Chicken flock guardians

[Frogdogtimestwo]

We had 4 coyotes come over our 5 foot fence and kill some chickens and a lamb so we were considering a LGD but were concerned about the hair issue in hot AZ (and we already have three dogs) so we got a donkey, he is the best darn guard donkey! He sees the coyotes before I do and runs the fence line, he is so good at his job that we have stopped locking some of them up at night, simply AMAZING if you have the room I highly recommend a guard donkey

 

[centrarchid]

At work we have two male guard donkeys used presently to guard buck sheep. I think females should have been acquired. The donkeys do challenge coyotes but also chase sheep. Their roaming habit away from feedlot / building I think also takes them away from were chickens would be making it easier for coyote / fox to use back door. Donkeys also blocked by fences I expect dogs to jump over or through to challenge predators. Also will donkeys go after racoons and oppossums?

 

[cackleberrycoop]

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Fantastic!

 

[cackleberrycoop]

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Oh, thank you Miss Lydia; that's awfully nice to hear.

Here's a site where your lovely coop would fit right in. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=423999

 

[Frogdogtimestwo]

Your right he may not be ideal for all situations but he takes care of our 2 acres easily and really does not wonder off from his girls. Ours does not like our ram at all but the ewes and babies he tolerates fine.

 

[centrarchid]

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What does he cost to feed over winter? I have about 6 acres of pasture but not enough to over winter without hay.

Such a critter might prepare pasture for free range poultry. Keeps grass short and productive for birds, pies to play in, and reduced need for mowing.

 

[Judy]

I have 3 dogs of unknown lineage. There is probably terrier, dachsund, chihuahua and lab in them, variously. I trained them to leave the chickens alone with a "leave it" type command. They don't really guard the chickens, they ignore them, but they chase off any invaders, probably mostly fox and coon and such, definitely skunk and possum. I do hear coyotes howling some nights, not far away. My chickens free range and I haven't lost one for many months.

 

[centrarchid]

Our dogs would respond a chicken cackling or squaliing to investigate but I do not think with purpose of saving chicken, rather squaling just got them to see predator. We went years without loss of birds to typical predators. Lost more chicks to cow sucking them up with hay in manger and to hogs, or hay bail crushing hen on nest.

 

[Frogdogtimestwo]

Ours is a very easy keeper, he gets a half a flake in the morn and night (alfalfa) if it's super cold I will throw out some bermuda to munch on all night and he might steal a mouthful of chicken feed if the free range girls will let him. My experience in the desert may be different due to the fact that we only have pasture 3 months out of the year when monsoon comes but he does a good job of keeping down the grass when it is available (rare treat here

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[startingover]

We have 2 Anatolians. THey are just 2 years old - so they can't be left alone with the free ranging birds. Too risky.

Anyone who thinks that Anatolians don't shed are WRONG. They shed like MAD. I can pull clothes out of the dryer - put them on, walk out the door, get in the car, look down and there is dog hair. I didn't see or pet the dogs on my way out. I think anatolian hair is a permanant fixture in the house! lol