There Was a Coyote in Our Backyard

[wildpeas]

In the middle of the day today I looked out the window and there was a coyote in our backyard/field. Not even 100' from my husband who was mowing. In the two years we have lived here we haven't seen anything and now that we have ducks a coyote shows up. That's just terrific seeing as how we only put up 4' fence around their yard. All we can do is put up a bunch of electric fencing and hope for the best I guess. If I bought a mini donkey would it be a deterrent or would a full size be better? I would happily let it roam all over if it kept everyone a little safer.

 

[cskotek]

Well with us here having coyote they seem to LOVE cats and small game, but they will first scrounge up food before going and running after anything. And to be honest i dont really think a donkey would do much, a friend of mine has horses out in south dakota and they will even go after them if sick or slow. Your better off putting up a good fencing. Were planning on putting up motion sesnor lights as a extra deturrant.

 

[jessiduck]

Try electric fencing or hot wire! That ought to keep em' out

!

 

[Amiga]

When we are not with the ducks outside, they stay in an enclosure that has fence across the top. I set it up that way after a neighbor reported seeing a fox carry off another neighbor's duck in broad daylight a few years back.

We also have coyotes, and bobcats, and raccoons, etc. etc. I have not seen bobcats on our place, but have seen coyotes, foxes, and raccoons.

We run a couple of strands of electric fence around the night shelter, also.

 

[veronicasmom]

Donkeys are very good livestock guardians. But it is not fair to have just one equine living alone if the only thing it has to guard are ducks and/or chickens. They are generally used to guard sheep, or goat herds in this manner. The same with llamas.

 

[Oregon Blues]

Just as long as you are aware that if you get donkeys, your neighbors might call noise complaints, sue you, burn your house down, just to get rid of that awful racket.

 

[cskotek]

Just as long as you are aware that if you get donkeys, your neighbors might call noise complaints, sue you, burn your house down, just to get rid of that awful racket.

Omg! burn your house down????

 

[Miss Lydia]

you mean the hee hawing?

 

[wildpeas]

Donkeys are very good livestock guardians. But it is not fair to have just one equine living alone if the only thing it has to guard are ducks and/or chickens. They are generally used to guard sheep, or goat herds in this manner. The same with llamas.

Just as long as you are aware that if you get donkeys, your neighbors might call noise complaints, sue you, burn your house down, just to get rid of that awful racket.

you mean the hee hawing?

The people that live behind our woods have a mini donk. She doesn't make too much noise but she could be an exception. Our neighbors on the south understand that we all live in the country and I always ask them if things on our side bother them. They are super sweet. Our neighbors to the north have a horse, cows, pigs, chickens, and bees. And a 4 wheeler.

We also have 3 horses that the donk would live near so loneliness wouldn't be a problem.

After looking at finances and other depressing things we have decided to add hotwire to the duck yard and we are going to fence off our woods with hotwire to keep our dogs safe until we are done clearing the brush and trees instead of getting yet another mouth to feed.

 

[veronicasmom]

And, actually, not sure how much of a guardian a mini donkey would be. I was referring to a standard. And the big ones are LOUD. I'd love one, but my neighbors are too close. One of my mares hollers a lot, and I feel bad about that.
Hopefully the hotwire will take care of your problem. Sigh......predators are so awful, aren't they? Good luck.