[Jacob-list] predator question

[Neal Grose]

Here in the East, it is more typical to see nothing but a rumen left. it is not unusual for a coyote to take a lamb out of a flock and not disturb the rest of the flock.
We are seeing an increase in pack mentality among coyotes. where they used to work singularly or in pairs and only take animals small enough to carry, they are now sometimes work in groups large enough to attack adult deer. I wonder if this is due to inclusion of dog in their genetics from when they first started moving into the area. I know that we originally saw coy-dogs which were very aggressive (and got shot for their trouble).

Neal Grose

From: Jennifer Tucker 
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2012 12:03 AM
To: Karen Askounis ; Jacoblist 
Subject: Re: [Jacob-list] predator question

If you we're here in Colorado, I would be looking for a burying spot and suspect a mountain lion.  They typically drag off their kills whole and come back at another time. They often prey on domestic animals to teach their young to hunt

Jennifer Tucker
Moose Mtn Ranch 

Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 27, 2012, at 9:40 PM, "Karen Askounis" <kaskounis at threefatesjacobs.com> wrote:


  For those of you who have lost sheep to coyotes is it common to have almost nothing remaining after the attack? I have lost two ram lambs (one at a time) – the first one simply was gone without a trace! No blood, no wool, no wool or hair over or under fences – nothing. The second one – as is usually the case – my most favorite sheep of all time L – found one piece of hide, some bits of wool, his tail, no blood anywhere in pasture, again no wool or hair on any exterior fences. These were ram lambs about 6 months old. They were in with a donkey. Not sure if I should be mad at the donkey or happy he kept losses to one lamb each time. This pasture had a hot wire across the top but no lower predator hot wire (until last weekend, after the fact of course). There were a few spots where the ground had washed away a bit under the fence leaving some space under the fence where I figure they got in. Does this sound like a pack of coyotes or should I be looking for something else? We are in north eastern Illinois. Not sure what other predators to be thinking of.

   

  On a slightly different subject – does anyone think sheep with un-docked tails are easier for predators to catch??

   

  Karen Askounis

  Three Fates Farm

  Crete, IL

  kaskounis at threefatesjacobs.com

   

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