Best Rooster Protection

[Eva2012]

I saw some youtube videos of Feist dogs that ignore the chickens and just go after predators.
We have one Jagd Terrier who seems to ignore the chickens but have not live tested her with free range chickens. We got our chickens last August and are still working through all options. Hawk netting will be next which will create a complete chicken enclosure for their 40 x 90 ft chicken run , completely fenced to protect against Coyotes, wild dogs and feral cats.

 

[centrarchid]

If the dog route is pursued which for many is best, life will get a lost more complicated as you ensure dogs are not threat. If dog not kept as pet or for hunting first, then it would take a pretty good sized flock to justify added costs of maintaining dog. Dog will be a long-term consideration and may take a year or two before protection realized if you start with a pup.

 

[gg706]

I agree. I have been lucky to say the least . I raised my weims as pups and the chicks together. I free range all day and the dogs are fine. At most they follow the flock and eat the poo they leave behind. I do believe they would chase off a wild type predator. HOWEVER I am still concerned IF a household dog were to gain entry to my yard and go after my chickens...I do not know if my dogs would protect the flock or join in and kill as well. I am hoping this not tested anytime soon and I have more time to encourage protecting the flock. At any rate if you free range I do feel you have to be willing to take a loss as the consequence of ranging. With that said my birds enjoy being out and free so much it is a risk I accept as part of giving them a fulfilled life. It has been a year with one small incident of a neighbors dog getting into the yard and chasing the chickens...my roo had war wounds but recovered. my dogs were not out at the time so I do not know how they would have reacted.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

LOL That is what stopped one of my wife's friends from allowing her little fo-fo dog to eat from her family's dinner dishes. When she came by with said pooch the first thing it did was snap up some chicken poo. And then

look for more.

You show a very good understanding of the K9 though process. Yes you are right to be concerned especially since the dogs you have are more of a pack type get along at all costs animal. Nothing will tell the tail however until your dogs have some K9 friends over to play.

 

[gg706]

UGH it is disgusting!

I know they lick their butts...but seeing them lap up a huge pile of chicken poo one after the other is REALLY gross! The good part of it....I dont step in very much chicken poo!

 

[centrarchid]

Dogs should stop that habit with time. My free-ranging dogs seldom consume chicken feces now even though they did so frequently when dogs were pups.

 

[gg706]

That is good to know. I am hopeful they will give it up sooner than later!