How to raise Backyard Chickens: Re: [CHICKENS-101] Re: Marlene--Livestock Guard Dogs

I have a llama. He is basically our male alpacas' "Uncle Moose". He isn't so much protective as he is an alarm and he WILL sound when he sees a dog he doesn't recognize. He will also referee our males when they fight. He would not be enough to dter the most common predators around here.....STRAY DOGS! I know several farms that have suffered severe losses to neighbors pet dogs and strays. Most attacks were by two dogs teaming up and all involved at least one Pit bull. The other dog was a boxer and in one Cass, both were pits. 12 alpacas were killed and two were severely injured and euthanized.
In every case in two dogs, I don't think a llama would have prevented the attacks and may very well have fallen victim. For that reason, we don't rely on our llama and DO rely on our Pyrs.
Laura

On Jul 25, 2013 3:21 PM, "CathrynTherese" <cathryntherese@yahoo.com> wrote:

https://www.addl.purdue.edu/newsletters/1996/summer/llamas.shtml
I know of a farm that bought llamas and the worm they carried in killed many of their poultry, and their emu. I'd skip llamas, get a LGD and keep the dog dewormed. A LGD is going to keep away coons, opossums, mink, and other small 4 legged varmints that llamas probably wouldn't.

Cathryn rainbowsilkiesTM in Michigan

From: Linda <zoostuffs@gmail.com>
To: CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, July 25, 2013 4:35 AM
Subject: Re: [CHICKENS-101] Re: Marlene--Livestock Guard Dogs

I beg to differ...

Llamas make fierce guard animals and they defend their territory and
charges as well as a dog -- perhaps even better. (I hope it's not
blasphemous to say such a thing here.) Llamas patrol the fence line,
herd their charges to safety, stand between the preditor and the flock.
Even attacking the predator if need be. Part of the reason that llamas
are good is that they are very territorial and have an intense dislike
of canines (dogs, coyote, fox) and they are good at repelling them.
Maybe a bear would overcome a llama but not a fox. The llama has plenty
of size to deter predators too. They need to be trained as such, but
they are definitely effective guard animals. Perhaps they aren't used
with chickens, but they are used with other animals (i.e., goats and sheep).