can a dog guard chickens?

[cowtown chick]

Hello,
We had a hen house massacre on Thanksgiving day, our neighbors bulldog was loose and I wasn't aware of it, I let my hens out in the yard for their daily excursion. The neighbors dog came into the yard and killed two of them. Does anybody use shepherd dogs to protect their flock? Is there such a thing?

 

[Suzie]

I have 4 German Shepherd Dogs and they protect my flocks....it is so much about the dedicated training that a responsible dog owner puts into the animal that gives the required results...without the training the dog can be a predator against your flock(s)..

 

[Egghead_Jr]

An electric fence is a bit pricey but easier in training than a dog. A guard dog takes a long time to properly train and an electric fence trains neighbors dogs in just one touch! Huge fan of electric poultry fence, stops all land predators and makes for easy moving to provide fresh forage every few weeks.

Point of lay birds vary in region for price. Here it's about $15-20 per bird. The range of price here is really due to POL being subjective and can mean 4 month birds that wont lay for months being $15 and $20 for a bird this time of year that has just started laying and folks thinning out flock for winter coop space.

 

[Folly's place]

So sorry! It takes a long time to train a dog to protect poultry, and then fighting another dog can be a loosing proposition too. Your neighbor owes you for your birds, and is responsible for keeping his dog out of your yard. Fencing! Without fencing, your dog won't stay home, and anyone's dog can visit your yard. I hope the neighbor is doing the right thing without a lot of legal prodding, but if not, definitely file a report and get things resolved some way. Mary

 

[aart]

my neighbor feels horrible about it and immediately said he would pay for more, even asked where he could get them, that's not an issue, they are only a couple of $$ as babies, it's just that it takes so long for them to lay. thanks for the input

This is why you need to charge the cost for birds at the age they were killed.
Chicks are only a few bucks each, but POL(point of lay) birds at about 6 months old are more like $20-30 each.

ETA: Agrees, you don't need a guard dog, you need a fence to keep other dogs out of your yard.

 

[CrazyTalk]

Your neighbor owes you for your birds, and is responsible for keeping his dog out of your yard. Fencing!

This varies based on jurisdiction. Some states are Fence-IN, some are Fence-Out.


Fences absolutely are the best solution. Fencing is much cheaper than getting in a feud with a neighbor.

You need a BB gun so you can shoot the dog in the butt next time he comes (LOL).

This is a good way to end up with an animal cruelty charge. Many states allow you to kill a dog on property that's harassing livestock, but all require you to use ammunition that has a reasonable expectation of killing the animal. If you feel the need to shoot at a pet to scare it off - use a paintball gun - there's less likelihood of injuring it, and the owner will know it was getting into something it shouldn't have.

 

[beginnergirl]

Sorry for your loss. I hope as well that your neighbor will do the right thing and pay you for the loss of your birds. Do file a report if your neighbor isn't responsive.

Mary is right. It takes time to train a dog, especially without a fence. Keeping a dog long term will be more expensive and time consuming than an electric fence. People's dogs can also be predators.

 

[dekel18042]

So sorry! It takes a long time to train a dog to protect poultry, and then fighting another dog can be a loosing proposition too. Your neighbor owes you for your birds, and is responsible for keeping his dog out of your yard. Fencing! Without fencing, your dog won't stay home, and anyone's dog can visit your yard. I hope the neighbor is doing the right thing without a lot of legal prodding, but if not, definitely file a report and get things resolved some way. Mary

Our English Shepherd is an excellent guard for chickens. Nothing has ever been taken on his watch. Unfortunately he is getting older now but still enjoys being outside watching his kingdom..
Some breeds are easier to train than others. Some are impossible to train so watch what breed you get and to others it comes naturally.
I took the ES to work with me when he was only a puppy. I'd throw my knapsack and coat down and he would lie by it. He was friendly with everyone but more than one co worker told me they would never touch any of my things he was watching. What was ours was his to protect from an early age.
Our younger shelties are great alarm clocks, and the very youngest herds beautifully and makes sure the chickens are in. They would sound the alarm but I would never expect them to protect anything, although they are good at chasing hawks and other birds.

 

[shell shocked]

hi yer
very sorry for your loss i think its in a dogs make up to hunt but saying that a lot of dogs are
great with hens cats that are part of their every day life i was worried about my dog he is a
staffordshire bull terrier he had a look at them not interested when they do meet all he wants to do
is stick his nose up their bums the others are right you should be paid for your hens anyway i
hope it all works out
good luck

 

[cowtown chick]

my neighbor feels horrible about it and immediately said he would pay for more, even asked where he could get them, that's not an issue, they are only a couple of $$ as babies, it's just that it takes so long for them to lay. thanks for the input