Consolidated Kansas

[HEChicken]

Grrr. Coyotes got one of my sheep last night. All that is left this morning is the hide and 3 legs. I'm *so* upset and can't believe they went after a sheep instead of my birds who were right next to the sheep pen.

 

[chicken danz]

Oh no, Hechicken!!! That is unreal. Were they in the new pen? There must have been a whole pack of them. Even when I had goats and before I got GPs I never had coyotes come take them or their babies. Do your dogs go in at night? So does that mean you'll be sitting outside with a gun tonight? I just can't believe that they would be that aggressive.
Luckily the coyote that took the duck in broad daylight hasn't been back here yet. But I am still loosing adults that aren't penned to the owls.
Well you guys are going to have to raise Dorkings cause I sure can't afford to have any more breeds! I'm still needing to down size more.
I was sick all weekend and am still sick. Holy crap, is this is a stomach bug it is a stubborn one for sure.
I have a hatcher full of chicks. DH said he had never seen that many chicks in the hatcher at one time before. I have no place ready to put them. I also hatched 3 more peafowl during the night and need to make some room for peafowl. They are way too crowded.
Sure glad I am trying to quit hatching!!!
I loaded up the incubators again yesterday. I only put Swedish, a couple brahma, lavender orps, guineas, and some peafowl eggs in.

 

[HEChicken]

Oh no, Hechicken!!! That is unreal. Were they in the new pen? There must have been a whole pack of them. Even when I had goats and before I got GPs I never had coyotes come take them or their babies. Do your dogs go in at night? So does that mean you'll be sitting outside with a gun tonight? I just can't believe that they would be that aggressive.

The way we have it set up now is we were able to open the gate of their temporary pen and give them access to a 7-acre pasture. The coyotes would have had to climb up and over the fence to get in, which my neighbor, who was with me when I found it, thought impossible. But I saw the fox do it last year so I know its possible. And clearly they did - either that or they're still out there, unable to leave. The grass is so long they would be hard to spot, which does make me worry, but yes, I do plan to be waiting for them this evening. I figure it was probably adults with multiple young at foot to clean the carcass as well as they did. I am still reeling - I didn't see THIS coming. I'm always concerned about losing birds - I didn't expect to lose sheep.

So now we're exploring our options. With the property fenced, we could keep in a livestock guardian in a way that we couldn't before. We have also talked about donkeys and llamas.

My dogs have done an awesome job to date of keeping my birds safe. But, in fencing off the area for the sheep, we also fenced it such that it is now more difficult for the dogs to get back to the pasture. Also, they are small, 40-lb'ish dogs who might be vulnerable themselves if set upon by a whole pack of coyotes. One of my dogs loves to chase solo coyotes but I've seen some that are bigger than her, so if they turned on her, I really worry about her safety.

 

[chicken danz]

Yeah that was what I was thinking after seeing how your place is set up. I can't imagine a coyote being able to climb the fence. .. a fox maybe but not a coyote...or a pack of them. I wonder if they might have dug under neath the fence some place?
I of course love my LGDs but you can often find a donkey or similar animal for $100 or less and they are excellent to kill coyotes. The advantage of course is they can eat the same as the sheep. The only draw back is they will also stomp a dog to death so you'd have to be sure your dogs didn't get in the pen with them. I have a neighbor who has some that get out occasionally and I always have to catch them and tie them up until she can get here because I am afraid they'll kill my dogs. Hopefully with the fence up now I won't have to worry about that.

 

[HEChicken]

Really? They will actually KILL a coyote? I had no idea. I thought they just weren't intimidated so chased them until they gave up and left.

I've walked the fence and there isn't anywhere that was dug under, so that really leaves me wondering how they got in. I really hope they're not still out there....

 

[HEChicken]

Yeah that was what I was thinking after seeing how your place is set up. I can't imagine a coyote being able to climb the fence. .. a fox maybe but not a coyote...or a pack of them. I wonder if they might have dug under neath the fence some place?
I of course love my LGDs but you can often find a donkey or similar animal for $100 or less and they are excellent to kill coyotes. The advantage of course is they can eat the same as the sheep. The only draw back is they will also stomp a dog to death so you'd have to be sure your dogs didn't get in the pen with them. I have a neighbor who has some that get out occasionally and I always have to catch them and tie them up until she can get here because I am afraid they'll kill my dogs. Hopefully with the fence up now I won't have to worry about that.

The whole pasture has been fenced since you were here so it is a little different now. We've been talking about the pros and cons of another LGD all morning. Here's where we're at:

Pros:

• can live in the pasture with the sheep and keep them safe. Con: need two since it seems mean to have one live alone except for the company of the sheep. Comments?

Cons:

• another "dependent" that needs to be fed daily (the last one we had ate as much as our two smaller dogs put together. If we got two, they would add significantly to the feed bill and therefore add significantly to the cost of raising sheep.
• Dogs need to be fed twice daily (unlike a donkey that at least part of the year would feed itself) adding to the time and difficulty traveling (i.e., one more thing for a pet sitter to do)
• Dogs need things like flea/tick/heartworm meds/shots, again adding to the expense

Pros of a donkey:

• Can live in the pasture and eat same food as sheep at least part of the year

Cons of a donkey:

• Needs feet trimmed regularly
• Needs fed over winter, adding to expense.
• Getting it here (transport)
• Another thing for a pet sitter to have to care for and/or us to care for during the months that are the most uncomfortable to be outside

On the other hand, the other option is mechanical.
Cons:

• Have to wait around to see it to get in a shot

Pros:

• Doesn't require regular feeding
• Once its done its job, the problem is gone

Hmmm...I just talked myself into hoping that last one works

 

[RoosterLew]

I'm voting DOnkey all the way...I mean COME ON, who doesnt need a donkey!

You forgot to add on the Pro Donkey list...
He can pull the cart!

 

[RoosterLew]

Will Mini-Donkeys keep dogs at bay?

 

[chicken danz]

I have an emergency going on and have to get rid of almost all of my birds. Anyone want to buy breeders or chicks from what I have please notify me. I need to move them fast!!!

 

[RoosterLew]

I have an emergency going on and have to get rid of almost all of my birds. Anyone want to buy breeders or chicks from what I have please notify me. I need to move them fast!!!

Wow Danz, I cannot imagine what kind of emergency would have you getting rid of them all!

So sorry, I hope it all works out for the best!