| Since starting our little farm, I've always been concerned about threats to our goats. We've got stray dogs, foxes, and coyotes. All of which have been sighted on our property several times. So began my search and research for possible solutions. |
| Predator Control |
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Hastings, Michigan Call: (269) 945-6247 email: sleepyz@mei.net |
| Yamaha First we tried a llama. I liked that they ate the same things as a goat, could live right with the goats, and even had the same vaccinations. We found one for sale just down the road and gave him a try. Yamaha sure was fun to have around. But we soon discovered one major flaw. Even though he was fixed, he kept trying to breed the does. So he went to live with other llamas (to learn what a llama was!) He will be missed, and we'll tell stories about him for years. In further research I decided that a llama may not be the best choice. I knew that they could scare off a predator, but if a pack of coyotes ever decided to call his bluff he'd be just as vulnerable as the goats. |
| Tigger It was awhile before I thought about a guardian again. Then a coyote got a couple of our kids. We had horses in the pasture, both of which hated dogs. I learned that even if horses hate dogs, they have a real "sucks to be you" attitude if they aren't actually guarding the goats. We knew a friend that was trying to find a home for a donkey, so we gave it a try. Tigger was a very nice little donkey. He was gentle, easily caught, easy to lead, and hoof trimmings were a breeze. He would even allow children to sit on his back. The best thing about Tigger was he HATED dogs, but would he guard? We soon witnessed a situation in which a couple stray dogs wandered into our pasture. First Tigger whirled around to the goats and made an awful sound - they bolted to the barn! Then he whirled back on the dogs and all we could see were hooves and teeth. The dogs were fine, but immediately ran for their lives. From that moment on Tigger was cherished as an excellent guardian to our goats until we found his major flaw. Tigger thought kids were playthings. We found him throwing a little kid by the tail and thrashing her to the ground. Thankfully she was alright, her worst injury was a severely damaged tail. Tigger? He was on a trailer headed to a horse auction. Yes, I regret that now. He was a very, very nice donkey. But after seeing that horrible sight I couldn't get him out of here fast enough. |
| Tasha My final decision was to try a livestock guardian dog. I had been leery to do this; it just seemed so foreign to me. I've always had pet house dogs, the idea of having a dog live out in the barn with out any kind of bond to humans was difficult for me to grasp. But I searched and researched. A friend let me know of someone trying to find a home for her goats and their dog. I am very thankful to have found such a deal. This dog is already bonded to her goats and doing her job great. She is only a year old. I know one thing for certain; I'm sold on LGDs. Want to know why? After all the animals I've had on this pasture, after the llama, the donkey, the dog hating horses, the hot fences and little access to the goats, we still always heard a pack of coyotes yipping and howling every night. It sent chills up our spines. For six years those creepy creatures stayed just out of eyesight and kept us aware of the potential danger to our herd. Now? It's unreal. There isn't a sound. Not one yip, not one howl, not even distant. They've disappeared! I'm an LGD believer for life. |
