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| I live near coyotes; need advise | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: May 13 2007, 08:32 PM (496 Views) | |
| mpetrecz | May 13 2007, 08:32 PM Post #1 |
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Thomas H. Cruise!
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I know the babies are pretty safe with the mares, but I'm worried about weaning and them being pretty defenseless. I was looking for a pony baby sitter but are the other animals more protective? I do not have them outside during the dark and dusk right now and the fencing I have is No Climb with electric on top....fenced to the ground. I also have barking dogs that like to sleep at night,,,,,,,not much help. I really had visions of the horses out 24/7....but bring my over-protective self am not confortable enough to do it. I even have made a fortress of my barn. One of my neighbors said she had a pack chase one of her horses through the fence and out to the road,,,,,horse was killed by a car,2 winters ago. I read on the other thread about donkeys alpacias and llamas. I would love a donkey as a babysitter for the little ones, but would it work? Will the donkey fit into my herd and not get hurt and be protective? I don't believe in sacrificial animals of any sort. I've seen my grown horses....all my life...take grave offense to most animals coming into their fields and can't imagine any coyote thinking he'd get an easy meal.....but this is the first time I've had babies...and one very little pony baby. the fencing is solid and formatiable. Are my fears founded? Would a little donkey work and not get hurt? Any other tips are greatly apprieciated. I keep telling myself, how much can it hurt for these babies to have the schedual of out all day and in all night. I have to say they are both very easy to handle because of this......but I just want them to have the carefree life of a baby before they go on with careers and scheduals. The field is so much sweeter and roomier than any stall. Mary |
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| seal harbor | May 13 2007, 08:51 PM Post #2 |
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Administrator
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Llama. They take good care of their charges. They will attack predators. |
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| Magic | May 13 2007, 09:36 PM Post #3 |
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Thomas H. Cruise!
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Ditto the llama idea. I hear they are excellent caretakers and will guard the babies. |
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| headlesshorseman | May 14 2007, 05:40 AM Post #4 |
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You're BANNED!
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Hey mpetrecz..depending on your location..the BLM has apotion sites that have the donkeys..They are cheap and will do the job..I don't know if they are as good as llamas..but they will be LOTS cheaper..here is a link to one http://www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov/index.php There are a few sites out there.. I went to one of these auctions..and if burros are offered..go early..they are the first ones to go. When I asked them why the horses weren't being adopted..a rancher said that they want the donkeys to run off the coyotes..Good luck.. |
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| mpetrecz | May 14 2007, 06:42 AM Post #5 |
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Thomas H. Cruise!
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My friend has Llamas and Buffalo.....buffalo are very dangerous, her llamas are sweet. I live in central Pa....but thanks for the link headlesshorseman. I will talk to my friend about the llamas but want to make sure I get the right "protecter" for the babies. Everything I'm reading is saying older..over 2...gelding, either llama or donkey. Thanks for the input everyone. Mary |
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| La Gringa | May 14 2007, 10:01 AM Post #6 |
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Starving Artist
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You could always get a dog like a Great Pyranees.. They will guard as well, and they can just live outside all the time even in winter. http://dogbreedinfo.com/greatpyrenees.htm |
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| OTF | May 15 2007, 03:40 AM Post #7 |
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You're BANNED!
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I have some websites bookmarked about using donkeys as guardians...I'll post them when I get home from work today. I don't know anything about using llamas. |
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| OTF | May 15 2007, 01:20 PM Post #8 |
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You're BANNED!
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Okay, here is some information I've bookmarked on using donkeys as livestock guardians: Donkeys as Sheep Guardians http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livest...cts/donkey2.htm Protecting Livestock with Guard Donkeys http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$departme...f/all/agdex9396 The Donkey Guardian http://www.usipp.com/gatefarm/the_donkey_guardian.htm I googled "Llamas as Livestock Guardians" and there appears to be quite a bit of information available. Any chance of using an older mare or gelding as a babysitter? It might be easier on you than bringing a new animal onto your farm. Whatever you decide to get, it WILL need some care of its own (vaccinations, deworming, hoof trims, etc.) so a wild "anything" might end up being more trouble than it's worth. Keep in mind that donkeys get fat easily, so often have to be restricted on lush pasture. Mini donks, no matter what you hear to the contrary, are just too small to protect themselves much less anything else, and don't get a jack (intact male donkey). If you go with a donkey, I think most recommend a "standard" size jennet (female). I can probably find the tel. no. of someone I know who raises guard donkeys in the Luray area of VA if you want. I can't offer any advice on llamas, but I know they, too, require some routine care. Hope this helps! |
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| Yaksmom | May 15 2007, 03:06 PM Post #9 |
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Thomas H. Cruise!
