Goat guardians besides LGDs?

[DixyDoodle]

Just curious if there are any practical livestock guardians for goats kept in smaller areas? We were discussing this in the LGD thread, but since my goats are kept in maybe a 1/4 acre area, a dog would probably not be practical.

I considered maybe getting a llama, but don't want to perhaps get stuck with one that doesn't do its job. I've heard people say they do protect goats and sheep and some people say they aren't worth the trouble, and often don't protect. What about the smaller version of llamas, the alpacas? ARE there other LG's around that can be put with goats? I know donkeys are out, I've heard time and again that sometimes donkeys are good with goats they've been brought up with but sometimes will kill any kids as they are considered to be "trespassers".

Any other ideas? There seems to be a large pack of coyotes stringing through our side field and they give me the heebie jeebies.

[Bearfootfarm]

For the amount of money you would spend on a guardian animal, you could build a really nice predator proof fence in that small an area.
A combination of woven wire and electric should keep everything on the proper side of the fence

If you dont have close neighbors, a couple of large "yard dogs" could help keep the coyotes away without having to be fenced in with the goats.

[chris30523]

My pyr died this year. We don't have anything in with the goats but we have two "yard dogs" that keep anything out of the area. The coyotes have been active around here the last few nights and the dogs send them packing.I am hoping they will be enough along with a good fence.

[Gailann Schrader]

I don't know if my yama is that PROTECTIVE? But he will block the aisleway down into the woods and NOT MOVE. It's wet, raining, cruddy, windy, etc. The goats can't get past him.

And the most important thing he does? In the winter (Indiana, brr and then warm and then brr)... the babies and does will lay ON him (babies on him) and the does around his fuzziness. He's a great, wooly blanket for them.

DO NOT BUY A STUD YAMA. If he's been bred or is willing? He can and will mistake your does for "good lookin' yama women" and will break them. Literally. Yamas breed in the cush/pushed-to-the-ground manner. VERY different from goats and sheep. I was told that even if you geld him afterwards? He's still studdy. )o:

[thedonkeyman]

In your case with such a small place the fence idea would be best. But do not judge the Donkey, as they have been used with Sheep with good success.
ADA CEO thedonkeyman