[Jacob-list] Predator Control Question

[Heather Hettick]

In answer to:  Marjorie Schafer <MHSchafer at oglecom.com>

We use a llama since we have had dogs chasing and hurting sheep in the past.
There are supposed to be coyotes in our area and we keep the lambs inside
when they are small - February into March, but once the grass is growing
they can stay outside if they like, and we have luckily not had coyotes
visit, although I've seen foxes, who don't seem to bother the sheep at all.
We keep our barn open so they can get in most of the time during good
weather and we keep a fan going to keep them cool.

Our current llama gelding is very people friendly, almost too friendly.  He
is only a so-so guard but his presence and curiosity is probably a
deterrent.  He doesn't hang with the sheep all the time and does what he
likes, but he's gentle with them and not a problem, so he stays.  He is lead
trained and easy to care for which is also a big plus.  Our former llama was
an excellent guard and stayed with the sheep and would physically round them
up and get between them and a dog and was a danger to all dogs, including
ours.  He chased away any kind of dogs, deer and geese from our pasture and
tried to chase out the groundhogs too - they drove him crazy. We lost him to
heat related pneumonia and that's part of why we keep a fan in our barn now.

I've heard dogs are better for more serious predators than we have, but are
also good at getting out of fences and like to have a larger area to patrol.
We have only 5 acres and are near a busy road and I'm afraid to have a dog
guardian that could wander off or get hit by a car.  They also cost more to
feed.

I've heard mixed results with donkeys.  I imagine that they are like llamas
- some are good and some are bad.

Heather Hettick
Moonstruck Farm
Creston, OH
www.moonstruckfarm.wordpress.com