brush wolf and hot dog had been a major job at the University of Rhode Island ’s Peckham Farm , home to a loot - bring home the bacon quite a little ofDorset sheep . Then the university corrupt Bonnie , a guard donkey .
She get to the URI campus in December 2003 after a large number of dogs had attacked the sheep . Of the 26 ewes in the troop then , 17 suffered severe puncture wounds . One was killed , and six were badly injured , include one so earnestly hurt she had to be euthanized a few week later on .
Since the precaution donkey ’s arrival , the university has not lost a exclusive animate being , says Dave Marshall , Peckham Farm manager , so the schooling acquire a second guard domestic ass , name Dee .
In nearby Lebanon , Conn. , Paul Tubey says he ’s realize coyotes lurking in the woods surrounding his Beltane Farm , but the predators have stay away from his sundry ruck ofOberhasliandLaManchagoats since he develop a guard Equus asinus .
Guard Donkeys at Work
In accession to dogs or coyotes , sentry duty donkeys can also protect farm animal againstfoxesand bobcats , according to the Texas Department of Agriculture , but sinister bears , wolves and hatful Leo the Lion might raven on domestic ass .
“ Donkeys swear predominantly on pile and sound to detect intruders , ” harmonize to a bulletin from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture , Food and Rural Affairs . “ When approached , sheep will be given to move so the guard animal is between the intruder and themselves . The donkeys ’ loud brays and straightaway pursuit will scare away predatory animal and may also alert the shepherd .
Usually , a donkey will confront the predator and run it out of the pasture .
“ If the canines do not retreat speedily , the donkeys will attack them by rising up on their hind legs and strike with both front foot , ” the bulletin says . “ A satisfying blow can injure , kill or at the very least discourage the predator . ”
When a visitant bring a leashed dog to URI ’s Peckham Farm , Bonnie and Dee crunch menacingly as they charged to the pasturage fencing . Before buying a potential guard duty donkey , it ’s overbold to essay its reaction to a pawl .
Know Your Donkeys
Like horses , each domestic ass is unlike from others , say Dave Marshall , a former farrier . During lamb season , he had to separate Dee from the sheep because the younger guard domestic ass was being raring and harsh with lambs .
“ Bonnie , the older one , lets thing happen as they bechance , ” Marshall says . “ Dee is an hatchet man . She want everything to hap the manner she need it to chance , but lambs ca n’t conform ; they do n’t have that in their brains . They have no real ‘ flock gumption . ’ Dee ca n’t put them together ; one survive this way and another goes that way , so she render to grab them .
Marshall says Dee will have an prosperous time control the sheep once they turn 6 months old because the lamb will become part of the dynamic of the flock .
Where to Get a Donkey
Donkeys are often uncommitted at stock auctions or by reaching out todonkey and mule breed associations .
“ Jennies ( female ) are desirable for function as guard duty animals , ” according to the Texas Department of Agriculture . “ jack ( entire males ) , which cost about half as much as jennies , should be gelded before use as guard beast . ”
Fred Launer , an animal - science teacher at URI , recommends buy guard donkey from breeders who have selected stock specifically for the donkeys ’ herd - tribute inherent aptitude . The domestic ass might cost more , but it ’s a wise investment funds , he aver . Dee and Bonnie come from guard - donkey stock breeder in Pennsylvania .
Some guard - donkey owners breed their own donkeys . The practice allows selection for donkeys with good guarding tendency . In 2004 , URI ’s Bonnie foal Clyde , who after gelding , was sold to a nearby shepherd .
Donkeys and Socialization
“ The donkey should be infix to the sheep as early on as possible to increase the likelihood of the donkey bonding to the mountain , ” according to the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture , Food and Rural Affairs . “ Getting the sheep and domestic ass to accept each other as ‘ flockmates ’ is the first dance step in allowing the domestic ass to exhibit its true guarding instinct . Under ideal condition the jenny and her foal should be raised with the sheep . The weaned foal should then be result alone with the flock . ”
Donkeys are very sociable animals , though , so many remember that in decree to effectively do their jobs , they take to operate alone . Farmers concern that if the domestic ass are allow to amalgamate with Bos taurus , horse or other donkey , then the sheep will be ignore . At Beltane Farm , however , Tubey had to buy a jigger to be a calming companion for his donkey , a vulgar and sound resolution for Equus asinus that can seem to be stressed , says URI ’s Fred Launer .
Donkey Care
Donkeys are hardy and normally require minimal attention .
“ yearly worming and occasional supplemental feeding during periods of poor reach circumstance may be all that is ask , ” according to the Texas Department of Agriculture . “ Water should be pronto available and snow or ice should not be relied on for meeting water breathing in needs during cold weather . Do not allow donkeys access to feed containing Rumensin , urea or other mathematical product intended only forruminants . Equus asinus can benefit from inoculation against common equid diseases , such as tetanus and encephalitis . Veterinary care , hoof trim down and swim of tooth may be needed at time . ”
Guard donkeys do not need special training , but they ’re easier to handle after they have become accustomed to a halter .
Guard Donkey Tips
If you think adding a guard donkey to your menagerie is in your time to come , use these tip from the Texas Department of Agriculture to find the best animal to fit your farms need .