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I have coyotes as well - my babies sleep in the barn at night as the field they go out in is one of the most exterior lines of fence and I have seen coyotes run down that fenceline. Post weaning, they live in a pasture (which is 3 pastures in from the most exterior line of fence) off the back of my indoor arena - the coyotes won't come that close. If I felt the need, I would get a minidonk, but they are noisey. |
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| OTF | May 15 2007, 04:06 PM Post #10 |
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You're BANNED!
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I know there are coyotes around (people tell me they're around) but I've not ever seen or heard them. I think a bigger threat to any young animal(s) would be "the neighbors' dogs" who run loose together and kill for fun. A miniature donkey is simply not big enough to protect itself from that kind of attack, never mind protecting anything else. You need something MUCH taller than a 36" donkey for a guard animal. |
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| Yaksmom | May 15 2007, 06:05 PM Post #11 |
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Thomas H. Cruise!
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Sorry OTF - didn't mean to offend, but I have seen a minidonk in action against a coyote - no contest. Coyotes in the northeastern states aren't that large- the biggest male I have seen was smaller than my 8mo old Golden Retreiver ~ 55lbs. |
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| avery | May 15 2007, 09:57 PM Post #12 |
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We're on a bridge, Chaaaaaaaaarlie!
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i've never heard a horse getting attacked by a coyote. i've heard of cougars and pitbulls/dogs attacking horses and (once) a bear that attacked a mini. i've heard of coyotes small pet, lambs or baby goats. still, i've never heard of a coyote (and there are plenty of them) attacking a horse, a cow, or a healthy deer or anything of that size. the thing about coyotes (compared to big cats) is that they are very lazy. they'd rather eat dead things and if there's none around, they'll hunt small things. as anyone on this board ever had a horse come in from the field with a coyote bite? |
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| OTF | May 16 2007, 04:12 PM Post #13 |
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You're BANNED!
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No problem, Yaksmom...I realize there are some minis that can and do go after canines (mine go after chickens and guineas and occasionally escort the cat out of the field). :lol: Yup, donkeys can be noisy, but that’s part of the job description. Braying is a wonderful thing to us long-ear fans! I have a 33" jack (yes, my dear Muddy) who cannot be pastured with our cattle. He has run full-grown cows through the electric fence. The two other jacks get along fine with the cattle. Rambo, 35” jack, was terrified when a Labrador charged under the fence after him (we should have named him Wussmo) but thankfully, two heifers wandered over with their horns lowered and the Lab learned how to exit the field the hard way. And 32” Merlin will butt his way into any cow or bull’s feed bucket but shares hay with them quite nicely. I've read on other (equine and cattle) boards of disastrous results when people pastured a donkey with their livestock (without regard to gender, age, or size of the donkey) and ended up having the donkey (inevitably a jack) injure/kill the very animals it was put there to protect. And then ALL donkeys get a bad rap, which is a shame , and all because someone didn’t “do their homework” (this is not directed at anyone on THIS board, this was a “cattle thing.”)I encourage anyone considering a guardian animal (especially for foals as lovely and valuable as those posted on this board) to read whatever you can on the topic |
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| mpetrecz | May 16 2007, 04:50 PM Post #14 |
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Thomas H. Cruise!
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I've been reading everything I can about this.......it's why I posted. I will not be doing anything rash and am in no hurry. It'll be another 5-6 months before I have to do anything.....the mommy's are very protective and I'm sure nothing around here could survive their anger. I've seen their posturing.
My babies come in at night.....but I'd love to have them out for the night, just haven't done it yet....my youngsest filly is a week old......not even close to ready for a night out, me that is!!!! I'd be up all night watchign them....I love donkeys and all the animals at my farm are very well cared for. I have shelties and know I couldnt' have a dog live outside.......even my cats come in and out of the house....I just don't let them bring me their treasures. I originally was looking for an older babysitter....equine....pony....but we'll see. I am glad everyone posted and if I decide on a donkey, will be very careful.....I also have grand daughters that are here all the time.....4-3-2 yr olds....teeny tiny girls....everyones well being has to be considered. I do agree with what you said Avery, but I had a neighbor swear her mature horses were chased out of their pasture by coyotes. I also had a friend about 15 miles away watch a pack (4 that she saw) outside her window stalking a deer. I will run extra electric on the outside of my fence for now......then see how I feel. thanks again,.....if I decide on a donkey, I'd love to talk to you more about it OTF, if you wouldn't mind...... Mary |
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| OTF | May 16 2007, 07:13 PM Post #15 |
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You're BANNED!
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mpetrecz, I'd be happy to try and help you in any way I can. |
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, and all because someone didn’t “do their homework” (this is not directed at anyone on THIS board, this was a “cattle thing.”)
My babies come in at night.....but I'd love to have them out for the night, just haven't done it yet....my youngsest filly is a week old......not even close to ready for a night out, me that is!!!! I'd be up all night watchign them....
5:59 PM Jul 10