Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives

Sheep Predator Control

Introduction

Control of predation among sheep flocks is a serious problem. The wildlife species known to be involved in predation in Canada include the coyote, wolf, fox, black bear, cougar, grizzly bear and bobcat. Manitoba's major problems are coyotes and domestic dogs. Other predators are rarely involved in predation of sheep, although losses caused by them can be severe when they occur. Losses can be reduced by the use of electric fences, guardian animals and management practices. Generally, producers use a combination of these control methods. Prevention cannot be stressed enough because after predators kill once they are more likely to return and kill again.

Fencing

Electric fencing has proven to be an effective non-lethal method of preventing predation. It also provides the opportunity to tie in temporary electric fencing to facilitate pasture subdivision for improved grazing management. Electric fences are relatively easy to maintain and are cheaper to build than conventional fences. However, the fences must be designed and built properly, be grounded properly and be powered by a sufficient energizer. They also require routine inspection and maintenance to reach full protection capabilities. Detailed instructions for construction of these fences can be obtained from http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/livestock/sheep/bsa01s06.html#fencing, Manitoba Agriculture and Food or your local fence supplier.

Guardian animals

A livestock guardian is one that stays with the flock without harming the sheep and aggressively repels predators. Dogs, donkeys and llamas have all been used successfully to protect livestock. The choice depends on the livestock being protected, local terrain, acreage, predator threats, budget, and personal preference. Whichever animal you choose, count on some training, extra feed, vet care, and housing expenses. Guard animals can be effective, but in some situations, packs of coyotes will defeat the most diligent guard animals. If you are following an aggressive rotational grazing program, with flocks in several paddocks at the same time, you may need a guard animal for each paddock. The major advantages of using guard animals include decreased predation, reduced labour to confine sheep at night and more efficient use of pastures for grazing. More specific information on each type of guardian animal can be found at http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/livestock/sheep/bsa01s11.html and in the Manitoba Sheep Reference Manual.

Guard dogs
Guard dogs are a useful tool for reducing livestock losses to predators.  A trustworthy, well-bonded dog is very effective. An important thing to remember is that they are a fulltime member of the flock, they are not a herding dog or a pet. There are many breeds that are suitable, such as; Maremma-Abbruzzi, Akbash, Kuvasz, Great Pyrenees, Kommondor and others. An advantage of using dogs is that multiple dogs does not reduce individual effectiveness. Guard dogs work well in both fenced pasture and range operations. In fact, they are the most effective weapon in large flock, range-type operations or in heavily treed pastures where more than one guard animal is required.

In rare instances dogs may  harass or injure sheep, or wander off and not stay with the sheep. Guard dogs have higher feed costs than guard donkeys or llamas and require daily feeding. However, guard dogs will alert the owners to any disturbances near the flock. They will also protect the livestock and the farm property.

Guard Donkeys
Donkeys have been used for centuries to protect sheep and other herding animals. Donkeys are extremely intelligent, with acute hearing and sight, and they are conservative by nature. They do not like change in their surroundings, and will drive off a coyote or stray dog as much because it is an intruder as from any instinctive dislike of canines. Donkeys are easy to care for - good pasture or hay and water is all they need - and delightful barnyard pets, if you accept that they are clever and rigid. But not all donkeys are instinctive guards. Some will ignore an intruder, and there are stories of donkeys who run away from intruders, and donkeys who attack the sheep and goats they are supposed to protect. There is wide variation in how individual donkeys interact with sheep. Be aware that the donkey's behaviour and mood may be unpredictable during estrus, or when the ewes are lambing.

Researchers recommend using only one jenny (female) or gelded jack (male) per pasture; intact jacks are too aggressive, and two or more donkeys might stay together instead of being with the sheep. They also recommend about a four to six week period for the donkey to bond with the sheep. The donkeys' distinct dislike of canines may also include the farm or herding dog. Donkeys are apparently most effective in small, open pastures or where sheep are cohesive and graze together. Feeds containing anabolic agents, such as monensin (Rumensin) and lasalacid (Bovatec) are poisonous to donkeys.

Guard llamas
Llamas are intelligent, instinctively dislike canines, and are capable of protecting a flock from some predator attacks. A tall, alert llama can be intimidating to a coyote. Because they are ruminants, llamas can eat the same diet as a flock of sheep or goats they are guarding. In many areas, vets have little experience with llamas. A guard llama should always be gelded. It is generally recommended that llamas not be gelded before one year of age because of problems in the growth of leg bones if the male hormones are not available.

