Coyote!

[JWC sr.]

To answer your question, most mini's are not capable of handling coyote's. About 7 years ago we lost 3 babies, before we got the coyote and red wolf problem under control.

We now have pyrannees and jennies that run the pastures with the mini's and we have confirmed them killing over 30 in the last 6 years.

No type fence will keep them out, they will go over or under just about anything.

Also in our area, because red wolf are protected species we can not posin or trap them. So they run rampant at times. With our protection animal program though we hear them around us, but they do not come on the property anymore.

Good luck,

 

[Bonny]

Well that about settles it. The next time I am going out with the shot gun or the 3030.

AND I am going to invest in some sort of Mules/Donkeys to keep with the minis!

 

[Reignmaker Miniatures]

I just want to add to the group who says the coyote can and will prey on your horse if it thinks it can succeed (as in when she is foaling) and don't be sure your dog can 'take care' of it either. I just lost my much loved female bullmastiff to coyotes. The pack hunted her and altho she was wary and smart (at 5 years old she had plenty of experience) the pack had just grown to large for her to handle alone. We have a predator control specialist (big name means a hunter who knows predators) who will be here in the next week to remove the leaders and thin the pack before they start on livestock (and my horses)

 

[Bonny]

I just want to add to the group who says the coyote can and will prey on your horse if it thinks it can succeed (as in when she is foaling) and don't be sure your dog can 'take care' of it either. I just lost my much loved female bullmastiff to coyotes. The pack hunted her and altho she was wary and smart (at 5 years old she had plenty of experience) the pack had just grown to large for her to handle alone. We have a predator control specialist (big name means a hunter who knows predators) who will be here in the next week to remove the leaders and thin the pack before they start on livestock (and my horses)

I am so sorry that happened to your dog!

I must say that also shocks me as Bullmastifs are not an easy target for sure.

I am glad you have someone coming to help.

This is very scary.

 

[Keri]

I would definately kill the coyote. They'll even pull a baby calf through a fence. Pretty nasty creatures and I wouldn't even want they close with a foal coming or here. Check first with the laws. You may have to pay to have a trapper out or your son may be able to kill it. Those coyote calls with a rabbit in distress are great to call them in. My hubby goes coyote hunting. And your son may be able to make a little money selling the hide.

But I know people have llamas as herd protectors or get you a great pyrenesse (sp?).

 

[Skittlebittie]

Living in the country, as I do, means that I am also living with all kinds of wildlife. One does not come without the other. I keep my dogs in a fenced yard, so they dont run off, chase other people's horses/cows, and dont get into trouble. I keep my new foals in a pen with horse fencing, which is 4 inch square, for at least a week, then I let them out with the rest of the herd, but always back up at night. When I had chickens, and guinea hens, they were being picked off one by one. But, I let them run loose on my property. Once I started keeping them up in a coop at night, it stopped. Now, I do see coyotes out here all the time. I have seen them early in the morning, and at dusk, hunting for food. They will periodically run through my front yard. I am not shocked by this, I am used to seeing them. They are afraid of people, and typically dont go out of their way to run into us, as a rule.

But wild animals are smart. They are used to hunting for food on their own. However, if you have critters in your horse feed, find a way to secure the lid. Dont feed outside cats, if you are not okay with also feeding skunks, coons, and possums along with them. The mistake people make about wildlife is thinking if they get rid of a problem critter, that that will take care of the problem. If you kill one coyote, it will be replaced by another, and another, etc. The best way to take care of the situation is to place the food source in an inexcessible area, wherever that may be.

I am an Rvt in veterinary medicine, and have been for 27 years. I am also a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in the state of Texas, which means I take in orphaned, or injured wildlife, and release them when they are old enough or well enough to live on their own. It is very time consuming, but also very rewarding. My wish is for all of us to co-exist together. They were here well before we built our houses and barns.

Didn't mean to get on a soap box here. I think it is sad when I hear about horses or foals being injured by wildlife, or by a pack of wild dogs (which happens quite often). As a matter of fact, I recently bought a beautiful mare. Before she could be shipped to me, she was attacked by a pack of wild dogs, and died as a result.

 

[horseplay]

Just wanted to add that not all donkeys protect, I have had many donkies over the years some will bray and charge anything that it thinks doesn't belong in it's pasture and some will run. Also a donkey/mule full size or not is no match for a pack big or small

. Good luck hope you find a solution.

 

[Bonny]

Skittle- I wonder where in Tx you are. I amnorth of Houston. I also have a friend who rehabilitates wilds and we have had the pleasure to enjoy many critters she has had in her care. It is something we also care very much about. I keep all my feed and food up at all time in a can with a lid in a locked shed. Now my chicken however are on the coyote menu and they do perch on the horse fence at night. I will be doing something about that asap.

I agree, I dont like to have to dispose of any creature but once an animal knows where to get its dinner, it wont stop.

There is no easy solution as I see. Thankfully we dont hear the pack howl as I have heard that before and it is an eerie sound.I dont know for sure the coyote is getting my small chickens as I have seen the neighbors cats get 2of them, I can only guess that this coyote is. However I dont want to encourage him either.

