Donkeys as livestock guardians
Mr Smoky is one of our livestock guardians and he is wonderful!
I must stress that not every donkey is a good guardian. We are very fortunate that Mr. Smoky IS a good guardian, but we don't take unnecessary chances either. At lambing he is separated from the Ewes and he goes to guard our Ram Flock. Since he can count and he KNOWS when there is a new addition, we have found it better to introduce him to all the lambs once lambing season is over and we watch him carefully, just in case.
In the pictures below, you can see that he puts up with Beau. I missed a wonderful shot of Beau up on his hind legs washing Mr. Smoky's face and then dropping to all fours to nibble on his chin!
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I must stress that not every donkey is a good guardian. We are very fortunate that Mr. Smoky IS a good guardian, but we don't take unnecessary chances either. At lambing he is separated from the Ewes and he goes to guard our Ram Flock. Since he can count and he KNOWS when there is a new addition, we have found it better to introduce him to all the lambs once lambing season is over and we watch him carefully, just in case.
In the pictures below, you can see that he puts up with Beau. I missed a wonderful shot of Beau up on his hind legs washing Mr. Smoky's face and then dropping to all fours to nibble on his chin!
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