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Northern Girl
49 Posts |
 Posted - 08/26/2012 : 09:14:18 AM
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I am just wondering what people are using to protect your Alpaca herd from predators? I need to do something (lots of Coyotes) and would love to hear what you all are doing.
Thanks
Suz
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jolee
282 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2012 : 10:43:43 AM
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Hi, We have a lot of coyotes here in GA also and we have 3 dogs all part great pry. I don't think we would have made it this summer with out our dogs. Annie is 6 years old and she has been with us all her life and the other two sisters are now 2 years old and we got them at 3 months old. They all know what they are doing. Good luck Jo
ALPACAS4U2C
alpacas4u2c@windstream.net
Lee & Joanne Mansfield
706-745-7344
www.alpacanation.com/alpacas4u2c.asp
90 CJ Calico Ln.
Blairsville, Ga 30512
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Northern Girl
49 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2012 : 1:14:13 PM
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Jo ~ Do your pyrs roam the neighborhood? I have heard from a couple of people that they are great escape artists and that they roam the neighborhood. Just Curious, cause I was really looking at the Great Pyrenees.
Thanks
Suz |
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jillmcm
3175 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2012 : 1:28:24 PM
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Right now I have good fences and a llama - but my coyotes are very well fed and I'm not worried about them. If I had larger predators, livestock guardian dogs or else donkeys in a perimeter pasture would be the way to go.
Jill McElderry-Maxwell
Bag End Suri Alpacas of Maine - ¡BESAME!
Pittsfield, ME
(207) 660-5276 (cell)
bagendsuris@roadrunner.com
http://www.bagendsuris.com
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Judith
3848 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2012 : 5:57:46 PM
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I may find out (about the Pyrs, LOL). I just acquired one from a breeder friend who was culling her from his breeders because she has a very nervous temperament. She's been trained with goats and mini horses, and seems as though she'll do very well with the alpacas, if I can get my alpacas to permit her in with them. However, this gal is so timid around people (sweet, not at all aggressive or fearful - just timid) that she won't come up to anyone, although she does allow me to walk up to her in her run with the collar and lead so we can go for walks. My big fear is that once I have accustomed the alpacas to her and I release her with them, I'll never set hands on her again, and God forbid, if she gets out, nobody'll ever set hands on her unless they tranq her. This will be an interesting (to say the least) experiment.
Judith Korff
AlpacaNation Forum Co-Moderator
LadySong Farm Bolivian Suri Alpacas
Randolph, NY 14772
Cell: (716) 499-0383
www.alpacanation.com/ladysong.asp |
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Northern Girl
49 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2012 : 7:52:20 PM
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That is what I am worried about. Getting out and having to chase him/her around the neighborhood. We live in a heavy farm area so lots of fields to roam. But I guess you take the good with the bad. I found a couple of pups for sale and now I wonder at what age I should be looking at. I like the idea of a pup, but then I don't like the idea of a pup if you know what I mean.....  |
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joeykatp
266 Posts |
Posted - 08/27/2012 : 11:15:18 AM
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I would want a trained pyr that knows how to guard. Many breeders have the pups trained by the adults. They know their territory and want to stay home and guard unless they are in the process of chasing away a predator. I think it's worth it to pay more for the right animals since they are guarding your prized possessions.
I couldn't get dogs since my pasture is directly behind my neighbors' houses. I have llamas since they are quiet. A friend of mine has a pyr that can get into and out of any pasture to make sure the entire complex is under guard. She's amazing!
Good luck,
Kathy Paternoster
Our Father's Farm
New Hampton, NY
(845)374-7712
http://ourfathersfarm.net |
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bobvicki
2846 Posts |
Posted - 08/27/2012 : 12:04:10 PM
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I have 2 great Pyrenees female guard dogs. Both are very good dogs and work together. Both came from guarding parents, one from sheep and one from alpacas, and I got them at about 3 months of age. One is a couple of months older than the other and they came from different states. One would run for miles when she was younger if she got out of the pasture, the other could not be kept in, she would chew through chain link, or climb any fence or gate or dig, but she would not run unless the other one got out. Last year when we moved everything to Oklahoma because of fences there was no way I could keep them fenced in and I figured I would probably have to get rid of them, and they completely surprised me by staying home. Yes they checked out all the neighbors and we no longer hear coyotes howling at night. In fact one of my neighbors said he appreciates that they have apparently driven the coyotes away. Both are people friendly and one would like to be a lap dog. Both sit by my 92 year old dad for hours while he picks the burrs out of their fur. They have on occasion fought each other, usually over food and even drawing blood but 99% of the time are lying by each other during the day.