I will have to take care of this not entirely sure how to.I sure hope he is a loner and I am not looking at a pack issue.

 

[Skittlebittie]

Skittle- I wonder where in Tx you are. I amnorth of Houston. I also have a friend who rehabilitates wilds and we have had the pleasure to enjoy many critters she has had in her care. It is something we also care very much about. I keep all my feed and food up at all time in a can with a lid in a locked shed. Now my chicken however are on the coyote menu and they do perch on the horse fence at night. I will be doing something about that asap.I agree, I dont like to have to dispose of any creature but once an animal knows where to get its dinner, it wont stop.

There is no easy solution as I see. Thankfully we dont hear the pack howl as I have heard that before and it is an eerie sound.I dont know for sure the coyote is getting my small chickens as I have seen the neighbors cats get 2of them, I can only guess that this coyote is. However I dont want to encourage him either.

I will have to take care of this not entirely sure how to.I sure hope he is a loner and I am not looking at a pack issue.

Hi Bonny,

I am located in Sanger, which is about 60 miles north of Dallas. Yes, it is very hard to feed and care for these guys, and then have to release them and hope they do well. It is so easy to get attached to them. Sounds like you should try your hand with the wildlife yourself

We always need more help. So many in need, and so few to help! Here is a picture of some of my bottle babies . Hope it downloads okay. Send me an email if you like at [email protected]

Thanks,

Lori

 

[rockin r]

We have them here too! Fencing galore! and hot wire! Still I do not trust that will keep them out. A few years ago we found 2 dens in the back of our property. We were having the pasture re-terraced, the dens were empty at the time, so they were buried. No more dens since then. They drug a 25 lb turkey over the fence last year at my neighbors! So, ALL my minis go into the barns at night in their own stalls, with the BARN DOORS CLOSED!!!!! The electric bill on the barns runs us approx. $80.00-$100.00 per barn every month during the summer to keep them cool because the doors are closed. But it is worth every cent to us, I could not bare it to find one of my babies mauled....REO's husband saw a Badger on their property!! YIKES!!! I DO NOT like to shoot animals, BUT...I would if one had a hold of one of my horses! Good luck...IMO if they are that close to your house, they are hungry and looking for food. Be on the look out with a 30/30. Sometimes just knocking a round off into the ground will be enough to send them packing...

 

[Reignmaker Miniatures]

[I am so sorry that happened to your dog! [/b]

I must say that also shocks me as Bullmastifs are not an easy target for sure.

I am glad you have someone coming to help.

This is very scary.

Thank you for your sympathy. I know I will eventually be able to remember her without the pain of thinking how her life ended in such a terrible way. That said I am NOT looking for retribution, the coyotes were being true to their nature and I can't blame them for that. We have had several years where the rabbit population (rabbits are the main food source for coyotes here) has been huge so the coyotes have had larger litters while the food was plentiful. Now the pack has grown quite large and of course the larger pack requires more food. This alone puts every domestic animal at risk from them. I have no option but to thin the numbers since I can not barn all my stock.(the minis are not the only thing they will threaten) We have lived in the country for many years (in my case all my life) and watched the foxes pairing in the spring and listened to the coyotes howl at dusk. We have enjoyed the antics of bear cubs in the clover field and accepted the moose sharing the cows feed in winter. All of this is one of the perks of living in the country and we love the opportunity to share our space with the wild life. However I live with the belief that they would end our lives if they felt it would be a benefit to them (and they were able) and I must put my life and the lives I care for ahead of theirs if I think they are a threat in some way. It is the way of nature and I am fortunate enough to be at the top of the food chain rather than the bottom.

 

[Miniv]

I believe exactly the same thing.....and you put it very well........It's part of the cycle of life.

 

[JWC sr.]

Since this thread started we have a couple of neighbors down the road about a mile that have been having problems, they called the Government trapper who came in and set traps. As I said before because we are in a Red Wolf area (endangered species) individuals cannot trap or poisin in this area, So a gov. trapper is supplied. Come to find out Gilbert (neighbor) had lost three calves in the last couple of weeks, so he called the guy. OH!

In the last two nights the guy trapped 11 coyotes and 1 red wolf (hybrid)which was released. Additionally Gilbert had a QH colt pulled down three nights ago and killed. He is borrowing a couple of our jennies yesterday for a couple of months to help deal with this also. Needless to say if they can and will pull down an 8 month old QH they sure could get a mini.

We have tried Llama's in the past and had limited sucess, even though I liked having them. These durn jennies are awesome nothing that does not belong in the pastures they are in are allowed in there including the small stuff like foxes and racoons. Add the pair of pyranees to patrol around out the perimeter and it sure works for us.

One thing I might note is that we set our gates high enough for the dogs to easily get under so they access to every pasture. Also we have in the past tried Anatolian's and they worked, but were not as good with people. With as many grandkids as we have we went back to pyranees which are great with people.

Again good luck with these guys, I love animals(wild and domestic), but it is my job to protect the livestock in my charge and we will do whatever is required to do that.

 

[Bonny]

I believe exactly the same thing.....and you put it very well........It's part of the cycle of life.

