Livestock Predation Prevention

Protection Methods

Habitat Modification

Predators, like all wildlife, need shelter and cover to survive. Changing the landscape to reduce the ability of the predator to hide and stalk livestock can help reduce predator efficiency.

Barrier

Fencing

Keeping valued animals behind secure fences is an excellent way to protect them. In general, fences should be high enough to prevent egress of the species you intend to protect and large enough to prevent entry of potential predators.

If protecting pets/livestock against coyotes, the fence should be at least 6 feet higher than the surrounding terrain. A device known as the "coyote roller" can be placed on top of shorter fences to prevent the coyote from gaining a foothold and climbing over. However, the fence should be at least 5 feet high before installing this device.

Fences must also be secure to the ground (better to have them buried in the ground) to prevent coyotes from crawling under the fence.

Chainlink fences, though expensive, can be very effective if tall enough and properly secured to the ground.

Housing

Keep animals indoors or in enclosed areas.

Guard Animals

• Booklet on Using Guard Animals - (PDF) Missouri Dept. of Conservation
• Guidelines for Using Donkeys - Ontario Provincial Document
• Llamas as Livestock Guarding Animals - (PDF) Iowa State University PDF
• Info on Using Donkeys - Texas Dept of Ag.
• Raising and training a livestock guarding dog

Population Control

• Hunting: Check state and local regulations
• Trapping: Check state and local regulations
• Toxicants: Contact Wildlife Services