Rodent baits and their effect on native fauna

Yes, we are currently caretaking a small farm which has a double electric fence along a river boundary to stop wild dogs from the state forest coming across the river to attack their goats and cattle.
I believe the owners received some assistance for the cost of the fencing, but I don't know the details.
I suppose it could be argued the cattle and goats have been introduced into a natural ecosystem, which is the real cause of the problems. Take out the introduced animals and the dingoes might naturally control the roos, pigs and other ferals, including domestic dogs.

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I suppose it could be argued the cattle and goats have been introduced into a natural ecosystem, which is the real cause of the problems.

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It could also be argued that the dingo's are also an introduced species, Much more sensible to eradicate these than to take out the "introduced" animals that feed the nation.

Being brought up on sheep /cattle stations in Central Qld, the dingo was public enemy no 1 , followed by the feral pigs. The dingo would decimate the new born lambs , if they could . Baiting is indiscriminate. If I remember correctly [ a long time ago] Roo shooters also had contracts for pigs and dingos.

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Originally Posted by DiscoMick

............... Take out the introduced animals and the dingoes might naturally control the roos, pigs and other ferals, including domestic dogs...................

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Does that include the 'pigs and other ferals, including domestic dogs' as per the quote?

Roos were not introduced in the last 10k years, but all the others were, including dingoes. Rethink maybe?

DL

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Originally Posted by bob10

The dingo would decimate the new born lambs , if they could . Baiting is indiscriminate.

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As do foxes,and pigs.Although we find foxes the worse of the two by a huge margin.

Shooting the foxes as much as possible,and we dont even put a dent in the population,baiting is the only way.
And having the lambs in the yards near the homestead,where possible, also helps.

From what i have seen,i dont think Dingos would take many pigs.

Dingoes are basically Asian street dogs, I have seen them there myself, and are thought to have been here for at least 10,000 years, so they're assimilated now as top predators.
Dingoes seem to control roo numbers, so that's a benefit for pasture growth.
Dingoes form family groups and groups can kill pigs. Seen results of it myself growing up on the farm. We had dingoes attack smaller pigs in runs.
Feral dogs would have to submit to a group of dingoes or could be chased off or killed.
Certainly true sheep and goats have no chance against dingoes, but cattle are normally too big for dingoes.
So I guess that means lots of fencing and selective shooting. I hate baiting because it is so indiscriminate and kills native animals. No easy answers.

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Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Dingoes are basically Asian street dogs, I have seen them there myself, and are thought to have been here for at least 10,000 years, so they're assimilated now as top predators.
Dingoes seem to control roo numbers, so that's a benefit for pasture growth.
Dingoes form family groups and groups can kill pigs. Seen results of it myself growing up on the farm. We had dingoes attack smaller pigs in runs.
Feral dogs would have to submit to a group of dingoes or could be chased off or killed.
Certainly true sheep and goats have no chance against dingoes, but cattle are normally too big for dingoes.
So I guess that means lots of fencing and selective shooting. I hate baiting because it is so indiscriminate and kills native animals. No easy answers.

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1080 is a naturally occurring poison bush/shrub in Australia and our native species are immune to it But introduced animals are not so it is a good choice as a bait poison [thumbsupbig]

The Best poison for feral animals is lead and it is a targeted approach [thumbsupbig]

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Originally Posted by scarry

As do foxes,and pigs.Although we find foxes the worse of the two by a huge margin.

Shooting the foxes as much as possible,and we dont even put a dent in the population,baiting is the only way.
And having the lambs in the yards near the homestead,where possible, also helps.

From what i have seen,i dont think Dingos would take many pigs.

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I remember I only saw foxes once, in central Qld. Dad took me to where they found a litter in a hollow tree. They seem to be a lot smarter than dingos. About the only way a dingo would take down a pig is if the pig was sick or injured, I believe. The danger in having every tom dick & harry going bush shooting everything that moves, especially on those huge properties around Longreach & Ilfracombe , is you are liable to have bullets whistling around your ears and every horse & cow are in danger at night. Professional shooters only [lease.

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Originally Posted by trout1105

The Best poison for feral animals is lead and it is a targeted approach [thumbsupbig]

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Yes I agree 100%,but looking at the numbers game,using 1080 is so much more economical,and has much better results.

But like Mick,I hate it as well,but it’s necessary at times.

Unfortunately,many good working farm dogs have been unnecessarily lost to a bait.
The neighbours lost two of their best ,not long ago,and another neighbour,a family pet.
A dog only needs a few drops,and it’s all over.

If you use a red lense cover on your spotlight your kill rate on foxes goes through the roof[thumbsupbig]