Keeping your Goats Safe--from Predators.

It is a very startling awakening when you go out to check your goats and one is missing and you find it or what is left of it after some other animal made it their dinner. It is sad, frustrating and you might feel like you let your goats down by not protecting them. Here are some ideas to help keep your goats safe from predators. Not everything listed is really an option for everyone, because everyone is in a different situation.

It also helps to know what predators you are against in your area. That way you will know what precautions you should be more focused on. Coyotes are probably the most common predator at least around us in Pennsylvania. Foxes, bobcats, vultures, and raccoons might not go after a full grown goat, but baby goats are just the right size for them.

Keep goats close to your house

Our goats are in pastures close by houses and we have an electric wire on the top of the fence. So far we have not lost any goats to predators but there is always that possibility. Sometimes when we hear coyotes close by at night we will turn lights on at the shed and porch. Pastures close to houses or other places that you are at a lot and making noise will feel more threating to predators, and they should stay away. Now if there is a food shortage they may take the risk to get food, your goats.

Noise

As stated above places where you make a lot of noise are less likely for predators to hang around. Put out a battery operated radio in your field and turn on some music or talking. The neighbors might not like it or they might think you are crazy, but if it works, it works. Wind chimes are another great noise deterrent. Well, only if it is windy!

Tall Electric Fence

This will keep your goats in and predators out. At least it should! Goats always seem to find a way to escape. Predators like easy food. So, make it hard for them to get your animals.

Shoot Them

The predators not your goats. :) You could also try trapping them if you do not have the time to hunt them or have a safe way/direction to shoot them. Just make sure your animals can't get into the traps.

Lock your goats in the barn at night

This can be time consuming and frustrating if your pastures are far way and your goats do not follow you very well. But this is probably that safest for your goats if you have a bad problem with predators.

Guard Animal

We do not have any experience with this, but have seen others that have livestock guard dogs that live with their goats and protect them. It is very interesting to see these dogs in action. There are other animals that you can use as guard animals, if they are trained correctly and raised with the animals they are to protect. Llamas, donkeys (female are better), and alpacas are a few that can be used.

What do you do to protect your goats from predators? Leave a comment below maybe it will help someone else out.