Predator survey results preview highlights flock threats

摘要

Initial results would indicate that ravens are the most widely found predator closely followed by crows and foxes. Of 261 respondents, more than 90% have seen an increase in the number of predator attacks in the past few years.This seems to be due an uncontrollable rise in the number of predators and competition for food, with a decrease in the number of people available to control them and legislative restrictions.An overwhelming 76% described the period during birth to first week of lambing as the most critical time for attacks to occur, in April and May. Some 81% said they have witnessed an attack and, as a result, have increased their stock checking during theday, started lambing indoors, and also moved their flocks closer to the farm yard, alongside many other strategies in an attempt to mitigate attacks.