Donkeys as a Predator Control

When you have a flock of sheep that needs to be protected, donkeys may seem an unlikely guardian at first glance, but they have proven themselves against predators again and again. Donkeys that have been raised with livestock will see them as flockmates and defend them from predators, according to the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

  1. Function

    • A donkey that has adopted a flock of livestock as its herdmates will protect them from predators. The donkey is inherently aggressive towards canines such as dogs and coyotes. When the donkey hears or sees a disturbance in the flock, it will investigate and confront the predator, putting itself between the livestock and the aggressive animal. A donkey uses its size and its braying to intimidate predators, and where that does not work, its powerful kicks can injure or even kill attacking animals.

    Advantages

    • Donkeys that are bonded to their flocks will protect it from all predators. Donkeys are tougher than llamas, which have soft feet and weak bites. Donkeys eat the same food that cows and sheep eat and they are less expensive to purchase and maintain than other guardian animals. They live with the flock, and provide around-the-clock protection.

    Size

    • The size of a donkey affects its effectiveness as a guardian animal. Miniature donkeys, which are less than 36 inches at the withers, are too small to fend off all predators, and although large donkeys that are more than 54 inches at the withers are intimidating, they can be more difficult to handle. Donkeys that are intended for guarding livestock should be at least 44 inches high at the withers.

    Considerations

    • It is important to select the right donkey to guard livestock, as they are not all equally adept. A female donkey, known as a jenny, and her adult daughter are ideal partners when it comes to guarding livestock, as they are naturally bonded to each other and will protect the herd together. Jennies are also capable of defending a herd on their own.

      Geldings are known for their even temperament, but intact males, known as jacks, can be overly aggressive toward livestock, pets and humans. That makes jacks less preferable for guarding livestock than jennies or geldings.

    Warning

    • Donkeys are known to be aggressive toward all canines, so make sure that farm dogs or pet dogs from neighboring homes do not get too close to the livestock. Some donkeys will also become over-protective and may perceive newborn calves and lambs as a threat---that can lead to lambs or calves being killed or injured by the donkey.