What dog breed is best at guarding the farm and chickens?

I have a 115 lb Rottweiler who thinks all the chickens are his babies.He licks the chicks and whines at them and wants to cuddle every one. He sits outside in the shade and when a hawk/vulture/airplane flies over he is roaring into business. He will run underneath the hawk barking and doing that stiff-legged hackles up big guy bark. Its nice to see. He also chases off deer which I appreciate a lot.
I don't know if the poultry guarding (he also loves o the turkeys who follow him around like a fan club.) is inherent to Rotties or not, or if this is just his thing. He is a really special dog- I have never had one like him. (I have mostly had mutts.)
he used to chase off dogs but now they are all too scared to come by. He just stands on teh top of the hill and does the "big boy bark." about once a day. darn good dog...

This being said- he sleeps in the house so was unable to prevent a fox-based massacre that occurred last week. If it was up to me the dogs would live outside. But hubby is a softie!!

I lost all my chickens due to coyotes, back in the summer/fall of '08. Did a bunch of research (even considered giving up on chickens)....decided on getting great pyrenees. Now have 2 full pyrenees and one part pry. Haven't had a yote on my property since!!!
I have 10 acres, so these big dogs have lots of room to roam.
Even if I wanted to keep them in the house at night, I couldn't. Their breeding makes them WANT to be outside patrolling the property at night........ they do come in the house during the day to nap and get treats/loving, but that's because I let them.
I got my prys from people who raised them for farm security....NOT from show breeders!!! My dogs did not cost an arm & a leg!!!
As puppys, I supervised them closely around the chickens, but now I am able to trust them to do the right thing.

Farm Security dogs.......sure beats sitting up all night with a gun in my hand.......they work while I sleep. If there is a problem, their barking alerts me, then I'm up and out to see what the trouble is. I LOVE my prys!!!

Maremma Sheepdog.

I would not get any type of dog for chickens and a farm but a Livestock Guardian Dog breed. Most of the other dog breeds are too risky for birds or do not have the right guarding instinct bred in them to make them a good active guard. So while people say that their wonderful pooch does not hurt the chickens, I am left to wonder if there is any actual guarding happening or are the dogs and chickens only let out when someone is home.

I know that many people have a variety of dogs that have turned out alright with chickens but the risk is much greater that the dog's prey drive might kick in. LGD's have been bred to have a very low prey drive.

We have had no losses during the last 2 years while our Maremma has been out there full time. And our chickens are rarely locked in - they are fully free range. Also, we are in a predator rich rural area. Our Maremma is awesome - outside all year long, in charge of the property and birds.

We sleep easy at night.

wouldn't ever own anything for outside again but a Great Pyrenees. Also would never think of buying one that wasn't raised from birth outside with the farm animals. Breeders who show can also have great guard stock, but I am a firm believer these breeds should be kept from the beginning with their charges.

Our female was born on a farm, but welped inside and not introduced to the farm animals until 6-7 weeks old. She is a full time house dog and prefers it that way. Our male, he was born in the barn in a welping stall and raised with the farm animals. He is out 24/7 and except for first thing in the morning (5 amish) he wants nothing to do with the house.

Unlike our mini doxie he does not bark at every noise. He patrols, listens and watches reacting when needed. He wont tolerate squirrels or wild birds coming in at all. We have not had any of the bob cats, coons, cyotes or other predators return since he became old enough to be out all night on his own.

Get references, do TONS of breed research to know their traits, faults and if any medical concerns you should be aware of. Make sure your family and lifestyle work for the breed/breeds you narrow your search to. LSGD's are independent thinkers and should have a job. Firm but positive training works best with them, as does consistency from all members of the family.

Good luck on your dog search.