I agree with your reasoning. Somehow it skipped my mind that many of our members may not have adequate space or live in neighborhood "too close for comfort". I’m sorry for not thinking about that.
Nevertheless I beg to differ about not being able to afford a dog. A puppy cost not much more then a value of several lost chickens, anguish, tears, sorrow, distress….
To guard a chickens, you don’t necessarily need a dog with papers.
Pure breed un-registered dog could be obtained for $200+-
I even came across an ad, where a farmer was saying: we accept bartering.
Meaning, that they accept something in exchange. That could be different animal or other things of equal value including labor service.
And - not every Pyr (not every LGD) is barking at night.
My is almost completely quiet.
Just moments ago, I was looking through my kitchen window and I see an orange dog coming to our property. He was sort of a big version of fox. Size of a German Sheppard. He was sniffing, coming closer and closer....I heard my chicken giving these "alert voices".
Where is my Pyr? Why is he not barking?
In the next second, I saw my Pyr charging at the dog silently, not one barks!
He chased this dog within lightening speed. I didn't even know that he can run so fast!
Then it was silence.....No dogs....I was worried that my Pyr is gone beyond our property...
I went outside ready to look for him. There he was, laying next to the porch, all proud :)
which means they took 40 
