[Jacob-list] Predator Control Question

[Linda]

I bring new lambs into a very secure barn lot (heavily fenced) every 
night when I don't have a guardian animal or when I have to be gone 
during the day. I don't bring in adults. As others have said, the 
_biggest danger in most areas comes from domestic dogs_ - and they come 
and kill any time of the day. We're in a heavily forested area with a 
lot of national forest closeby. We see bears and foxes often, but have 
never had a problem. Coyotes are in our area and I saw one once on our 
property, but we don't hear them, so I think they tend to stay more in 
the forest. I think that there is enough game in the forest to keep them 
fed. We also have alot of coon hunters around here and I think that 
might tend to keep the coyotes off somewhere else. Found a den of foxes 
two weeks ago about 30 feet from the sheep fence.

I've had a llama, 6 donkeys, and one LGD since I've had sheep. I ended 
up with the only llama in world that would not give up chasing sheep. 
She was quite impressive with those front feet - if only she had been 
chasing a dog! In talking to llama rescue, I was told that some people 
use dogs to protect their llamas. The llama didn't work for me, but she 
was a delightful animal and llamas work well for others. Donkeys are my 
favorite because we both just enjoy donkeys and the standards are 
formidable guards. Our last guard donkeys were born in our flock and 
were great. We sold them when the drought was so bad 4 years ago and 
just got a new donkey in May. She's never been with sheep and I'm not 
yet certain if she is going to be a good guard. I 'inherited' a Great 
Pyrenees with our leased pasture, which is about 1/2 mile away. I 
wouldn't want a dog here at the house because I have a very protective 
Great Dane and the barking would drive me nuts. Sam was born in a 
pasture with goats and is not a people friendly dog. He has just 
recently allowed himself to be touched by a person.  He is a wonderful 
guardian. There was another LGD there that I didn't want. He was 3 years 
old and still 'playing' with his owner's goat kids to the point of 
drawing blood. Since I have sheep and an internet presence, I often have 
people contact me because they have a Pyrenees they bought as a house 
dog and wonder if I might want him/her.

The biggest thing to look for in a guardian animal, whatever species you 
decide on, is the background of the animal. There are wonderful 
donkey/llama/dog guardians and some not so great.

Congratulations on your new sheep!

Linda.



  .

On 6/21/2011 8:00 AM, Marjorie Schafer wrote:

> Hello,

>

> I am an about-to-be new Jacob owner, and I just wondered if most of 

> you leave your Jacobs out in the pasture at night regularly, or bring 

> them into the barnyard or barn at night? My neighbor with sheep has 

> never had a loss to predators, but he brings his sheep in every night.

>

> On a related note--how many of you use guard llamas with your Jacob 

> sheep? Have you been happy with them, or do you think a dog would be 

> preferable?

>

> Thanks for your thoughts,

>

> Margie

> in Illinois

>

>

> _______________________________________________

>


-- 
Patchwork Farm Jacob Sheep <http://www.patchworkfibers.com>