Circumstances Associated with Predation Rates on Sheep and Goats

Abstract

Factors possibly associated with high (over 5%) and low (0-5%) predation intensities were compared among 95 sheep or goat producers in 5 states to determine if important differences were evident between the 2 groups. Data were compared for the following variables: losses to predation, flock size, type of ranch operation, management practices, predator indices, prey indices, use of U.S. Animal Damage Control program, private control efforts, predation history, timing of predation, and presence of other sheep or goats nearby. Overall, 45% of the producers reported over 5% predation losses of their lambs or kids and predation percentages tended to increase with decreased flock sizes. Feeder lamb and range sheep operations had predominantly low predation loss percentages, but most operations that included goats reported over 5% predation losses due to goat predation. A variety of management practices were used by both groups; however, low loss producers indicated low natural prey and predator populations. Most of the producers used the federal ADC program and some type of private control effort, although more high loss producers used both types. Rough, bottom, and brush grazing lands, historic predation problems, and high predator indices characterized many of the high loss producers. Predation intensity on livestock among producers is variable (Gee et al. 1977, Nass 1980). Various studies (deCalesta 1978, Schaefer et al. 1981, and others) have shown that livestock losses to predators vary significantly among samples of producers; however, data on reasons for this variability are lacking (Gee et al. 1977). Frequently, experienced animal damage control personnel know or suspect why specific levels of predation are occurring at specific times, but there have been no standardized mechanisms for recording, tabulating, and comparing the information on a ranchby-ranch basis. Boggess et al. 1980, Meduna 1977, and Schaefer et al. 1981 have explored the effects of some husbandry practices on livestock predation levels. The objective of our study was to identify factors common to ranches with high sheep or goat predation and compare them with low predation loss ranches.