mule's

[country friend]

Questions ?? I know folks say donkey's make good guardian animals for live stock . I have a team of mule's are they good to keep with goats and protect them like the donkey's do??
Thanks for any help given on this . Country Friend Jack

[country friend]

DO YOU HAVE TO POST evert day to get any replies??
Country Friend Jack

[Topaz Farm]

I have heard, note that I said *heard*. Mules will guard, they will go after coyotes but not dogs. Maybe strange dogs. That is just what I have *heard*, don't have any practical experience in the matter.

[Beaners]

...it could be that no one that saw this yesterday knew the answer to your question.

I don't know.

Kayleigh

[gracie88]

Do yours like goats? Some donkeys attack goats.

[GrannieD]

Originally Posted by country friend

Questions ?? I know folks say donkey's make good guardian animals for live stock . I have a team of mule's are they good to keep with goats and protect them like the donkey's do??
Thanks for any help given on this . Country Friend Jack

Jack ~ Goats being smaller are in peril should you find you made a mistake to put them together..part of a mules or donkeys behavior is the entertainment value of being at the top of the pecking order...part is guarding the territory..not all do damage to goats, but why take the chance..My donkeys have my dogs & cat "trained" to stay away from them & I'd not trust them with the goats..the mules I've had were no worse with the goats than the horses are with an occasional nip..usually related to food..if goats can get away you might try it & watch them..the 2 mules will be better than one alone...Good luck..GrannieD

[Windy in Kansas]

I just looked at the members list which shows 5537 registered users.

Why not do a poll and see how many of those 5537 have mules.
Do another poll to see how many of those with with mules read this forum on a daily basis.

My guess is the reason you didn't receive a quicker response is that of low membership number that are mule owners.

[The Paw]

Originally Posted by Windy in Kansas

I just looked at the members list which shows 5537 registered users.

Why not do a poll and see how many of those 5537 have mules.
Do another poll to see how many of those with with mules read this forum on a daily basis.

My guess is the reason you didn't receive a quicker response is that of low membership number that are mule owners.

you would get a quicker response in the Equine section.

[CIW]

Not everyone sets on this forum all day, every day.
We've been raising mules and Jack Stock for quite a while now. Up until recently have had sheep also.
I would say the size of the enclosure is a large factor. Out in a large field the sheep can certainly hold their own against a mule. In a small dry lot the odds change and the sheep or goats have a considerably less chance of survival.
I would assume from your post that the mules haven't been raised with sheep and goats around, which is also a large factor to consider.
Another thing is the sex of the mule. John mules are considerablly more territorial than a molly mule. Also that fact that you have 2 can make it tougher.
Something you can do, is build a cross fence that the goats can easily get under but the mules can't. Not just a small opening but the whole fence.
Feed the goats in the far side of that area, away from the mules. Feed the mules right next to where the goats can get under. Over about 60 days slowly move where you feed the goats. Eventually you will acclimate both kiinds of animals. This isn't fool proof, but is a way you can test the waters to see if the mules will tolerate the goats.

[country friend]

For now I have mules and goats in pens next to each other in barn getting used to each other . They seem ok this way . I have 32 ac. of pasture that they will share with four cows . The mules have been with cows before no promblem. My concern is will the mules keep the coyotees from getting my goats . The goats are large goats boer's .
I am sorry if my spelling is off I do not know how to use the spell check
Thanks for the help so far . I just do not want to put goats out there if the coyottes would get them.

[Maura]

Donkeys hate dogs. They will learn to tolerate the family dogs, but otherwise may go after them. They will go after coyotes, I have a friend who uses donkeys to protect the sheep. I imagine a mule will behave the same way. As for protecting sheep or goats, they need to be socialized to them so that they consider the goats to be part of the herd, or a subset of the herd. If your mules have not been raised with goats they may never accept them. You could put a couple of goats in with your mules for just a short while each day while you watch.

[EDDIE BUCK]

LOL Can't help but think about that Watch Bear on Sanford and Son. Guess this will be Watch Mules. Eddie