[Jacob-list] predator question

[Richard and Susan]

Here in southeastern Pennsylvania an occasional coyote attack on sheep will
occur.  A few yrs. ago a farmer lost several adult ewes to a group of
coyotes at a location not far from us - and we have heard coyotes calling at
night but have never lost any sheep.  Interestingly, here throughout the
state there are many reported sightings of mountain lions but the
Pennsylvania Game Commission is adamant that they don't exist.  We have
never seen one or had a problem - however, a farmer only a few miles from us
occasionally sees a mountain lion drinking from his pond.  Upstate the
mountain folks who know the woods like the "backs of their hands" are
equally adamant that they repeatedly see mountain lions - which really are
not easy to confuse with other wild feline types in our State - our bobcats
are quite a bit smaller with no tail, etc.  All that to say that any
shepherd or farmer who complains to our state's Game Commission of a
mountain lion killing will not receive a lot of support - since they don't
exist!

 

A few years ago we had an adult ewe killed by a neighbor's Siberian Husky -
the dog was not aggressive to humans but sheep brought out his primal
instincts - and in that situation the dog was interested only in the chase
and the kill - he did not tear open the carcass or eat anything whatsoever.
He also wounded a ewe lamb so severely she had to be euthanized.  Our local
police advised us that our State laws permit us to shoot on sight any animal
that is killing out livestock.  This particular dog was a family pet, very
sweet to humans and a nice dog - but the State Dog Catcher required that
they relinquish ownership and the husky was put into a husky rescue - and
hopefully he ended up living somewhere far from sheep!!

 

Sue Martin

Stonecroft

 

 

 

 

From: jacob-list-bounces at jacobsheep.com
[mailto:jacob-list-bounces at jacobsheep.com] On Behalf Of Karen Askounis
Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2012 11:41 PM
To: jacob-list at jacobsheep.com
Subject: [Jacob-list] predator question

 

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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