I would dearly like my chickens to be able to free range when they are old enough but my neighbor (DHs uncle) has a dog that dearly loves to kill. I have seen her get rabbits and there is no chance to try to save the animal from her as once she has it, she runs with it. I have made it clear to her that she is not welcome in our yard and she does her best to avoid me. Part of the problem is that she isn't fixed and she comes to my yard to see our dog who is fixed. He'll oblige her for a while but even he gets tired of her and wants to be in the house. She hangs around and if our dog isn't out she heads to the neighbors who have many dogs. I have no doubt that she will eventually be taken out by a coyote or coy-dog (they pass through our yard regularly). I am anticipating her sitting outside my coop and run barking.
After all that, this is what I'm looking for: something to protect my animals while free ranging. I'm sure this dog doesn't weigh more than 25-30 pounds, not tall or stocky by any means. I'd thought of getting a couple Toulouse geese as they are quite large and can be formidable with strangers but I don't have a pond for them. Then I thought of getting the largest rooster I could find but I'd still have to wait until he was full grown to do his job successfully without loosing his life. Then the other day I thought about a dog, like a sheepdog or boarder collie. My dog is getting older, he'll be 10 this year and I'm pretty sure he has Cushings disease. He's not a right-off by any means but age is taking its toll on him and if we get a new dog, I'd like it to be trained by him.
What do ya'll think? The chicks would only be out with us while we are home but I need someone watchful who will follow the chickens around. What is my best bet against this mangy little dog?
After all that, this is what I'm looking for: something to protect my animals while free ranging. I'm sure this dog doesn't weigh more than 25-30 pounds, not tall or stocky by any means. I'd thought of getting a couple Toulouse geese as they are quite large and can be formidable with strangers but I don't have a pond for them. Then I thought of getting the largest rooster I could find but I'd still have to wait until he was full grown to do his job successfully without loosing his life. Then the other day I thought about a dog, like a sheepdog or boarder collie. My dog is getting older, he'll be 10 this year and I'm pretty sure he has Cushings disease. He's not a right-off by any means but age is taking its toll on him and if we get a new dog, I'd like it to be trained by him.
What do ya'll think? The chicks would only be out with us while we are home but I need someone watchful who will follow the chickens around. What is my best bet against this mangy little dog?