Farm Guardians

A guardian adds tremendous peace of mind to a farmer, but there are many things to consider when deciding on the kind of guardian to choose and if you have the need for them.

If you have large livestock animals such as goats, sheep, pigs, cows and so on, it is a good idea to consider a guardian. For example, a well bred milk goat is a serious asset to a farm, and if killed not only impacts that seasons milk production, but robs you of generations of milk and goats to come. However, sometimes a situation does not merit the down sides to owning a guardian.

Here is a list of different situations that call for different kinds of guardians.

so sleepy, so vulnerable

 If all you have are chickens...a regular pet dog (that lives outside) and sound housing/ fencing can provide enough deterrence from predators. Mind you, dogs tend to love chasing chickens, these fun chases can turn into fun chicken dinners. So, don't let your dog think they are toys. Proper training is required.

If you live in an area with lots of larger natural predators such as mountain lions, wolves, bears, foxes, and/or coyotes you are definitely in need of a true farm guardian on top of  fencing and housing.

Terrifying

 In a ranch type situation, where the land you live on is vast, flat, and open you might consider a Llama, Alpaca or Donkey. Two or three is best, due to their ability to work as a team protecting their flocks. These protectors are very effective at keeping medium to small sized predators at bay. The main advantages of this style of guardian are;

• Minimal feed requirements - if any
• Cover large areas and patrol fence lines
• No training need - but definitely trainable.

The main dis-advantages are;

• Tend to be very skidish and possibly over aggressive- due to little human interaction
• If overly shy - can be impossible to catch
• Only one is not effective against Cougars, Bears, or Wolves

In a situation where you live in a diverse farm landscape with forest, brush, riparian areas, and topography you are going to need a more diverse guardian. The livestock guardian dog is the most diverse and adaptable choice. However, it is very important to remember there is a huge different between a pet dog, a normal guard dog (such as a pit-bull or doberman) and a livestock guard dog. There are only a handful of livestock guard dog breeds that exist, and these have been bred for hundreds of years to hone in on their protective instincts, so they bond with their flocks. Also a livestock guard dog is NOT a PET. They live and die with their animals. This can be a hard thing for people to understand and respect. If you don't treat your livestock guard dog like a function of the farm, the difficulties that arise can be overwhelming.

Positive aspects of a livestock guard dog;

• Very alert and effective towards all predators
• Adaptable 
• Highly trainable

The downsides to livestock guardian dogs are;

• Require daily feeding - which can be pricey
• Training is very important and needs to be very strict
• If poorly trained can be dangerous to strangers, flock, and you
• Night time barking

This short little rundown is only a primer to the experience of utilizing a farm guardian. Assess your situation, weigh your options, and plan accordingly. No matter the situation or guardian- never employ an un-castrated intact male to guard your livestock. Even multiple CASTRATED males can be a problem.

Another thing to focus on in this situation is that even though you are fending off predators, they are not the enemy, and they are not to be resented. They are trying to survive like the rest of us and we can prevent the worst from happening by taking the steps towards keeping our livestock safe. It is a balance and respect is the key!