By Ethan K. Pugh
Being a goat or sheep producer in Kentucky is not always the easiest. Take for example my experience raising goats and sheep on the hillsides of the southeastern part of the state. Whether it was the climb up and down daily to tend to my flock or the challenge of having a lack of flat land to do maintenance and medication when needed, it takes a tough producer to raise livestock in our state. The biggest threat to our industry is not the endless climbs up and down the hill, but rather what waits atop them waiting for a moment to capitalize on the lamb buffet awaiting them below. With coyotes, bobcats, black bears, foxes, and many other predators in the state, as well as predator populations on the rise across the nation, protecting our livestock is something at the forefront of every producer’s mind. Especially as we enter coyote breeding season here in the state, run-ins with predators will become all too common. How can we ensure our flock is protected, and is there one solution better than the rest?
Now, I’m sure many of us have taken up arms late at night when the howling of a coyote gets a little too close to home, but not all of us are the next Daniel Boone or Davy Crockett. Hunting or trapping nuisance predators is a tough task for even serious outdoorsmen, which is why it is important to rely on the resources our state provides for us. If you do not have the time or resources to remove a nuisance predator on your own, head to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife website. There you can find the access page for nuisance wildlife control operators in the state. By selecting your county and providing the species of nuisance you can find a nuisance control specialist in your area. Now the services they provide are not free, but it is a better alternative than losing animals out of your flock. This is also a good way to get into contact with someone who knows the predator management laws in your area. For those of you who want to take this route the link to the page is attached below. If this option is not for you do not fret, as we are just getting started.
I had the pleasure of visiting the farm of a local producer in Carter County when working on this article to see their predator management methods firsthand and ask them what works best for their farm. He shared the common sentiment that I had heard from many others in the field, the use of livestock guardian dogs. I was greeted warmly by his four dogs, a mixture of Anatolian Shepherds and Great Pyrenees. When I asked him about the losses, he had experienced because of predation he excitedly told me that since implementing his LGDs (Livestock Guardian Dogs) he had not lost a sheep or goat. There are challenges with implementing the use of LGDs, specifically the extra expenses and ensuring your livestock does not get into the dog feed. However, the success a producer can have when implementing the use of LGDs makes them well worthwhile. Maybe you’re a cat person though, then what are your options? Well, lucky for you numerous animals have been used as guardian animals for producers. Donkeys and Llamas are popular types I have seen but I am sure there are others. Utilizing any guardian animal can provide an extra line of defense to your flock, especially if you’re running them in a large pasture.
Through advancements in technology, we can also bring electric fencing to places that were previously out of reach. A strong fence is a must for any producer but adding a little juice to it can make it almost impenetrable. Not only is electric fencing a good way to keep predators out but also ensures we can keep our livestock in the fence where they are protected. Since most predators are nocturnal, we can also utilize electric fencing to secure a small paddock in a larger pasture to practice night penning. This allows us to save money by not running electric around our entire pasture but rather making a smaller, more secure paddock to keep the herd safe at night. This solution is also beneficial to producers who may live in close contact with neighbors who would complain about the barking of dogs or where hunting the predators is not an option. A mobile electric fence many producers have utilized is premier 1, which makes multiple options for producers. Their website is linked below.
I have also implemented the use of fright tactics to keep my herd safe. I got the idea from my elderly neighbor, who similarly utilized a strobe light to keep coyotes from coming in his dog door, which had happened a time or two. I realized if that is good enough to keep him from cuddling a coyote it could probably benefit the protection of my flock as well. The implementation of motion-detected lights and noise makers can alert both you and your flock that danger is present while also scaring away the threat.
So, which of these solutions is the best? It depends on the producer. I implement a little of all of these to help ensure the safety of my livestock. Whether you choose to go with a guard llama or take up coyote hunting, proper implication and management are the keys to ensuring success at battling back predators to our flock.
Fish and Wildlife Nuisance Control Website:
Premiere 1 mobile electric fencing:
Ethan K. Pugh, is a senior at Morehead State University studying in animal sciences. Growing up on a small farm in Breathitt county he gained experience raising multiple different types of livestock. Ethan is passionate about agriculture in the Bluegrass state and hopes to pursue a career helping producers in the field.
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