Overview
There is no one tool or single preventative measure that will be equally effective in all flocks for all predators. A predation management plan can help to reduce predation to a tolerable level through:
- good flock husbandry
- guardian animals
- good fencing
- proper disposal of dead animals
- appropriate techniques for dealing with problem predators
Dealing with wild predators falls under the jurisdiction of the Wildlife Act, as well as the Agricultural Pests Act for coyotes.
Read more about predation management in Alberta
Lamb flock protection
Lamb producers in Alberta lose sheep to a number of different predators including bears, cougars, wolves, eagles, ravens and magpies. Despite the variety of predators, coyotes are responsible for the majority of predation losses across the province.
While the losses are relatively low when spread over the entire industry individual producers can have significant losses in any given year.
Learn more about Protecting lamb flocks from coyotes and other predators.
Poultry flock protection
Poultry producers can reduce or prevent predation by improving or extending care and management of their flocks.
Many poultry producers, particularly small scale operators, practise open range or unconfined management of their flocks. Unconfined flocks cannot be adequately protected from predation. Unconfined birds are easy targets for predators and entire flocks can quickly disappear without apparent cause.
Prevention is the easiest and most effective method to control predation. A little extra time and effort spent protecting poultry will produce healthy, intact flocks at market time and the peace.
Learn about what you can do to better protect your poultry flock.
Wild boars
Wild boar are an invasive pest in Alberta. They can:
- damage pasture and crops grown for animal feed
- spread diseases to livestock through direct contact or contamination of pasture, feed and water
- harass livestock and prey on lambs, calves and other newborn animals
If wild boar are in your area, take action to eliminate them. Owners and occupants of land, and those assisting them, may kill wild boar on their own land without a permit. Producers can get assistance in dealing with wild boar through the Wild Boar Control Program, including professional wild boar trapping services and crop insurance.
Learn more about wild boars in Alberta.
Using an electric fence
Electric fences are an important tool for protecting livestock in Alberta. Electric fences have been used in the province to protect livestock from predators for decades.
Predators such as coyotes, wolves, bears and domestic dogs are shocked when they try to penetrate an electric fence. For the most part, electric fences have been used to protect pastured sheep. However, these fences do have other applications. They can be used around birthing yards to protect newborn calves or lambs, or they can serve to protect poultry and farmed deer.
Learn more about electric fences, design and use.