Table Of ContentHistoric, Archive Document
Do not assume content reflects current
scientific knowledge, policies, or practices.
I CL
A
United States Producers Guide to Preventing
Departmentof
Agriculture
Animaland Predation of Livestock
Plant Health
Inspection
Service
Agriculture
Information
Bulletin No. 650
'
!
Cover: APHIS photo by Laurie Smith.
IssuedJuly 1992
Mission introduction
The mission ofthe Animal Damage Livestock husbandry practices and however, additional assistance can be
Control (ADC) program is to provide other managementtechniques can help provided bythe U.S. Department of
leadership in the science and practice of prevent or reduce predation by coyotes, Agriculture’s (USDA) ADC program,
wildlife damage control to protect dogs, foxes, bears, bobcats, and which is part ofthe Animal and Plant
America’s agricultural, industrial, and mountain lions. Sheep and goats are Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
natural resources and to safeguard considered most vulnerable to preda- ADC employs professional wildlife
public health and safety. The ADC tors, although poultry, cattle, hogs, biologists and technicians who have
program has cooperative agreements horses, and exotic game animals are expertise in handling predation prob-
with Federal, State, and county agen- often subjectto predation in many areas lems. In addition, the Cooperative
cies, and othercooperators and uses an of North America. This pamphletdeals Extension Service at many universities
integrated management method to carry primarily with protecting sheep and has livestock specialists orwildlife
outthis mission. goats, butthe information in it can be damage specialists who can offer
applied to other livestock as well. advice. These specialists and county
Livestock husbandry practices are Extension agents provide technical
implemented by the livestock producer; advice and support on management of
livestock in the majority of U.S. counties.
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Identifying Predation and the
Predator Species
Livestock die from various causes.
Accurately determining the cause of
death is sometimes difficult, but is
important for implementing appropriate
actions to minimize loss. Producers can
sometimes determine the cause of
death by examining livestock carcasses
and the area around the death site.
Sometimes expert assistance from a
veterinarian, Extension specialist, or
ADC specialist is necessary to assess
the situation accurately. Indecisive
action in detecting loss, identifying the
cause, and correcting the problem
often leads to an additional loss of
animals, especially when predators are
responsible.
An important first step is to observe
the flock and count animals periodically.
Livestockthat have been repeatedly
attacked by predators are more alert
and nervous, display uncharacteristic
fear, and may be scattered. Casual
observation alone is often insufficient to
detect whether predation has occurred.
Lambs can be carried away from the
area by predators. In these instances,
the absence of an animal may be the
only evidence that predation has taken ADC employeesworkwith other Federal, State, and local officialstodeterminethe
particularwildlife species responsibleforpredation. APHISphotobyGuy Connolly.
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A studyby USDA's NationalAgricultural Statistics Service indicatedthat
predatorscaused lossesworth an estimated $27.4 million to sheepand goat
producers in 1990. APHIS photo byGuy Connolly.
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place. Vegetation and topography may usually found on the top ofthe head, behind the ribs. Mountain lions often
hide a dead animal or a kill site from neck, or back. Bruises become less cover a carcass with debris after feeding
anything less than athorough search. reliable with increased age ofthe on it. Bears generally prefer meatto
The mere presence of predator carcass and with scanty orscattered organs but may eat the udderfrom
tracks ordroppings near a carcass is not remains. lactating ewes before consuming their
sufficient evidence that predation has Coyotestypically attack sheep and flesh. Eagles skin carcasses and leave
taken place, because many predator goats at the throat, whereas dogs much ofthe skeleton intact on larger
species scavenge on livestock car- frequently are indiscriminate in how and animals. With lambs, eagles may bite
casses. Other evidence around the site where they attack. Dogs occasionally off and swallowthe ribs. Feathers and
and on the carcass must be carefully attack sheep and goats the way coyotes droppings are usually present where an
examined. Signs of a struggle, scrapes do, and young or inexperienced coyotes eagle has fed.
or drag marks on the ground, broken may attack any part ofthe body as dogs Accurate determination ofthe
vegetation, or blood scattered around would. Distinguishing between dog and occurrence of predation and identifica-
the site may indicate predation. Live- coyote attacks is difficultwithout also tion of the responsible species require
stock remains found at a kill site vary looking at the size and shape oftracks. knowledge and experience. Evidence
greatly depending on how recently the Generally, the results of adog attack must be gathered, pieced together, and
kill was made, the weather, the size of are ripped skin and muscles in the flank, evaluated according to predators found
the animal killed, and the number and hindquarters, and head. Small preda- in the area, time ofday, season, and
species of predators that fed on the tors, such as coyotes, foxes, and othervariables. Sometimes, even
animal. eagles, often select lambs over adult experts cannot absolutely confirm the
One key in determining how a sheep. cause of death, and it may be necessary
sheep was killed is the presence or Predators such as coyotes, dogs, to rely upon circumstantial information.
