Many wild animals eat other animals. Poultry and livestock may be seen as easy prey for some species of wildlife. When wild animals attack poultry and livestock, they are damaging the livelihood of farmers and reducing the supply of food for Ontario residents.
Preventing conflicts with your farm animals
The best way to prevent conflicts with wildlife is to minimize the chance of contact between wild animals and farm animals. To help minimize conflicts:
- Monitor poultry and livestock frequently – the presence of humans may discourage animals from approaching.
- Confine poultry and livestock in secure pens or barns from dusk to dawn, when wild animals are more likely to be active.
- Install fences (electric or non-electric) to keep animals away from poultry and livestock.
- Use guard animals such as dogs, llamas and donkeys to protect livestock.
- Use scare devices such as lighting and noisemakers that are triggered by the presence of an animal. Wild animals can become accustomed to a continuous deterrent and ignore it.
Handling conflicts with your farm animals
If a wild animal has attacked your livestock:
- Dispose of dead livestock in accordance with the Nutrient Management Act regulations to avoid attracting other animals.
- Keep other poultry and livestock in pens or barns until you learn what animal is responsible and have taken the appropriate preventative action.
- As long as landowners don't cause unnecessary suffering to wildlife and follow all municipal by-laws, they may do what is necessary to protect their property, including poultry and livestock, against damages. Get information on your right to protect your property.
- Avoid using pastures with a history of livestock predation or pastures next to habitat suitable for wild animals such as extensive forested areas.
- Document poultry and livestock predation. This will help you identify when and where attacks are occurring and will be helpful if you wish to claim compensation under the Ontario Livestock, Poultry and Honey Bee Protection Act.
Read more on how to handle specific wild animals attacking your livestock
Additional information is available from the website of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
