Animal Photography- Buddies On Guard
Happy Monday and welcome to #animalphotography sponsored @juliank and #dailypetphotography sponsored by @kona.
While driving by, I saw this donkey standing under a tree trying to get a bit of shade from the heat.
Doesn’t the donkey look cute with the bangs?
There are sheep in the background and this donkey keeps his eye on them. Often a farmer will have a donkey among his livestock to protect the sheep from predators.
There could be coyotes in this area. I saw a fox cross the road not far from the farm.
Not all donkeys will bond with the sheep and some can be aggressive towards them. If you get a pet donkey, it is important to get a good-natured one.
On the upside, donkeys can live twenty years, are low maintenance and pretty well eat the same food as the sheep.
Once the donkey bonds with the sheep, he will confront and chase dogs or coyotes out of the pasture.
A donkey’s loud brays and fast pursuit will scare away predators and may alert the farmer.
If the predators do not retreat quickly the donkeys will attack them by rising up on hind legs and striking with both front feet. A solid blow can injure, kill or at the very least discourage the predator.
When I passed this farm, two hours later, the donkey and his buddy, the horse, were still standing in the shade of the trees.
The sheep are in their pen and chowing down, Their shade tree has broken off and the stump is still standing. They have the barn to go into.
Don’t underestimate a donkey, they know enough to get out of the heat and will save your ewes.
Location: Prince Edward Island, Canada
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T6
Photos & Text @redheadpei
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I like donkeys... always remind me ... do not just walk with the crowd ... go your own way 👌
Thanks for stopping by @bellaibiza. Donkeys do have a mind of their own. It is important when choosing one, as when picking a partner, make sure they have a pleasant personality and don’t like to bite you. 😊
this comparison ... just brilliant and funny
I would never have thought of comparing the partner with a donkey😅😂
I’m happy you got a chuckle out of my attempt to be funny, @bellaibiza.😂
A laugh is pretty much the most beautiful in the world 🤩 and it is for free👍
Great info and photos @redheadpei! I do often see a donkey with horses and sheep but never knew why other than they are cute. Thanks! 😊
Thanks Dee. Farmers have also used dogs and llamas as guards for their sheep. The donkey is a good pack animal too. I always think of the prospectors searching for gold with their donkey or mule loaded down with supplies....Maybe I’ve watched too many John Wayne movies. 😊
You're welcome Jo!! Lol..on the prospecting..I love those kinds of shows!
Thanks so much @photofriend for the resteem. Appreciated! ❤️
Awe such a great story!
From a guy who knows horses that’s a great compliment, Thanks Mike @awesomemike and for the resteem. 😊
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I had no idea donkeys could be sheep guards! I've always loved donkeys, and they are finally treated as a protected species in some countries, as Portugal. But this was a first to me. Great guards, indeed! And great photos, sweetie!
Thanks dear Nolasco. Donkeys seem to have something special about them. ❤️
Donkeys are really cool, despite their bad reputation. Llamas are also good for driving off coyotes, as well!
Thanks for commenting @mountainwashere. Yes, driving by farms, I often see a couple llamas and a donkey in the pasture with the other livestock. This is something new here the last few years. Double insurance against predators like the coyotes. 😊
This is so funny... How did you just drive by and happen to see a donkey with cute bangs like that? It almost looks like a pony. My kids are so excited to visit America. I hope they don't just stay inside and play video games but I hope they can get out and visit some of the local farms and ranches.
Actually I asked Hubster to slow down by the farm as I knew sheep were there and then I saw the donkey. I wondered if the donkey was some kind of a crossbred.
It does seem the children nowadays are inside a lot playing their video games. Very seldom do I see kids outside playing unless at the beach. I’m sure your boys will be anxious to see what America has to offer.
Thank you :)
Interesting concept to use donkeys as guard animals. Would they really think they're part of the sheep herd and protect them?
One doesn’t think of a donkey as a guard animal such as a dog would be. The donkey has to bond with the sheep first. It is best to keep him in a corral with the sheep for awhile before letting them out in the pasture together. Donkeys, like everyone else, have different dispositions. Some donkeys are ornery and can be difficult...so make sure your donkey has a pleasant personality. 😊 One donkey could protect 100 to 200 sheep.
With the raise in recent years of the coyote population, I often see a donkey and a llama in pastures to ward off predators.