Llamas are naturally aggressive toward coyotes and dogs. Typical responses of llamas to coyotes and dogs are being alert; alarm calling; walking to or running toward the predator; chasing, kicking, or pawing the predator; herding the sheep; or positioning themselves between the sheep and predator. Although the snorting and stomping of a llama can be an effective deterrent against a prowling coyote, llamas can themselves be vulnerable to packs of coyotes, dogs, wolves, and cougars. Many llama breeders now refuse to sell llamas as livestock guards because their guarding manner - out of natural curiosity, a llama walks toward a marauding predator - can increase their vulnerability. Also be aware that the llamas may spit at you.

Management practices

Health of flock
Healthy sheep tend to be less susceptible to predation. So, if ewes are in good condition they will generally produce stronger lambs. This may decrease predation, as orphaned and otherwise abnormal lambs are likely to be initial victims of predation.

Recordkeeping
Knowing how many sheep you have in a particular pasture helps to quickly determine when losses begin. Keeping track of losses can be very beneficial in eventual control or removal of the problem predator. They can help identify loss patterns, or high risk pastures.

Season and location of lambing
Highest predation typically occurs from late spring through September-October due to high feed requirements of raising the predators young and the fact that the sheep are on pasture during this time. Lambs born on pasture are more likely to be at high risk to predation than older lambs or mature sheep. On the other hand, winter born lambs, raised indoors and hand fed may be as much at risk since they are not as alert or suspicious of humans or strange animals as those born on pasture are.

Corrals and night confinement
Although this may be a practical option for small flocks, or flocks of dry ewes that lambed during the winter, it is not a feasible option for large, commercial flocks that have young lambs with them on pasture.

Deadstock disposal
An Alberta study indicated that predator losses on farms where deadstock were promptly removed and disposed of were lower than on farms where deadstock were left about.

Human presence
Frequent checking of flocks can discourage predation from the beginning. As well, periodic changing of when the flock is checked can deter coyotes from attempting kills.

Novelties
Things like bells on a number of sheep in the flock; aluminum pie plates hung around the perimeter of the pasture, playing the radio, etc. can discourage coyotes from preying on flocks. Anything that causes an irregular sound or reflection can be effective. Again, these sorts of things may be suitable to some producers and not others. Each individual situation must be assessed as to what is most suitable.

What to do if you have a predator problem?

Contact your local Manitoba Conservation office. You may eliminate predators in defense of your property on lands that you legally occupy with livestock without a special permit, or authorize someone else in writing to do so (a licensed trapper is recommended). Live traps may be used, but you should consult Manitoba Conservation and the Manitoba Trapping Guide for which traps you may use. Actions taken must be in a safe and appropriate manner, as prescribed by provincial (see the latest Manitoba Hunting Guide and Trapping Guide), federal and municipal laws. Carcasses must be reported to Manitoba Conservation within 10 days and disposed of in a manner acceptable to provincial, federal and municipal laws. If you are taking problem coyotes, during a Big Game hunting season or a trapping season, it is particularly important that you notify the nearest Manitoba Conservation office beforehand.

Lithium chloride may be used in aversive conditioning baits. Ingesting it will cause the predator to experience short-term, acute digestive discomfort and vomiting. It is neither a poison nor a repellant and has no long-term physical effects on the species that consumes it. However, lithium chloride is effective at persuading a would-be predator to revert to other food sources. Specifically designed, sheep-like bait or laced carcasses are used to make sure the predator makes the physchological connection between the effects of the taste-aversion bait and the species being protected. More information and instructions for using lithium chloride can be found in the Manitoba Agriculture and Food factsheet entitled, "Aversive Conditioning of Sheep Predators."

Compensation

Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, losses due to predators do occur. There is a livestock predation compensation program operated by Manitoba Crop Insurance Corporation. The program compensates producers for livestock killed or injured by bears, cougars, wolves, foxes and coyotes. It does not compensate for livestock killed or injured by domestic dogs. Claims must be filed within 72 hours of discovering that an attack has occurred and the Crop Insurance adjuster will inspect the carcass or injury as soon as possible. For further information on this program contact the Manitoba Crop Insurance Corporation.

For further information on predator control, contact . . .

Your local Manitoba Conservation or Manitoba Agriculture and Food office. A listing of Manitoba Conservation offices can be found on their website.

This fact sheet was prepared by:
 

Heather Martins

Manitoba Sheep Industry Initiative (administered by the Manitoba Sheep Association Inc. in cooperation with Manitoba Agriculture and Food)

Funding for this fact sheet was provided by: