How do donkeys protect livestock

The donkey can still be taught to protect the sheep by housing them next to each other for 1—2 weeks. Usually after this adaptation period, the donkey can safely be turned out with the sheep, although they should be watched carefully for signs of potential conflict. To effectively protect the flock from predators, the donkey and sheep must be compatible. Conflict-free compatibility should not be assumed.

There is wide variation in how individual donkeys interact with sheep. Not all donkeys make good livestock guard animals, as there are significant behaviourial differences between individuals. Some donkeys can be overly aggressive with the sheep. This aggressiveness can range from chasing sheep, nipping at ears or wool, preventing access to feed or water, to the extreme of hurting or even killing lambs or sheep.

Be careful to initially limit and supervise the interaction between the donkey and dog. Most herding dogs will eventually adapt and learn to work around the donkey rather than try to control it like one of the sheep. Neighbours with dogs should also be notified of the presence of a guard donkey and the potential conflict between donkeys and wandering dogs. While naturally aggressive with canines, most donkeys are docile and gentle with humans. Miniature — under 91 cm 36 in.

Small standard — 91— cm 36—48 in. Large standard — — cm 48—54 in. Large — over cm 54 in. Most miniatures are likely too small to effectively fend off predators. The small and large standards seem to provide the best combination of predator control and ease of handling. Alberta recommends guard donkeys should be at least 2 years old and at least cm 44 in.

Key points to look for when purchasing a donkey are good conformation, straight legs and a good attitude. Producers using donkeys as livestock guard animals tend to have smaller flocks. Donkeys appear best suited for farm flocks of less than ewes. Ideally, a donkey may be able to guard up to ewes if the terrain is flat and barren, and the sheep are grazing in one pasture. However, many Ontario flocks are raised or pastured on rough and rolling land, scattered with bushes that provide ideal cover for coyotes.

Under such conditions, the donkey will likely have obstructed sightlines and thus be less likely to oversee the entire flock. The use of guard donkeys may have limitations for larger flocks and rolling and bush-laden pastures, unless one donkey is used for each group or pasture.

It should be stressed that, if using donkeys in adjacent pastures, the pastures should be adequately separated to ensure the donkeys stay with their respective sheep and not with each other. A jenny and foal probably provide the best protection, however jennies also work very well on their own. Is she doomed? Are we?

NO halters…would halters help…am starting the socialization with goats hyper of course what should I expect and how can I improve the next few weeks? They protect cattle from predators such as coyotes. Check it out here. If nothing else, they are pretty […]. Guinea hens create quite a racket when any creature comes in your yard. Donkeys are naturally aggressive towards canines, and may offer protection for your homestead against […].

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Animals , Plants. By Tyler LeBlanc on June 3, Tyler LeBlanc. Donkeys make acceptable guardians of sheep, goats and calves. Often the sheep or goats come to see the larger donkey as protective and will gather near it if they perceive a threat.

Donkeys can protect against a single fox, coyote, roaming dog and possibly a bobcat. Donkeys who do attack a predator will be very aggressive, using their teeth and hooves. They may bray loudly. They will charge the threat and attempt to chase it away. If they confront the predator, they will attempt to bite at the neck, back, chest or buttocks. They may slash out with their hooves or turn and kick the predator.

Experienced owners strongly suggest you do not attempt to stop a donkey that is charging or attacking and that afterwards, you allow the donkey to calm down before approaching it.

Unlike a livestock guard dog, donkey will have similar maintenance and feeding requirements with its pasture mates, although they may need a taller shelter. Donkeys are natives of desert areas and lack the protective undercoat of horses. They definitely need shelter from rain and snow.

Do not give donkeys access to Rumensin, urea or other feeds and supplements only intended for ruminants. Donkeys also need trace mineral salt, not the white salt eaten by sheep or goat.

Donkeys will also drink more water than sheep or goats. Donkeys respect the same fencing as sheep, goats, or calves, although donkeys will chew on wooden fences or posts. Donkeys are extremely long-lived, with a life span of thirty years or more.

They are also relatively inexpensive, although experienced guard donkeys will cost more. Donkeys generally have a calm temperament and pose little threat to neighbors or farm visitors. If you are comfortable with horses and horse care, a donkey is not very different to feed, care for, and handle.

However, if you are not familiar with equines, you should enlist the help of an experienced person to help you select your donkey and teach you to care for it. Do not purchase an unmanageable donkey. Predators can be a big problem for farmers. Coyote, wild dogs, fox, coons and birds of prey top the list of predators that plague farmers in our region. Livestock guardians keep vulnerable stock safe.

Dogs, donkeys and llamas are proven protectors. Great Pyrenees , Anatolian Shepherds , Akbash and Maremma are breeds reputed to be superior livestock guardians, but many farmers and ranchers argue a well-trained mutt is just as effective. A good livestock protection dog is intelligent, hardy to all weather conditions, loves work and has a manageable prey drive so that it does not turn on the livestock it is supposed to be protecting.

Dogs protect livestock by aggressively pursuing predators, chasing-off or taking-out. A single dog may be enough to protect a small herd, but multiple dogs work together to watch over a large herd.

Dogs should be raised with livestock so that they will bond with the stock, not human handlers. Pups are placed with animals at weeks of age. They are trained to stay near stock and keep a watchful eye. A dog reaches full protection potential at months of age. Dogs are the most expensive livestock protection animals to purchase and keep. The price of a registered livestock protection breed can cost hundreds to thousands dollars depending on breed and bloodlines.

Food and regular vet care are on-going costs of dog ownership. Big benefit. Unlike donkeys and llamas, dogs can provide protection on the open range- no fence required. Despite their nickname and reputation of stubbornness, donkeys are smart and effective livestock guardians. They have great eyesight and hearing to detect predators. Last year a fellow goat farmer boasted his guard donkey for fighting off a pack of wild dogs and saving his herd.

A single donkey can protect up to head. A castrated male or female donkey is recommended. Donkeys require no special training, but takes weeks of interaction to bond a donkey with a flock or herd. Caution must be taken during birthing season when a donkey might accidently step on and crush baby sheep or goats. Donkeys are low-maintenance animals. They require regular hoof trimming, worming, and vaccinations.