Want a new pet. Racoons killed my chickens. Would you go with a goat, alpaca or llama? Anyone have any experience with these animals? Would like it to be grandkid friendly, and stay in a 6 ft fence

SGrem said:

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Zonkey

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The Z Donk !

Off topic. But I thought of nacho libre. lol

Gunny456 said:

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Goats will eat everything in your yard/pasture. Alpacas and Llamas should have annual shearing to stay healthy…..as their fleece will get them too hot for Texas heat.
Lots of folks are getting into miniature donkeys. Small and docile if you socialize them at all. Relatively easy keeps. Don't require farrier work and not picky eaters.
If you want to raise them get a Jack and Jenny. The babies are easily sold. If you just want a single or two get a Jenny by herself or A Jenny that is bred or has a foal.

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Don't donkeys live for the better part of 2+ decades and are VERY social animals - meaning they require a lot of personal attention and interaction?

We only had those old, mean livestock guardian donkeys to keep coyotes away. If you'll take them off someone's hands, they are quite cheap (or even free) at the auction barns

The average lifespan for donkeys is around 25-35 years.
They are herd animals and do very well with any other buddy, be it another donkey, horse, goat, sheep, etc.
They do not need human interaction however, and are perfectly happy in a pasture or paddock with another buddy. They don't need personal interaction or personal attention but can become good companions.
We have/had donkeys/donkey in our pastures with our horses. Donkeys aren't typically mean. . Jacks are much more territorial than Jenny's.
I was suggesting miniature donkeys to the OP. Totally different than standard donkeys. They are becoming very popular and due to their temperament and size they make great companions. You won't find them real cheap or free at auctions due their demand and popularity.

just buy more chickens for your pet raccoons!

BlitzGD said:

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Miniature Highland Cattle are adorable.

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The prettiest yard ornament for sure.

Gunny456 said:

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Alpacas and Llamas should have annual shearing to stay healthy…..as their fleece will get them too hot for Texas heat.

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Even shorn, llamas and alpacas are a bad idea for Texas unless you have a climate controlled barn for them.

Liger

Wife's aunt & uncle raised Llamas for a long time on their ranch in Bandera. They were diligent in keeping them shorn in the summer. They didn't have a climate controlled barn but did have a nice roofed open sided pole barn with some fans in the rafters…..and it had large oak trees around it for shade. They did well with them. They did similar for the Dutch Warmbloods they raised in their fancy horse barns.

Good one!!