by Quentin Morris

Created on: November 23, 2008

How to prevent dogs from attacking livestock animals

As a homesteader, one of the most persistent and upsetting problems you will face is attacks on your livestock by a variety of wild animals, from birds of prey taking young chicks, to foxes getting into hen houses. However one of the worst culprits of livestock attacks is man's best friend, the domestic dog. The homesteader is in a constant battle of wits with local canines, but there are many steps you can take to keep your livestock animals safe.

Dog training

Prevention starts at home, with your own dog. Dogs have a strong sense of territory and tend to respect animals which they regard as theirs'. However there is always the risk that your dog could take exception to new animals or get carried away in the frenzy of the moment. It is therefore worth thinking seriously about which breed of dog you will keep. Go for working dogs with a herding instinct, such as collies or sheep dogs rather than hunting dogs which have more of an attacking instinct. Although herding dogs may irritate you animals by constantly trying to round them up, they are much less likely to hurt them.

However, any dog can turn aggressive so it is important to train your dog well. Take it to obedience classes or train it to understand herding commands. This way your dog will respect you as boss' and you will be able to keep it under control when in contact with your livestock and the livestock of others. Having a dog on your land will also discourage other dogs from worrying your animals. Make sure you close you dog up at night, either in a kennel or in your house, to prevent it straying.

Housing and fencing

Attacks on your livestock are much more likely to come from other dogs however. These fall into two categories; wild or feral dogs of no fixed abode and dogs from nearby properties. Both are a nuisance, but they can be dealt with in different ways. Remember that prevention is better than cure and that there are many step that you can take to stop dogs getting to your stock in the first place.

With smaller animals, such as chickens or geese, make sure that they have suitable housing which can protect them from pests. If they are free-range, make sure that you close them up at night. These smaller animals are easy prey for a dog or fox and will attract them onto your land. Larger animals can also be kept in at night if possible. Attacks are much more likely during the hours of darkness when there is no human activity to ward off predators.

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