As puppies they like to play and chew on everything and it did take months for the alpacas to accept them.
We hear them barking all night, but it is not an annoying bark.
I used to wonder how good they really would be facing a threat. I have seen how ferocious they can be and did not doubt their ability to take care of most predators, but what would they actually do to protect the alpacas since I have seen them be very friendly to other friendly dogs! I saw this incident one day and now longer wonder.
One day a very large stray dog came walking up our very long driveway(500+ feet), and both Pyrenees ran to the top of the driveway as if to greet the big stranger, then one of the females ran the opposite way, boy was I disappointed in that action until I saw that she ran to a gate she could crawl under and then she came back to a position inside the pasture placing herself between the alpacas and the fence. As soon as she was in place the other one did exactly the same thing so now both were inside the pasture positioned between the newcomer and the alpacas. As the big newcomer got close to the house I yelled at it and it took off in the opposite direction. Then I rewarded my girls with a couple of big rawhide chew sticks!
Bob
Bob & Vicki Blodgett
Suri Land Alpaca Ranch
10371 N 2210 Road
Clinton, Oklahoma 73601
641-831-3576
alpaca@htswireless.com
www.alpacanation.com/suriland.asp |
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KT
613 Posts |
Posted - 08/27/2012 : 1:07:51 PM
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I used to have a great pyr. I loved him terribly. He came from a GP Rescue, having been raised guarding goats. He took the the 'pacas easily. They do roam though, if allowed out of your area. I live in an area where some folks would not think twice about shooting a dog who is meandering, so that made me very nervous. I also found that he barked A LOT, so if you have neighbors who would fuss, or if you are a really light sleeper, take that into consideration. I know have an 18 month old mixed breed female; 1/4 Maremma and 3/4 Karakachan. The latter is not well known in this country; they are the livestock guard dogs of the Balkans/Eastern Europe. She is fabulous; friendly with people, loves to be made over and vigilant with the alpacas. She does bark but not nearly as incessantly during the night as my GP did. Her coat is not as thick, either, so she has been more comfortable this summer, than poor Abraham was. I also have one llama, but not sure at all if he would actually live up the Guard status.
Happy decision making!
Kate
Beech Springs Alpacas
126 Arthur Majette Rd
Aulander, NC 27805
252-332-5642
252-333-9457 (c) |
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Rock Ridge Alpacas
75 Posts |
Posted - 08/27/2012 : 1:56:13 PM
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Some farms like to use llamas for guards as you probably know.
Be very sure, if you do, that the llama was trained around cria.
Our first born cria was stomped at the age of 10 days by our guard llama, who was supposedly "good with cria". She had obviously never been around one.
His leg was broken and though we had it in a cast eventually it became infected and had to be amputated. He is now 9 yrs.old and though he has ribbon winning fleece can't balance to breed.
He is, though, a great ambassador to visitors!
The llama was returned to the seller!
I'm sure there are llama guards who are fine, but be VERY sure.
Marsha Oliver
Rock Ridge Alpacas
www.rockridgealpacas.com |
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Christiane
2570 Posts |
Posted - 08/27/2012 : 6:16:49 PM
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When my neighbor stopped by to tell me he had seen two coyotes at my driveway gates, I started researching livestock guardians. I asked several alpaca farms what they used, and was given the name of a great Anatolian breeder, who had goats at the time. I contacted her and drove from Ohio to Florida to get my first pup. She was a pain to train--I did everything wrong--but now is the best guardian you could ever want. A couple of years later, I added a male to the mix and they are a great team. He is with the males and she is with the females. Both were socialized as pups, so they are wonderful with farm visitors, but they are impressive in size and their bark goes along with that size. However, they only bark when there is something out there that needs to be chased away, so do not bark constantly without a reason. My neighbors, who are pretty close, love them because they keep the herd of deer out of their prooperties, and we have a herd of about twenty plus deer that live in the woods behind us.
