Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
ANIMALS THAT CAN BE USED
AS GUARDIANS
Dogs, ponies, llamas, donkeys, mules, and cows can all be used as
guardians. I've even heard of people using geese to guard sheep.
Though I don't think they'd be effective against any wild predators,
they'd probably do the trick with domestic dogs. Of all the species
used as guardians, donkeys are usually the least expensive.
Guardian Dogs
Guardian dogs are most effective on small farms or ranches with good perim-
eter fences (preferably electric or electric added to woven wire). It could be
suggested that a dog is doubly effective if it is protecting its own well-defi ned
territory as well as its fl ock. Users of guardian dogs say that they cannot place
a dollar value on the peace of mind they have from knowing that a dog is with
their sheep. It can mean greater utilization of pasture, too, since the sheep
don't have to be herded into a night corral.
A dog needs to save very few lambs to justify its yearly upkeep. The cost per
year for a dog decreases the longer it lives, as the purchase price is amortized
over a longer period. Let all the neighbors know of the dog's presence when
you acquire it so it will not be shot as an intruder.
