Livestock Guardian Options

Goats, sheep and in some cases calves often need protection not only from coyotes, cougars and other predators but, increasingly, from dogs allowed to wander loose that attack livestock.

A predator attack can be devestating. Losses are not just in the form of animals killed - often attacks can trigger stress abortions, leading to a lost year of production for some animals. Animals can be injured and traumatized by attacks. Loose dogs can be devestating in many areas - they pack together and dogs who normally are docile become killers. Some can be playing, chasing sheep or goats, and still do tremendous damage. Many areas allow shooting of dogs that kill or harass livestock. However, many don't want to kill someone's pet, or there may be neighbors, or concern of hitting the livestock in the shooting. Poison often doesn't kill the animal doing the killing and innocent animals pay instead. The alternative for many is a guardian animal.

The livestock guardian lives with and bonds with the flock. They learn to accept and protect the animal with territorial instincts work to the owner's advantage in keeping intruders out of the flock. In areas with cougar or other aggressive predators this can include calves, killed sometimes before they can get to their feet. A livestock guardian can watch over the herd as well as many flocks.

What kind of guardian do you choose? There are three most common - llama, dog and donkey. There's advantages and disadvantages to each. I've used all three and have some insight.