Читать книгу Raising Goats For Dummies - Cheryl K. Smith - Страница 110

Donkeys have been used for hundreds of years to guard sheep and other herd animals. They’re very intelligent and have good hearing and eyesight. They work better alone and don’t like dogs, so they can’t work as a team with an LGD. Donkeys’ dislike of dogs also makes them effective against coyotes (which aren’t dogs, but look like them). Miniature donkeys are also not good candidates, because they’re small enough to need protection of predators themselves.

Because donkeys are naturally herd animals, if they’re bonded to the goats they can be counted on to stay with them most of the time. Ideally, you get a guardian donkey at birth or as soon as it’s weaned to make sure it bonds with the goats. Because they eat the same food as the goats, donkeys also will want to stay with the herd after they realize that’s where the food is.

When a guardian donkey becomes aware of a predator, she situates herself between the intruder and the herd and brays loudly. If the animal doesn’t leave, she chases it, and if that doesn’t work, she attacks by rearing up on her hind legs and coming down on the predator with her front feet.

Intact jacks (male donkeys) are too aggressive to be effective guardian animals, and so you need to get a gelded (neutered) jack or a jenny (female) if you want to use a donkey as a guardian. You’ll also be better off finding one that has been bred as a guardian. Donkeys not raised with goats or other livestock may be aggressive toward your goats, especially at feeding time. If you get one that wasn’t previously bonded to goats, be sure to introduce her slowly and supervise them closely for several weeks. When you purchase a guardian donkey ask for an agreement to exchange the animal if it doesn’t work out.