Coyotes Ate My Sheep

     We always knew it was a possibility but when it happens, it is still a shock.  We have a lot of coyotes around where we live and haven’t really thought too much about them.  But when I looked out the window last Friday morning and saw a partially eaten carcass of one of the Shetland’s I was shocked.  Running out to the pasture I saw another Shetland carcass that I couldn’t see from the house.  One of the sheep had been eaten and one had been killed but not eaten.  Both sheep had wounds that were very typical of a coyote attack, but no other wounds such as dogs would usually inflict.

     The portable electric fence we use as cross-fencing is great for keeping the sheep in, but obviously not well suited to keeping predators out.  I really didn’t think coyotes would attempt to jump that fence; it is nearly 4’ tall.  Obviously, I was mistaken.  So how do we protect the rest of the flock?  The immediate solution was to construct an enclosure inside the pasture that we can put the sheep into at night.  We used 16’ x 52” cattle panels that are very easy to move around and attach easily to “T” posts.  6 of those panels in a round configuration made a pretty effective predator proof enclosure and it is easy to take down and move to a new location. 

    

      Another option would be to provide protection for the sheep in the form of a llama or donkey.  Both are equally good at protecting sheep from canine predators.  Llamas seemed to be the easiest and best option for us.  They are very quick to attach themselves to the sheep usually within a couple of days or even quicker.  Intact males are not good as they will be attracted to ewes.  Gelded males are preferred but ideally they shouldn’t be gelded until over 3 years of age.  Female llamas are also very effective guardians.  Another plus for using llamas is the food and medications required are the same as the sheep.  The temperament of llamas however, can be difficult to deal with.  Llamas that are aggressive towards humans would not be acceptable.  You have to be able to halter and lead them, handle them and get in the same pen with them.  They should show curiosity and be constantly alert and aware of their surroundings.  An animal that appears shy or timid is probably not going to make a good guardian.  And single animals make better guardians than pairs.  Two llamas will tend to bond with each other rather than with the sheep.  
A good source of information on using guardian animals is http://www.sheep101.info/guardians.html

     Livestock predation happens and when it does, it can be stressful for the owners.  We have learned a valuable lesson and will go on wiser for the experience.  And from now on, sheep and a llama will eat my grass!