guard donkeys

does anybody use them?  specifically to run with cattle/protect calves?  i know sheep and goat people use them alot, but was wondering how they would do with cattle? 

Been running a lama and donkeys. Ran a gelding jack for awhile  when needed until he took a lighting hit
last summer.Was fighting with yotess for almost 2 years. Last winter it was all out war You could tell what went on during
the night by how the cows acted when checked or fed.Bought two smaller Jenny's last fall off the trailer
at the sale barn before he could unload them. The Jenny's are vocal and that helps keep the yotes
at bay to stay out of their herd.

We have a guard/calf-breaking donkey.  Got him about 3 years ago in the fall as a yearling, and the first calving season he was out there he wanted to stomp the newborns, so we had to separate him from the cows.  After the calves were a couple days old, he didn't bother them.  He was perfectly fine with them the next calving season, I think being out all summer in the pasture with the cows and calves helped a lot.  He's not real vocal if something comes into the pasture, but he did chase and almost get 2 german shepherds that came into the pasture uninvited.  He will occasionally go after our cattle dogs when they are out working cattle, he must think the dogs are doing something bad when they're rounding the cows up.

We used to see coyotes crossing through our pasture regularly.  A few years ago we got a jenny donkey for breaking calves.  She a a jack baby who has since been gelded.  They run with the cows when they are not working at the show barn. We haven't seen any coyotes any wears close to the pasture whith the donkeys in it.  Wouldn't go with out, especially with what calves are worth these days.  Doesn't cost much to let a donkey run.

Ron
<cowboy>

Donkeys are great for predator control but........ just watch out if you have small children aaround....... our neice was out at the farm here with her Dad one time and we were out in the corral.... she opened the gate and started walking towards us ( she was 4 at the time) we were watching her boogying arcross the pen and...... all of a sudden I looked over at the donkey and he started trotting towards her with his ears back and his mouth open showing off his pearly whites......  We run over and scooped her up and put her in the bale feeder before that donkey got a hold of her.......the donkey didn"t know what that bundled up little thing was coming into the corral and he was just doing his job to protect!!! Thank God we had seen her come in and got her before he did!!! Beware!!

The way I understand it Jenny's are not as rough as jack or geldings

well, ive got a dog problem and i cant baby sit the calves 24/7...i caught a pack of 4 chasing 2 of my calves the other day, course by the time i saw them, they saw me, and i got the gun out, they were gone...not even sure i could have shot them on the run...but anyway, gonna have to do something! 

I have sold many donkeys over the years, some for halter breaking and some as gaurd donkeys. I think I can say that all of themwork to some extent, some are just better than others. Most people prefer jennies over jacks or geldings. Some of the males can be too agressive. It is more likely that a lone guard donkey will work better than a pair. A lone donkey is more likely to bond with a herd, be it sheep, goats or cattle. No donkey will let dogs or coyotes near their herd. If you need one, contact me, and if I don't have what you need, I may be able to help you find one. Earl

Has anyone ever used the mini donkeys? i have a friend where i could get some and was wondering if they work?

I brought this topic back up to ask a question as I found this topic by searching. I would like to look into buying a donkey for breaking calves but also as a guard donkey. I have asked Olsun about this and wanted to see what other people think. I think my cows do a fine job defending there calves against coyotes cause we have not had any calves killed by coyotes. But we have lost several calves including one this spring to Mountain Lions which was confirmed by our game and fish department and have seen plenty of lion tracks in snow on our ranch and picks of lions on our deer camera systems. The question is will a Donkey defend a calf against a lion or will it run off? I would like to solve this problem if possible with what calf prices are bringing especially with my calves being club calves. I would like a jenny donkey as they are more gentle to break the calves, just don't know if they are aggressive enough to go after a lion, but don't know if a jack would either or if they would just be the next piece of your livestock to get killed. Big difference between a coyote and a mountain lion in size and strength plus killing power. I knew there was things I liked about Missouri when I lived there, less predators that will kill your livestock. We got coyotes, wild dogs, mountain lions and now wolves are coming into our area, next will be the grizzly bears. Any one with experience raising donkeys or using donkeys, please give your opinion, thanks for the responses.

linnettejane said:

well, ive got a dog problem and i cant baby sit the calves 24/7...i caught a pack of 4 chasing 2 of my calves the other day, course by the time i saw them, they saw me, and i got the gun out, they were gone...not even sure i could have shot them on the run...but anyway, gonna have to do something! 

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I think you should get the donkey!  I see a video in the near future directed by your daughter " how to halter and care for your donkey".

Anatolian Shepards. After reading how well they have done for others, I am getting a pair. Coyotes and ferrell dogs run rampant around me and Im tired of farting around with them. These dogs are big and are very protective of your herd. Google them. Amazing dogs

We have donkeys to protect our horses from the coyotes when they have young ones.

Bain Simmental said:

Has anyone ever used the mini donkeys? i have a friend where i could get some and was wondering if they work?

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yes we tried one out this summer for free.. wasn't all that bad, but was about the same size as our sheep.  Spent the first month in denial.. but finally bonded quite well.  No problems though

trevorgreycattleco said:

Anatolian Shepards. After reading how well they have done for others, I am getting a pair. Coyotes and ferrell dogs run rampant around me and Im tired of farting around with them. These dogs are big and are very protective of your herd. Google them. Amazing dogs

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agree 100%... This is my ideal dog as well, and ours smokes any GP that's ever been born.. I've seen ours run 40 mph, and have witnessed her mother take down a single coyote.. and tangle with a group of about 3...  They are tough SOBs.