You have free range chickens AND a tick problem? I havent seen a tick since we got our girls!
Oh and the best tick solution in the world is that product Frontline. Before I got my Girls, years ago, when I lived in an OLD house in maine, my dog (same one I have now, is outside by choice all day and most fair weather nights, no ty down, just free) Got the worst case of fleas I had EVER known! I tried collars, baths, all the typical remedies, nothing was working, it was awful! he even infested the house.
My vet put him on that stuff, and I nearly croaked at the cost but was desperate. it WORKED! Almost imediately too! withing a few weeks, we were flea free, and even the ticks started to dissapear!. Now when you first start the stuff you do have to use it monthly for at least the first spring summer fall. (winter too if you are down south.) But now, that we have killed all stages of the little buggers, we only use it in the spring and summer, every other month as a preventative. so a one year supply lasts us for 3+ years! I havent seen a flea in over 5 years! It may seem pricey at first, but it is worth its weight in gold!
Our other dog is short haired. (great dane) and for most of the year, he is curled up near the wood stove. He is useless as a lgd. He freezes, and just hovers near the doorway. My lab mix I have to drag in during bad weather. He wants to be outside, on patrol. But he was also raised that way by an older dog, so it does make a difference.
I wish you luck, and again, absolutely call fish and game, I would want to know why the people telling you these 'stories' would not have made the calls themselves. A solution is a solution, and is always desirable, why question the means?