Guarding your sheep from predators becomes a concern for most shepherds. Depending upon the size of the local predator problem, there are several options to providing protection to your flock. On our farm we use Guard Llamas that were raised around sheep. They are very in tune with "their" sheep and get quite upset when anything unusual is going on. I saw a coyote run along the fence line to the back woods one day and the guard llama began bucking and running and got extremely agitated. There was a field fire north of us another time and again, he acted the same way, and then he stood sentry watching the smoke in the distance until things had calmed down. When strangers are on the farm, he is acutely aware of them and often paces and keeps an eye on what is happening around his "girls." We don't have a big problem with predators, but there are coyotes around and I sleep better knowing our guard llamas are with the flocks.. One of the advantages to using a guard llama is that they eat the same things the sheep do, so are very easy to keep in the flock and their fiber can be harvested to use. Make sure that a male llama has been neutered (intact males may mount ewes).
We know some shepherds who choose a Guard Donkey.
Some farms use Guard Dogs, but before making that decision please be sure to do your homework. There is a lot involved in raising a guard dog and making sure it sees its sheep as something to protect rather than predate. One popular breed of guard dog is the Great Pyrenees.
For quality purebred Great Pyrenees puppies, contact Blackhavens Farm. |
