Donkeys and chickens are common farmyard animals, and they often cohabit peacefully. While they are unlikely to form strong bonds, donkeys can be territorial so while they might not physically protect chickens, they will alert their owners and others if any predators or strangers enter the land. Their hee haw carries a considerable distance, and it will grow in volume and frequency until a threat subsides. However, donkeys do not see all chicken predators as being threats so they may not make any noise if there are rats or birds of prey about. So, while donkeys do not specifically protect chickens, they can make good farmyard guardians, but not against all threats.

Chicken Predators Chickens are a popular farmyard or small-holding addition. They yield eggs and they can also be reared for their meat. Depending on the species of chicken, they can also be quite friendly additions to the yard that will follow humans around. They can be inquisitive and are relatively easy to keep, once you have a little experience. However, one aspect that you do need to consider when keeping chickens is the potential for predators. Chicken predators include coyotes and foxes, but also animals like rats and even birds of prey. Threats come from the water, the air, and the land, which can make protecting chickens a difficult task. Having one or more animals to help guard them may be a sensible approach to chicken keeping. Image Credit By: AlainAudet, Pixabay Pros of a Donkey Guardian Donkeys do have certain attributes that make them a good choice as guardians for chickens and other animals in the yard. They are territorial, so if they see any animals or anything they deem to be a threat enter their territory, they will become alarmed and alert. And, when a donkey is alarmed, it lets out a loud hee haw noise that can be heard from a considerable distance. They may even attack the invading animal, and a donkey can do a very good job of fending off a rat. A full-size donkey could get the upper hand over a fox, although miniature donkeys, which are less likely to injure the chickens themselves, may struggle with animals of this size. Donkeys can also be trained, at least to some extent, which means that you can teach your donkey to look for certain animals and to let out a call when they spot them. Cons of a Donkey Guardian For all the benefits of a donkey guardian, there are also some reasons why the animal doesn’t make the best chicken guardian. They are heavy and they can cause a lot of damage to the chickens themselves. This is especially likely if they decide to try and fend off any uninvited guests and the chickens get caught in the crossfire. If you don’t train a donkey to specifically see rats or hawks as a threat, they won’t naturally do so. These smaller predators do not pose a threat to the donkeys themselves, so they may simply ignore them.

Good Chicken Guardians Donkeys aren’t a viable option in all cases, but other animals can provide protection or act as alarms for your chicken population.

  1. Dogs Image Credit: Avis_Colors, Pixabay Dogs are the most commonly used livestock guardians. They can be trained, will scare off most predators, and the breeds that are used in this way are intelligent enough to be easily trained for the task. The Great Pyrenees, Anatolian Shepherd, and Komondor are good breeds to consider.

  2. Geese Image Credit: Veronika_Andrews, Pixabay If you’ve come face to face with an angry goose, you will know that they can be as threatening as some dogs. Like donkeys, geese are territorial, so they protect the area rather than the chickens, but they do so with fervor. While they might not be able to fight off a coyote, they will make plenty of noise to alert you and they will spot hawks before alerting their chicken flock.

  3. Wild Birds Image Credit: minka2507, Pixabay Some wild birds, such as crows, are known to give hawks a run for their money, and while you can’t keep them as guardians, you can attract them to your yard where they will act as natural guardians. The issue with attracting crows is that they will eat chicks, so young chickens need to be kept in the coop or otherwise out of the way of local crows.

Conclusion Donkeys can make effective chicken guardians and will guard your livestock by making a serious racket if they sense a threat. If you are considering getting donkeys as guardians, look at the smaller breeds because they will be less likely to cause accidental injury to your chickens, and if you don’t have room to keep donkeys or want an alternative solution, you can train dogs or even geese to help protect your yard inhabitants. Sources

thehappychickencoop.com hayfarmguy.com backyardchickens.com bestfarmanimals.com minidonkeyuniversity.com

Featured Image Credit: Melody Mellinger, Shutterstock

Donkeys and chickens are common farmyard animals, and they often cohabit peacefully. While they are unlikely to form strong bonds, donkeys can be territorial so while they might not physically protect chickens, they will alert their owners and others if any predators or strangers enter the land.

