Cows & coyotes

PrettyPaisley · #1 02/27/12, 09:59 PM

Sorry for all the cow questions. I just want to make sure I take really good care of her. <3

We do have coyotes around here though I've only heard them, heard about others having issues with them but have not seen them. We pen the goats up at night but have a stray pygmy someone dropped off who hasn't been bothered by anything - I won't let her in my goat pen because I don't know her history (but I do feed her).

So the question is-our 2 little LGD pups are not big enough to protect anything yet-and the barn is not finished. What do I do to keep the cow safe at night. Is she in danger? She would be fenced in behind lots and lots of goat fencing but I didn't know if coyotes went after 1000# cows.

Callieslamb · #2 02/27/12, 10:02 PM

I don't think they will either. In fact, I think having a large cow in the field helps protect my sheep. I guess it might depend on the cow, but I've had steers that would chase dogs, cats, rabbits - whatever - all around the pasture.

myersfarm · #3 02/27/12, 10:05 PM

Only at calving time. And then not a big risk

**gone-a-milkin** · #4 02/27/12, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myersfarm

Only at calving time. And then not a big risk

Plus you have that pygmy goat to serve as a distraction.

collegeboundgal · #5 02/27/12, 11:33 PM

Any canine stupid enough to take on a momma cow will not live long… the goat on the other hand is fair game…

myersfarm · #6 02/27/12, 11:41 PM

Canine run in packs and take turn if they get hungry enough Wild dogs bother me more than coyotes

myersfarm · #7 02/27/12, 11:53 PM

Not saying they will go after a cow. But a young small calf

collegeboundgal · #8 02/28/12, 12:15 AM

agreed. and if a momma cow does run off and leave her calf to them, she's nothing but freezer meat. but a cow should be able to fend off one dog/coyote. the most trouble we have around here is when dumped dogs form a pack. they can cause the real trouble by running cattle through fence or picking off one and doing some damage. but from what I've seen, if one canine enters a field full of momma cows, chasing them or not, momma cows tend to be proactive and send the animal on its way. we dont really have ANY problems from coyotes around here. guess their's to many easier meals to be had. (and road kill)

waterbuffy · #9 02/28/12, 07:30 AM

I agree chances are slim they will hurt a cow but we did have a 4 year old dry jersey killed by coyotes. Had state wildlife guy out here and he confirmed it. If you have enough of them they will run in a pack, pick out an animal and chase her until she becomes tired and goes down. We have lots of coyotes here, killed 15 that month we lost her. Had 2 calves killed too and all small animals including the cats had disappeared.

unregistered168043 · #10 02/28/12, 07:39 AM

A cow is out of their size range. But if they are hungry and desperate they might could take a try.

linn · #11 02/28/12, 07:52 AM

Dogs running in packs will chase cows. We had a two-year-old heifer run down in the snow one year. Unless you have a lot of coyotes in your area, your cow should be safe. The goat is fair game though.