absence of bruises underthe skin atthe bears, and mountain lions may kill more For more information to identify
attack point. Bites to a dead animal will than one animal in a single attack predators, contact your local wildlife
not produce hemorrhage, but bites to a episode, but often the predator feeds on conservation officer, USDA Extension
live animal will. If enough ofthe carcass only one ofthe animals. Each predator Service office, orAPHIS ADC office.
is available, carefully skinning out the has a method and pattern of killing and
neck and head will allow observation of feeding that may aid in identifying it.
tooth punctures and bruises around Coyotes, foxes, mountain lions, and
those punctures. Talon punctures from bobcats usually feed on the viscera and
large birds of prey will also cause organs such asthe liver, heart, and
hemorrhage in a live animal and are lungs before feeding atthe flanks or
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Minimizing Predation
Livestock management practices and kidding in sheds will usually prevent there are no data to firmly establish the
and predator control methods can predation and also reduce newborn merits ofthis approach. Bells might be
effectively reduce livestock losses. losses due to inclement weather. useful in locating sheep or for alerting
Each technique has advantages; some Because oftheir size and lack of the producerto disturbances in the
practices are suitable for individual strength, young livestock are especially flock.
producers while others may not be vulnerable to predators during spring Trucking, ratherthan trailing, sheep
practical. It is importantto evaluate all and summer. Altering spring calving, to distant pastures may be wise in
information and practices carefully since lambing, and kidding seasons may situations when trailing would bring
every situation is unique and different reduce losses of young animalsto sheep into areas where predators are
methods may be required. predators. Presence of a herdercan more abundant. In addition, the use of
also help reduce predation. herding dogs to manage sheep may
Livestock Husbandry Producers can avoid using pastures discourage some predators from
—
Total confinement —not allowing with a history of predation. Pastures approaching the flock. Likewise, farm
livestock out on pasture may prevent closerto buildings and human activity dogs may also deter predators.
predation, butthis practice is not can be safer for young livestock.
feasible for most producers. However, Pastures with rough topography or Fences
penning livestock at night is sometimes dense vegetation borders tend to Excluding coyotes by fencing,
practical to reduce lossesto predators. provide predators with advantageous especially in large areas, is very difficult.
Lighting the corral at night may frighten cover. Some coyotes learn to dig deeper or
some predators away, while providing Removing livestock and poultry climb higherto defeat a fence. Never-
producersthe additional benefit of being carcasses by burying, incinerating, or theless, recent improvements in
able to see predators that come into the rendering so predators cannot feed on equipment and design have made
pen. However, the lights may attract them may reduce predator activity in fencing an effective and economically
roaming dogs to the stock. Livestock certain instances. This practice may be practical method for protecting sheep
quickly adaptto lights and are not practical only where groups of small from predation under some grazing
adversely affected. operators can cooperate to maintain a conditions.
The factthat spring lambing carcass-free area large enough to be Net-wire fences in good repairwill
coincides with coyote birthing can lead effective. deter many coyotes from entering a
to high predation because coyotes need Some producers put bells on their pasture. Openings in the mesh should
to feed their pups. Lambing, calving, sheep to discourage predators, although measure lessthan 6 inches high and
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lessthan 4 inches across. Barbed wire animals’ jumping over. Climbing can Fencing is more effective when
at ground level ora buried wire apron, usually be prevented by adding a incorporated with other means of
an expensive option, will discourage charged wire at the top of the fence or predation control. For example,
digging underthe fence. The fence installing awire overhang. guarding dogs (discussed later) and
should be about 5.5 feet high to hinder Electric fencing is an effective fencing have been used togetherto
method for protecting livestock from achieve a greaterdegree of success
predation. Today’s electric fence than either method used alone. Fencing
chargers have high output (5,000 volts can also be used to concentrate
or more), are resistant to grounding, predator activity at specific places, such
present a minimal fire hazard, and are as gateways, ravines, orotherareas
generally safe for livestock and humans. where the predators try to gain access.
The fences are usually constructed of Traps and snares can often be set at
smooth wire stretched to a tension of up strategic places along a fence to capture
to several hundred pounds. Fence predators effectively. Where practical,
designs incorporate various strand fencing is one ofthe most beneficial
patterns and electrification configura- investments in predator damage control
tions (all charged or alternately charged and livestock management.
wires). Because predator exclusion fences
The success of varioustypes of may restrict movement of otherwild
fencing in excluding predators ranges species, particularly large game
from zero to 100 percent. Density and animals, Federal or State regulations
behavior of coyotes, terrain and may prohibit construction ofeffective
vegetative conditions, availability of fences in some areas.
prey, size of pastures, season ofthe For more information on fencing,
year, design of the fence, quality of contact your local county Extension
construction, maintenance, and other office.
factors interplay in determining how
effective afence will be. Fencing is Guarding Animals
most likelyto be cost effective when the A growing number of livestock
This 12-strandfencewith alternatecharged potential for predation is high, where producers are using guarding animals
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electrified.
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