Their hee haw carries a considerable distance, and it will grow in volume and frequency until a threat subsides. However, donkeys do not see all chicken predators as being threats so they may not make any noise if there are rats or birds of prey about. So, while donkeys do not specifically protect chickens, they can make good farmyard guardians, but not against all threats.

Chicken Predators

Chickens are a popular farmyard or small-holding addition. They yield eggs and they can also be reared for their meat. Depending on the species of chicken, they can also be quite friendly additions to the yard that will follow humans around. They can be inquisitive and are relatively easy to keep, once you have a little experience.

However, one aspect that you do need to consider when keeping chickens is the potential for predators. Chicken predators include coyotes and foxes, but also animals like rats and even birds of prey. Threats come from the water, the air, and the land, which can make protecting chickens a difficult task. Having one or more animals to help guard them may be a sensible approach to chicken keeping.

Pros of a Donkey Guardian

Donkeys do have certain attributes that make them a good choice as guardians for chickens and other animals in the yard. They are territorial, so if they see any animals or anything they deem to be a threat enter their territory, they will become alarmed and alert. And, when a donkey is alarmed, it lets out a loud hee haw noise that can be heard from a considerable distance. They may even attack the invading animal, and a donkey can do a very good job of fending off a rat.

A full-size donkey could get the upper hand over a fox, although miniature donkeys, which are less likely to injure the chickens themselves, may struggle with animals of this size. Donkeys can also be trained, at least to some extent, which means that you can teach your donkey to look for certain animals and to let out a call when they spot them.

Cons of a Donkey Guardian

For all the benefits of a donkey guardian, there are also some reasons why the animal doesn’t make the best chicken guardian. They are heavy and they can cause a lot of damage to the chickens themselves. This is especially likely if they decide to try and fend off any uninvited guests and the chickens get caught in the crossfire.

If you don’t train a donkey to specifically see rats or hawks as a threat, they won’t naturally do so. These smaller predators do not pose a threat to the donkeys themselves, so they may simply ignore them.

Good Chicken Guardians

Donkeys aren’t a viable option in all cases, but other animals can provide protection or act as alarms for your chicken population.

1. Dogs

Dogs are the most commonly used livestock guardians. They can be trained, will scare off most predators, and the breeds that are used in this way are intelligent enough to be easily trained for the task. The Great Pyrenees, Anatolian Shepherd, and Komondor are good breeds to consider.

2. Geese

If you’ve come face to face with an angry goose, you will know that they can be as threatening as some dogs. Like donkeys, geese are territorial, so they protect the area rather than the chickens, but they do so with fervor. While they might not be able to fight off a coyote, they will make plenty of noise to alert you and they will spot hawks before alerting their chicken flock.

3. Wild Birds

Some wild birds, such as crows, are known to give hawks a run for their money, and while you can’t keep them as guardians, you can attract them to your yard where they will act as natural guardians. The issue with attracting crows is that they will eat chicks, so young chickens need to be kept in the coop or otherwise out of the way of local crows.

Conclusion

Donkeys can make effective chicken guardians and will guard your livestock by making a serious racket if they sense a threat. If you are considering getting donkeys as guardians, look at the smaller breeds because they will be less likely to cause accidental injury to your chickens, and if you don’t have room to keep donkeys or want an alternative solution, you can train dogs or even geese to help protect your yard inhabitants.

Sources

thehappychickencoop.com hayfarmguy.com backyardchickens.com bestfarmanimals.com minidonkeyuniversity.com

Featured Image Credit: Melody Mellinger, Shutterstock

  • thehappychickencoop.com
  • hayfarmguy.com
  • backyardchickens.com
  • bestfarmanimals.com
  • minidonkeyuniversity.com