When it comes to smaller livestock, a flock of sheep is a great choice for beginners, hobby farmers, and additional income streams for existing farms. Sheep are raised for meat, milk, and wool. And, as an added bonus, do a great job with vegetation control. Many farmers with acreage to manage choose sheep over the similarly sized but often more difficult to manage goats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While a flock of sheep might do a great job of grazing acreage, they\u2019re not aggressive or predatory. In fact, they\u2019re unlikely to defend themselves at all. This leaves farmers with the task of ensuring their flocks’ protection against natural predators like coyotes, wolves, and bears. Given the number and variety of natural predators, you\u2019ll need a durable fencing material like woven wire field fence to protect your sheep. Here, we\u2019ll discuss the best options for fencing to protect sheep from predators.<\/p>\n\n\n
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When choosing an appropriate fencing material to keep predators out, the first question that comes to mind is\u2013what? Or, possibly more appropriately\u2013how big?<\/p>\n
The most common predator across all regions is the coyote. It\u2019s a wild dog, similar to a wolf but smaller. Although rare for established populations, coyotes can sometimes cross-breed with wolves or domesticated dogs to produce various hybrid species. This can account for variations in size, appearance, and behavior. With these predators, good fencing is the best line of protection.<\/p>\n
It might be hard to think of a man\u2019s best friend as a predator. However, canines share a close genetic resemblance to the feral coyote. As mentioned above, they\u2019ve even been known to crossbreed with coyotes. Along with that genetic similarity, even the domesticated dog possesses an instinctual prey drive. There are dozens of documented accounts of otherwise friendly farm dogs attacking and killing sheep\u2013enough that in some areas, dogs are a significant threat to a flock. Here, a good fence that goes all the way to the ground is the best protection.<\/p>\n
Mountain lions\u2013a large, predatory feline species, are more common than you might think. While you\u2019re unlikely to encounter one in the flatlands of the great plains, any geographical area with an elevation between sea level and 10,000 feet is fair game. Mountain lions, also known as cougars or pumas, prefer rougher terrain and the dense coverage of forests. However, expanding populations have forced some to inhabit new areas.<\/p>\n
Some of the largest predators you\u2019ll need to consider are various species of bears. Any region with forests or mountains can make a good home for bears, so plan for tall fencing and electric wire reinforcement to ensure that your field fences stand up to these large predators.<\/p>\n
A bobcat is a medium-sized feral cat native to North America. These animals are nocturnal and rarely seen by humans, yet they exist in nearly every area\u2013including suburban areas. Still, the best protection for predators like bobcats is a strong fence. Choose woven wire field fence to get durable, cost-effective protection that leaves no gaps for predators to slide underneath.<\/p>\n
A fox is a predator from the canine family. They\u2019re particularly known for being sly and handy when it comes to evading measures of protection. If you have a predator picking off your flock and you just can\u2019t figure out how\u2013a fox might be the culprit. With reddish-colored fur, pointed muzzles, and bushy tails\u2013they don\u2019t look as scary as a wolf or a bear but that doesn\u2019t mean they\u2019re any less of a threat. In addition to a good fence, some sheep farmers add an alpaca to their flock for protection.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll hear it over and over again\u2013a good fence is your best bet at protecting your flock from predators. There are plenty of options for fencing so what does a \u2018good\u2019 fence really mean?<\/p>\n