Donkey vs. Llama for guarding livestock???

[zatsdeb]

we have a friend with a great pryneese (I don't know how to spell it either!)
but he said that his dog is raised with the goats, and lives with the goats, and does just fine. they bond and I think the dog thinks he is one of them, sleeps with them, etc.....
I have beagles that are house dogs and are spoiled rotten.
You sure don't want to pet your guard dog though after living with the goats! especially if a stinky old billy rubs against him!!!

 

[jkl79]

I know with donkeys it's better to have just one out there. Do you know if this is true for dogs? I would rather have two dogs out there if I'm not around every day then to just have the one. So I should buy a pyranees puppy (or puppies) and just keep it in the pasture with the goats?? I'm sorry for so many questions! I'm just trying to learn as much as possible from others' experiences!

 

[zatsdeb]

We have 2 donkeys because they are herd animals. I don't know about keeping them with goats all the time, even my jenny. she gets a wild hair and starts running and wanting to play, there has been issues when donkeys have been known to snap a goats neck just playing with them, not meaning to, because they play so rough. our donkeys wrestle each other, grab each other by the neck, kick each other and get very rough.
I don't know if you get a 6 month old jenny and raise her with the donkeys? they can't be weaned before 6 months.
they dogs you just raise them in the goat barn as puppies, I do know some people with a male and female, and raise them also as guardian dogs to sell.
I think if I didn't have the donkeys I would have the dogs.
now my jack and jenny would kill a coyote or racoon also if they get in the pen where they are.
when my jenny is out in the pasture with the goats she usually doesn't bother them, but I don't trust to leave her with them when I am not there.
here is a good site for new goat owners..
http://fiascofarm.com/goats/index.htm

and this one is great..
http://thegoatspot.net/phpbb/index.php
good luck!
and don't forget to post pictures when you get your animals!!

 

[bluebirdfarm]

we have 4 donkeys , 6 sheep and 5 goats and they all getb along fine together , the donks are really good at keeping coyotes away .
we had llamas , but the intact males do try to mount the sheep or goats .
you shold not use a jack for a gaurd animal , they are too agressive.

 

[jkl79]

Do you have to feed your donkeys separately from the goats and sheep? I've read that donkeys can't eat some of the stuff that's in ruminants food.

Thanks to all for the advice - I can't wait to get the animals and put up pics!

 

[bluebirdfarm]

we do NOT give our donks grain , they get like a mad man LOL, they will knock you down to get to the bucket . that said ,
Yes you have to feed them seperately.

we do , However give them , in the very cold winter times , oats , or just a smidling of grain mixed in .
they love thgeir treats though, LOL.
we give them apples and pears that we save from the fall harvests and they like a treat of grnola bar ever now and then!!!!

 

[jkl79]

so do they generally just graze? or do you feed them separately daily? We are not able to be at the land daily. Although neighbors will be checking our stock, I just need to know how much feeding they will require - especially if they must be fed separately!

 

[luvmypoultry]

I've got cows/calves, goats, horses (miniature) and donkeys living together in pasture, they all get along fine. We have coyotes in the area, I hear them at night but never see them. We've never lost anything to coyotes or any predator.
I can't help you with what feed might not be good for donkeys, I don't grain my animals.

 

[jkl79]

So with adequate pasture, your stock are able to get enough food/nutrients? We have 15 acres with mesquite and brush, some grasses and all types of vegetation. I don't know how much supplemental feed they will require. Again - sorry for all the questions - just trying to learn from experienced people!

 

[bluebirdfarm]

the donk graze in grazing season , then you will have to feed them hay wehn grazing is over and minerals , salt can be left out in a covered area.
the sheep and goats can graze also in season , but we feed ours in order to keep them coming in for easy catching and keeping them semi tame for handling , like shearing , trimming feet ,worming, etc.
of course you will have to feed them whenever the winter months come by.