Coyotes!!! Need advice, please.

[Judymae]

We haven't had any issues with Mr. Donkey going after our dogs but we did get him when he was younger and he must've figured out which dogs were ours. Now one time we had adopted a dog that was full grown. She ended up biting me about six months after we got her. She actually attacked me out in the pasture. I was freaking out and screaming and Mr. Donkey came running. He did stomp her to death. It was horrible. I couldn't get him to stop. I tried. But his sense of protection must run deep.

The only thing with a donkey and kids is that they WILL kick. Mine hasn't kicked us yet (we've had him almost 9 yrs) but I would never put it past him. If given the proper attention they can be awesome additions to your home and farm. They are stubborn during training but that's their disposition.

 

[redhen]

so...you guys dont think a mini donkey would work??

cause the big ones kinda scare me...

we also have a coyote problem here...a bad one...they den in the sand pitts at the end of my road..and are not afarid of us at all!....UGH!...

 

[Judymae]

I would get a full size donkey. They aren't all that big. Mine is smaller than a pony and he does the job just fine!! Don't be scared. We love and give our donkey kisses!!

 

[PortageGirl]

I actually think it might. Donkeys are all attitude, and that can really impress coyotes. I think if it's a full pack of coyotes, almost anything can have trouble with them, but one, or a pair, I think a mini would probably be just as effective. I've only met minies once, a pair of em so I really can't say for sure.

Coyotes will eat anything, but their favorite is EASY!! If a mini's instincts are the same as a full size, and they seem so to me, they won't make it easy for the beasties. I think it'd be worth a shot if you have the room and the desire for em.

I agree that standards can be very nice though. Stubborn isn't at all the same as mean.

 

[Faverolle]

Quote:
Many, many dogs will still have ticks on them even if you use Frontline. I think a lot of it depends on how bad the tick problem is and also how often it's applied.

One of the keys to using any of the topical flea/tick prevetatives like Frontline is to make sure it is applied every 28 days, not every first of the month, etc where it may be 30 or 31 days between treatments. Also it really should be used all 12 months whether you are in NH or down south. There are plenty of times I see ticks in the winter, last winter was a good example because here in Western MA we almost always had some type of a warm up after a cold spell and it was not uncommon to see a myriad of insect life outside in January and February. This year it has not been as mild here but is it really worth taking extra chances to save a couple months of treatment?

 

[Up-the-Creek]

Recently coyotes have started showing up around our home. They have been here in southern WV for a good while,but the population is growing and their territory is expanding. We live at the foot of a mountain that is about 4,000 acres that has no human habitation so they are in a good place. They have been coming in close to our house for water I believe. Night before last there was four or more just in front of our house across the creek. People here has went on and on about the DNR releasing them to control our deer population, but that is not the reason they are here. Coyotes have been in this area since the 1950's and they have naturally populated because they have no natural predator. All of our big predator animals have been killed out because of people being scared and livestock problems. NOW we have the coyote.The only way to get rid of it,well there is no way. You can thin them out by shooting them,but they are here to stay,native to the area or not. We have big dogs and that keeps them at bay,plus we have plenty of people hunting them for the reward on their hydes. Fifty dollars a hyde is a good incentive to keep the population thinned. I would not reccomend poisoning them not unless you want to kill dogs and whatever else comes in contact with it. I would find someone close to hunt them and get some big dogs. Coyotes are nocturnal, you wont see too much of them during the day. I have kids too and I do not encourage them to be scared to go out during the day or night. Coyotes are not going to attack a human not unless their is something wrong with them. This is the price we pay to live in the country,..good luck.

 

[redhen]

Quote:
aww! now can he go in with my goats?...i have a sassy pygmy doe and a french alpine weather...he would have to sleep with the goats also....because we have seen the coys around out goat pen before, circling it and we ran out and they took off.......and they keep coming back! we will hear them yippin and go outside and we can hear them in the woods by the goat fence...trying to find a way in...ooh, can the donkeys go with pigs also?...i have my pot belly pigs with my goats also...sorry to ask so many questions..but i am really thinking about this...thanks!, Wendy *heres a pic of my goat pen and house...you can see how its in the woods...thats where the coys come up from...*

 

[Swamp Roo]

Quote:
That is why I won't use poison personally. I'd leave it to the professionals, IF it was the only way. I'd find another way altogether.

Swamp

 

[CovenantCreek]

redhen --

I think a donkey would be quite happy to share the pen with your goats and pigs. The steps might be a challenge, especially covered in ice, but maybe not. Start with a mini and see if that's enough of a deterrent to the coyotes, if not go larger. Even though the minis are short, they're still very stocky little things (and seem to enjoy playing, if my neighbors' are any indication).

 

[redhen]

Quote:
okay! thanks! i think i am going to start looking for a baby one..so it can get used to my dogs and goats amd pigs from a young age....thanks alot!...