortunate to find a wonderful and compassionate Vet that was not intimidated by their size and he makes- House Calls! In-Home Veterinary Services of Dr Brian Courtney
Ask yourself….Do you know what your food ate?
Chances are you will never even know what state or country it lived in, let
alone the conditions or feed it was given. A typical example is what we saw at
a local store selling ground beef in a tube-type package. It read:
"Product of United States Canada Mexico Australia New Zealand Uruguay
We personally know of farmers using
questionable feeds…snack-food rejects & granola bars are only a few of
the examples. Lawn clippings provided by landscapers is known also. A little
Chem-Lawn with that filet anyone?
We sleep well at night knowing we have done well for all that live here, it really does make a difference!
WE HAVE HEALTHY ESTABLISHED HERDS...
PLEASE REFRAIN FROM
LEAVING ANIMALS TIED TO OR AT OUR GATES!!!!!!!!
THE PROPERTY IS PROTECTED BY ELECTRIC
FENCING AND IS SURVEILLANCE CAMERA EQUIPPED, WE WORK CLOSELY WITH OUR BEAR DOGS
AND THE
847-502-6392 or email: info@beardogfarm.com
OUR WASTE HAULERS