Christiane Rudolf
Tanglewood Farm
19741 Victory Lane
Fayetteville, Ohio 45118
(513) 875-2533 |
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rackapaca
639 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2012 : 10:55:20 PM
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You have lots to chose from and many different opinions here. I have a Gr Pyr/Anatolian Mix. He was a rescue from a ranch with goats and horses. Honestly he has never really adapted to the alpacas. So he is on a tether outside and tells us when there is anything that concerns him from squirrels to wolves. Lots of barking, all the time when he feels the need so you get used to his different barks. Oh, we really don't have neighbors so that isn't a worry. But all in all, would not want to be without him.
Ruthann
Racka Paca Ranch
Kila, MT |
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Brenda Gruwell
13 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2012 : 11:08:47 PM
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In 2009 I lost 7 out of 9 alpacas from 2 stray dogs that attacked. I was in a quandary about what to use as guardians. I had many tell me dogs were wonderful, but needed to be trained as pups with your herd. I wanted immediate resolution and went with standard size donkeys. I've been told they aren't so much guardians as they have a natural hatred for anything canine (including coyotes). I really love our donkeys and they are probably more spoiled than the alpacas. They love attention and always look for a treat in my pocket or for a rub on the nose. They do rule the field, and the alpacas will move out of their way as they walk by, but not without the occaisonal spit action at the donkeys. Another alpaca owner once told me that he had many coyotes in the woods behind his farm, but when he added his donkeys, they moved on to the next farm.
Recently I added 2 llamas and they are working out as well. When I walk my house dog the llamas run over to the fence closest to my dog and let out a shrill sound of alarm. We also added electric wires to the top and bottom of our fence.
If you do consider donkeys, use only jennies or a gelded male. Good Luck with whatever you choose.
Brenda Gruwell
B&B Alpacas
brenda.gruwell@yahoo.com
478-251-5174 |
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Northern Girl
49 Posts |
Posted - 08/31/2012 : 6:25:02 PM
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Once again everyone has been very helpful, Thank You. I am still discussing with my husband what we should do. He wants a donkey and I like the dog or the llama. So I guess we will have to arm wrestle to see who wins.
This is such a great site!! I love it! |
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sylvesterranch
24 Posts |
Posted - 08/31/2012 : 8:53:43 PM
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Hi Suz.....we also have Great Pyrs. They are a sister/brother team (both "fixed"). They have been with the alpacas since they were pups.....they are GREAT guardians of our animals! When they hear the alpaca warning cry, they come running! We have multiple pastures (boys/girls/teenagers/etc.) and we have cut holes in fences so they can access all pastures. We did have a cria go thru one, so I made swinging "doggie doors" out of plastic covered metal mesh....and we've never had a problem since with crias going thru. Also....we can close off the holes if we don't want the dogs in certain pastures. The dogs do bark at night, but because we're out in the country....our neighbors are spaced far enough apart that we have had no complaints. The dogs are awesome with friends and visitors. They do have their own area (stall) that the alpacas can't access...thus giving them their own space and the alpacas can't munch on their food! We tried dog houses with them....with no luck. They prefer big, fluffy hay beds in the winter!!! As pups, we raised corners of the panels in the alpaca stalls with cinder blocks so the dogs could access the aisle way of the barn....where they had food and they slept. We have coyotes and the occasional pack of wild dogs......but have never had any problems with our "gentle giant" guardians! I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the Pyr's!!
Jeannie Sylvester
Sylvester Ranch Alpacas
Burleson, Texas
www.sylvesterranchalpacas.com
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WmChristian
32 Posts |
Posted - 01/15/2013 : 09:32:00 AM
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| I use llamas they eat the same as my alpacas and wont eat you out of house and home. Also they guard well i have 3 for my girls and 3 for my boys. |
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What's the best Guard?
