Guarding Against Human Predators. However, a llama will provide ample protection from strangers as well. Alpacas do fine in the cold of winter as they have built-in warm coats, but extra care must be taken in the summer to guard them against heat-stress. Shelter from the sun is an absolute requirement year around, but especially in the heat of summer. Do you see small mammals, packs of coyotes, wandering bears, wolves or cougars?

Other common LGD breeds include the Maremma, Kangal and Akbash. Many goat owners keep livestock guardian dogs, donkeys, llamas, or alpacas with goats as full-time guard animals. That being said, they're certainly not regarded as a herd protector, like a llama.

When Doug and I started Forest Glen Alpacas in 2003, we knew we needed some type of livestock guard animal for our alpacas. A well bred LGD that is brought up correctly is worth his weight in gold. Donkeys can protect against a single fox, coyote, roaming dog and possibly a bobcat.

They do seem to act as a group to chase our 100 pound dog out of the corral.

Like most guardian animals, it is best to raise donkeys with the … Guardian animals can add a substantial cost in terms of training and upkeep, but they may be well worth the effort and time if they work out. I have an LGD, a Leonberger, to protect the chickens & the alpacas; but I think our alpacas could take care of themselves against our biggest predators, coyotes. -Advertisement- Donkeys who do attack a predator will be very aggressive, using their teeth and hooves. Llamas will fight one canine but are ineffective against a pack. How Grass Farming Promotes Your Own Health.

One of the guys I work with bought a farm and the llamas came with it, he was told they were there to guard against coyotes so he took their word for it. We often think about the natural predators animals have and then protect against coyotes and other wildlife. Now that we are here in Pennsylvania, that was one of the best decisions we ever made. Do You Need Guard Animals for Your Alpacas?

Try to get a guardian animal from a breeder who has […] Well he lost stock really badly as he moved them in and thought it was just their stress, that they would come around and bond. Organic egg producer Gerald Osbourne says alpacas have proven to be a highly effective way of protecting his hens against foxes. If coyotes or domestic dogs are the issue, donkeys, llamas, or a couple of dogs may be good enough to protect your livestock, but if wolves or larger predators are an issue, guardians … A wind block will do, and a run-in type of shed that lets them get out of heavy rain or blowing winds is even better. These llamas can be used to guard sheep, goats, alpacas, mini-horses and mini-donkeys, and occasionally horses or cattle and calves from coyotes and the occasional lone domestic dog.

The most commonly seen LGD is the Great Pyrenees, typically used to protect goats and sheep against coyotes, wolves and mountain lions in the U.S. and other predatory animals across the globe. We both worked all day and there were many stray dogs… around our home in New York. ... Alpacas.

Guardian animals include llamas, donkeys, mules, ponies, and guardian dogs. Neither donkeys nor llamas are effective against bears, wildcats, small mammals, snakes, or rodents.

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A pack of coyotes can take down a single dog, but if you have two or more, the dogs are much more likely to win. “Donkeys can’t handle the same predators as dogs and they won’t protect your farm against small pests like raccoons or birds, but they also won’t keep you up all night barking,” she says. In addition to preventing losses of stock to predators, they have a very active part in the day-to-day care of the herd as well.

A donkey will fend off individual canines and often small packs as well.