507 Final - Predation

How to identify a coyote attack

Bite the throat

Leave carcass at/near kill site

Consume flanks, behind the ribs, viscera such as liver, heart ,and lungs (Basically eat everything)

How to identify a Dog attack

Ripped flanks, hindquarters, and head

Play behavior - more of a game than a meal so will mangle sheep and leave it alive

Indiscriminate killers

How to identify a Bear attack

Prefer meat to viscera; will consume entire carcass if time

Will eat udder first

How to identify a Mountain Lion attack

Grab from top of head and drag their kill to an isolated area to eat

Might not even see evidence of lost animal besides the abandoned struggle spot

Will cover remaining carcass with soil

Fox, bobcat, lynx attacks

Smaller so more likely to attack smaller animals like lambs

Same consumption pattern as coyotes, just on smaller animals 

Bobcats and lynxes will also cover carcass w/soil like other felines

How to identify an Eagle attack

Skin out the carcass

Leave skeleton intact on adult prey

Bite and swallow ribs on lambs

Leave puncture wounds

Will see whitewash dropping where the eagle fed (poop)

In general, what are predators most active

At night

Summer - less humans around and have own offspring to start feeding

Fall - young predators growing up and dispersing from home range to establish own territories

Flock behavioral changes that indicate predation is occuring:

More alert, nervous, fearful, scattered when usually grouped together

Signs of struggle include:

Scrapes on the animal

Drag marks on the ground

Broken vegetation

Blood in various places

What are the 2 categories of hunting dogs that can be used to combat predation?

Trailhounds - follow the scent and run the animal but will not kill it

Ex: Walkers, Julys, Redbone, Bluetick, Black and Tan, Plott, and English

Sighthounds will run down coyote and kill it (tend to use in conjunction w/trailhound)

Ex: Greyhounds and Russian wolfhounds

What are 4 hunting alternatives (banned in many states)

Trapping

Snares

Sodium Cyanide in M-44

1080 Livestock Protection collars

Elaborate on how the following can be used as Predator Prevention:

Bells

Nice coyote family

Propane exploders

Strobe lights/sirens

Net wire fencing

Electric fencing

Bells - No difference between herds with or without bells BUT none of the sheep or goats that were killed had bells

Keep nice family of coyotes around - If you have a fam near by thats not harming ur flock, its actually better to leave them be; Territorial so “bad” family wont come in while they’re there

Propane exploders - Spark ignites a small amount of propane every 8-10min (like gun shots) ; Should be temporary; Can stress out the herd + possible fire risk

Strobe lights and sirens - Reduce predation by 89%

Net wire fencing - Horizontal spacing should be < 6in ; Vertical spacing should be <2-4in ; Total fence should be > 5.5ft w/charged wire at top/overhand + barded/apron wire at base 

Electric fencing - 13 strands fro complete protection

Guard dogs as Predator Prevention

Great Pyrenees, Komondor, Anatolian Shepherd, Abash

Must be reared w/flock from puppyhood to bond

No training required except correction of undesired behaviors (ear chewing, overplay fullness, wandering)

Begin 6-8 weeks of age w/lambs/goat kids - get everyone used to each other

Might not be ready until 2yrs

If two dogs used, don’t raise together or will bond more with each other than the livestock

Donkeys as Predator Prevention

Generally friendly to people; dislike dogs

Protect by braying, bared teeth, kicking, biting, or running attack 

Just don’t use an intact jack- too aggressive

Use one per flock; start at 6-8 weeks for bonding

Remove during lambing for safety

Only for open pastures

Llamas as Predator Prevention

Also naturally aggressive towards canids (dogs)

Protect via: Sounding a shrill alarm call, spit, herd their flock away from threat, chase, or kick

Calm temperament towards humans

Raise alone/with herd

Can become prey to groups of coyotes/dogs/wolves but deal with a single fine 

Require copper in diet which sheep can be sensitive to

Cattle as Predator Prevention

Mixed group of cattle and sheep = “flerd”

Cattle are naturally protective of the sheep but can have problems with/bonding