Ways to Keep Goats From Coyotes

Coyotes pose a serious threat to goats and can be disastrous to a herd if left unchecked. Successful protection of goats from coyotes typically involves a combined approach of several different control methods. Goat owners should strive to monitor, control and manage coyotes in the area rather than eliminating the animals. Killing the number of coyotes needed to protect a herd is not easy or practical and should be avoided if possible.

  1. Fencing

    • Woven wire or electric fencing can deter coyotes from entering your pasture. Woven wire fencing should be at least 7 feet high and buried approximately 1 foot beneath the ground to prevent the coyotes from jumping or digging under the fence. Electric wires can be run around the outside of the fence as an extra deterrent. Fences must be continuously maintained to ensure that holes and breaks do not occur. Coyotes are persistent animals and will find any weak spots in your fencing.

    Pasture Maintenance

    • Pastures should be kept free from carrion and small prey animals such as rabbits and gophers. These tend to attract coyotes to the area and place your goats in harm's way.

      Tall crops, plants and shrubbery should be removed from around the pasture areas as these can provide hiding places for the coyotes. Coyotes prefer to hide and monitor their prey prior to attacking. Removing the hiding places prevents the coyotes from having the opportunity to observe your goats.

    Guard Animals

    • Guard animals such as donkeys, llamas and large breed dogs provide an extra level of security for your goats. Llamas and donkeys are naturally aggressive toward coyotes and dogs and will attack the predator until the animal leaves the pasture. Typical donkey and llama responses include braying or calling; chasing and kicking the coyote; and positioning themselves between the coyote and the goats.

      Coyotes are naturally afraid of larger dogs and certain dog breeds are very effective at protecting goats. The most popular breeds of guard dogs for goats are the Great Pyrenees and Akbash. Additional breeds include the Komondor, Anatolian Shepherd, Shar Planinetz and Maremma. Guard dogs are typically raised with goats or sheep and become part of the herd. The dogs must stay with the herd at all times to be truly effective guard animals.

    Security Systems

    • Motion sensor lights and sirens can frighten coyotes away from your pastures. Coyotes are timid creatures who prefer to hunt under the protection of darkness. Sudden sounds and bright lights will often scare them off and prevent attacks on your goats.