We always love when we get to experience the neighbors' livestock just on the other side of the fences around our farm. It gives us a taste of possibilities for the future and lets us enjoy them while we are there part time without having to worry about leaving them alone.
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| White Mule |
So we saw this handsome fella at the back fence line the other day. He was definitely a looker standing there in the green pasture grass, dressed in his finest white. Found out the neighbors got a pair of them to help protect their other animals from coyotes. Apparently mules and donkeys hate coyotes and will chase them off if they approach the other herding animals.
We had never heard that before but like that some animals will help to protect other animals. I had heard of dogs doing this of course but didn't realize that other animals did this as well. You learn something new every day!
We had never heard that before but like that some animals will help to protect other animals. I had heard of dogs doing this of course but didn't realize that other animals did this as well. You learn something new every day!
A jenny makes a good guard. My friend used one for his sheep. He was usually Farmer John dressed when he worked with his sheep. One day at lunch he went home to check them dressed in his suit. The Jenny came, ninety to nothing to run him out, ears laid back and mouth ready to defend. My friend said he left the pasture! He finally convinced the jenny from the other side of the fence he WAS a good guy and she allowed him in.
ReplyDeleteSome people also use llama.
He's a handsome fellow.
That's a great recollection to share....that would have scared me to death, ha. He is pretty handsome, as mule's go, ha. Hadn't heard the word Jenny, will have to remember that.
Delete1st Man,
ReplyDeleteMules/donkey's make for a great alarm system.
I can't believe I'm just now hearing about it but I'll have to remember that. An alarm that only costs feed, ha.
DeleteGuineas are great alarm systems and llamas are also kept to chase away coyotes.
ReplyDeleteCool! Thanks for that info, I didn't know that about guineas.
DeleteAnd some places use geese for the same purposes... Watch geese - who can apparently break a human intruder's leg with a blow from their wings.
ReplyDeleteAnimals are amazing.
I've heard that geese can be aggressive, didn't know they could do that. Keep them on your good side, ha. Thanks!! And yes, animals are amazing...we could all learn a lot from them.
DeleteWe have alpacas, and of course the dog, but nature is amazing when you really listen to it. The sound of the birds gibbering crazily now lets me know that they are in protection mode, be it an eagle above, a rat too close to a nest or a fox in the paddock. I still stop in awe to watch tiny little birds take on huge Wedgetail Eagles to move them away from their nests. Great pic by the way. Donkeys make the loudest noise!
ReplyDeleteI love mules; very sensible and intelligent creatures.
ReplyDeletei never knew this either. how very cool!
ReplyDeleteHe sure is a handsome guy.
ReplyDeleteAll the farmers in our area have at least a couple of these guys grazing with their horses and cattle.
One farmer has chickens and every once in awhile you will see a mule/ donkey roaming right along with the chickens and then you will see some people that will just have one of these fellas around as a pet just to keep other intruders out of their yard.
They are a good animal to have around
I agree. Mules and donkeys make great watchdogs and livestock guardians.
ReplyDeleteYou have so many interesting animal neighbors. Love the handsome Guard Mule!
ReplyDeleteI heard that mules and donkeys will kick a dog or other animals they think are threatening. Of course, they'll kick people, too. When I lived in Illinois, a man up the street from us had cattle that would get out. It was disconcerting to look out the window and see a cow munching on my grass.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
When we lived in San Antonio we were on the fringe of the urban area and there was a cattle ranch at the end of our street. There were always donkeys in the herd. We often heard the call of coyotes out on the ranch, but they never got any of the cattle. That's one handsome mule. I'd enjoy having it as a neighbor, too.
ReplyDelete