I agree. I believe also like JWC sr. I am not a wild life killer but rather a protector of my herd. IF needed I will shoot. However I would rather use another animal to 'scare' them off. If possible that is.

Skittle I have raised baby squirrels before, actually the story is that is how we met the friend that is a wildlife rehib. We raised him not knowing it was illegal, and when it was time to release we found out so, and then brought him to her. I have a true soft spot for the squirrels as they are so kitten like( and I dont get to enjoy the kittens as I am allergic)That is until they get older....definitely not a pet type critter! However still worth the time and energy you invest.

We have bottle fed baby possum, omg so cute, and baby deer, that was awesome!

Maybe sometime in the future I will do that...

 

[Magic]

One thing I might note is that we set our gates high enough for the dogs to easily get under so they access to every pasture. Also we have in the past tried Anatolian's and they worked, but were not as good with people. With as many grandkids as we have we went back to pyranees which are great with people.

I have an Anatolian (spayed) female and an Anatolian/Great Pyreness cross, and they are both really wonderful with people.

My Anatolian loves kids and super-gentle with them. It depends on each individual dog, what kind of breeder you get them from, and also what kind of socialization they get when they are young. So many people say to not handle Livestock Guardian Dogs too much, or they won't guard, but that just isn't true-- if you want to be able to groom your dogs, give veterinary care, and yes, have them be comfortable around people, then you want to socialize your young LGDs. Mine come when called and have been trained basic obedience. They are good with my other dogs and absolutely excellent with the horses, and they are very enthusiastic guardians. With the mountains that are just a half-mile from us being a Wilderness Area, we have plenty of predators in the area including mountain lions, coyotes and wolves, but nothing tries to get in our pastures with the LGDs here.

 

[Lucky-C-Acres-Minis]

Sometimes I have to wonder about decisions made to introduce predatory animals to an area. Here in Oregon they decided we need Wolves. Now the ranchers are having issues with the wolves attacking and killing their livestock.Yes they are beautiful animals but at what cost do we have these programs.

Just wanted to chime in here on this, predatory animals are NEEDED in life, they're one of those "necessary evils.." Without them the ecosystem would be thrown soooo off balance, predators/prey keep each other from destroying the ecosystem, think about what would happen with the rabbit, ground hog, squirrel, deer etc. populations if the numbers of predatory animals dropped way low or to zero, those cute furry long eared bunnies can be quite the nuisance as well and boy you should see my grandfather's field crops this year thanks to those little "Bambi's"

While the deer, rabbits etc may not go around and kill "pets" etc. they do reek havoc on fences, crops, gardens (and not to mention cars

)

We have several coyotes in our woods, *knock on wood* we haven't had a problem with them coming too close to our animals (horses, chickens, dogs) but there have been times when they've come close enough for us to give off warning shots from a shotgun which makes them tuck tail and hit the road.. Our fences are in good shape and we have a few outside dogs which I think helps

 

[Minimor]

6 years ago we had to call in a hunter to thin out the coyotes here. We had at least 2 that were a problem; they were coming right into our yard and stealing cats. We didn't have many Minis then and the smallest ones were in the barn for the nights that winter. The game warden told us that if there are enough coyotes and they are hungry enough our Minis would be in danger. So, I called a hunter who came out one morning & called in two, both of which he shot. He obviously got the right ones, because that ended our coyote problem.

At the time our dog would help me chase the coyotes away, but she was smart enough to know not to go out after them on her own--she seemed to know she shouldn't let them lure her too far out--and her presence wasn't enough to stop them from coming into the yard. There was one small dark grey one and one big silver one that we saw in the yard different times. The big silver one would come into the corrals at night and sit and watch us do chores. That was a little spooky, really.

Keeping animals up around the house and under lights won't necessarily keep those animals safe. We had one of our cats grabbed just feet from our front door--coyote got him by the head (know that because of the saliva on him afterward, and from the abcess he got from a puncture wound from the coyotes teeth)--the cat was a large one & he was screaming and fighting & the dog (penned up by her dog house) was having a fit and my mom got out the door in time to scare the coyote off before he killed the cat...coyote streaked off into the dark and the cat streaked for my mom...

 

[MiniMomma]

double post

 

[MiniMomma]

LIke I mentioned before Coyotes are a huge problem around are area. I breed Pyrs.... They work better in a team then just one Pyr. It is amazing to watch them work.

My pyrs are in the pasture with the minis, alpacas and donkeys. I have a german/shepard cross outside the fence. He does an amazing job.

IF you are going to purchase an LGD make sure you purchase a pup/dog from working parents. My pups are raised with their herd. My dogs guard at night and are part of the family during the day. I don't believe people who say they should have no interaction with humans.

Like other people mentioned not all donkeys will guard. A neighbor lost a calf and they had a guard donkey in the pasture. Yes it is true that a pack can take out one dog. I have witnessed both of my dogs against 4 coyotes. It is better for the dogs health ( pyr) to have 2 of them. THey take turns sleeping and guarding.

 

[ErikaS.]

My husband says he'll be right over to take care of your coyote problem- he just needs a plane ticket.