Guard Donkeys Protect the Herd

By Anita B. Stone
Published on March 1, 2007
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Jack takes his duties seriously.
Jack takes his duties seriously.
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True farmland security should involve a donkey.
True farmland security should involve a donkey.

Protecting livestock is easy when you have guard donkeys in place.

Buena Vista, North Carolina — Have you ever seen a cow smile? If you do see a herd of cattle with big goofy grins, it’s probably not because of the growing number of vegetarians. The cows might be happy because of a chief security officer whose obnoxious braying can raise the roof off a barn — guard donkeys are at work.

Take, for instance, Jack, the 8-month-old guard donkey who protects the herd on a 200-acre farm near Buena Vista. Sure, he looks like a sweet pet, but here’s the kicker — he will punt over the moon any animal that is harassing one of the cows.

Guard donkeys have a reputation that stretches back to Biblical days. But many modern farmers only recently have become aware of the donkey’s usefulness in protecting their herds and flocks from predators. For Kim McPherson, coordinator of The Children’s Home farm, selecting this particular guard animal wasn’t a matter of choice. “Jack was donated by another farmer,” she says, “and he guards the herd like any head of the household.”

Guard donkeys keep a vigilant eye, whether standing watch between the shady places among trees or showing themselves full-bodied, ready for a challenge. “And with harsh winters and a constant increasing herd size, the need for better protection becomes evident,” says McPherson. “That’s when the herd needs donkey patrol.”

Donkeys don’t like intruders in their space and are capable of severely discouraging any predators.

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