How to Protect Your Farm Animals From Predators

Protecting farm animals from predators is an ongoing concern.

Natural predators are an ongoing concern for farmers and other rural residents. Tom Tower, owner of One Iron Horse Farm in Dripping Springs, Texas, notes that the problem used to be worse in more remote areas, but no longer. "As cities and residential developments have grown, we have been encroaching on the habitats of predatory animals," says Tower. Other factors can increase predatory activity, such as lack of food and water supply.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Fencing
• Electric fencing
• Guardian animals
• Motion control lighting

1. No-climb or mesh fencing can be a good place to start for protecting farm animals. Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images

   Install high-tensile or galvanized steel fencing. A good fence is your first defense against predatory animals. The higher you can afford to build your fence, the better protection your animals will have. However, standard fencing will not prevent digging animals from going underneath the fence. No-climb or other mesh fences that go all the way to the ground can deter such digging, but you will have to check the tension periodically.

2. Adding electric wires can provide an additional deterrent. Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images

   Install electric wire or fencing. You can try variations on electric fencing, such as installing electric wires at the top and bottom of your fencing, to prevent both jumping and digging. You can also buy electric nets that provide full electric coverage. This type of fencing is also fairly effective at keeping smaller livestock in, such as sheep and goats, which helps protect them against predators, and is also good for poultry pens. Solar batteries are ideal for remote pastures.

3. Regardless of breed, all guarding dogs need to socialize with the animals they are protecting. Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

   Purchase a guarding dog. The United States Department of Agriculture, or USDA, recommends Great Pyrenees and Akbash dogs as appropriate breeds for guarding. However, you will either need to get a mature and experienced dog, or prepare to spend significant time on socialization and training to get the maximum benefit of your dogs. Breed is important but some dogs still develop stronger protecting instincts than others, and not all dogs are successful.

4. Donkeys can provide protection to farm animal herds. Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images

   Get a donkey. Donkeys can protect against smaller predators that are not too aggressive or vicious. They will chase unwelcome animals from their pastures, and they have a very powerful hind-end kick. "Most dogs will turn and run away if they see a donkey coming toward them," notes Tower. He cautions against getting more than one donkey per pasture to prevent bonding with one another and not paying attention to their protection duties.

5. Motion-control lighting can be effective in barns or henhouses. Jupiterimages/BananaStock/Getty Images

   Install motion-control lighting. This option may not be viable in remote areas, but it can offer protection to farm animals in or near barns and your home, such as chickens. Most predatory animals are scared off by lighting, and it may be enough to alert you to their presence so you can take any additional action.

Tips & Warnings

• Check your fencing regularly for loose wires, holes, tension and other weaknesses. Ensure your fencing is appropriate for your livestock; for example, do not use barbed wire fencing for horses.

• Do not set animal traps without checking hunting and trapping laws in your county or state.

References

• Tom Tower, Owner, One Iron Horse Farm, Dripping Springs, Texas
• State of Connecticut Dept of Environmental Protection: Living with Coyotes
• Fast Fence: Electric Nets
• USDA: Livestock Guarding Dogs: Protecting Sheep from Predators

Resources

• Electric Fence.com