dogs as gaurds for the flock

[atlantachickenwhisperer]

Hey,

Our two dogs warn us by barking when a predator is near. They are out with the chickens during the day, and in their dog crates in the sunroom at night. During the night they have warned us by barking at owls, hawks, opossums, raccoons, and weasels. The chickens are secure at night and we use Nite Guard Solar lights so we don't worry too much about an attack, but it's nice to know when a predator is near.

 

[Dust Bunny]

my dogs are great protectors

and tolerant to!

 

[cobrien]

One of my dogs has been a guardian of chickens - even unsupervised - for 10 years. My other dog has been doing it for two years. It takes a lot of training and supervision in the beginning, and I'd say it takes a bit of luck, too. I think most dogs can be trained to be okay with chickens when supervised, but perhaps not all can be trained enough to be left unsupervised.

 

[hipeatall]

We have 2 dogs... a Louisiana Catahoula and a Golden Retriever... both dogs get along great with our 20 chickens.
Our Catahoula, Lucille, was 6 when we got our chickens 3 years ago. I introduced her to the chicks when they were just a day old... I would hold them and let her sniff them. When they were old enough to start free ranging I would walk Lucy on a leash on our property so she could get used to these fluffy new friends running around. After a few days I felt comfortable letting her off the lead, I made her wear a mesh muzzle though, just in case. After about a week of watching her lay in the pasture with the chickens coming right up to her nose... I took the muzzle off for good and she has been free ranging with the chicks ever since.
Our Golden, Dottie, was introduced to the adult chickens when she was 8 weeks old... she wanted to play with and chase them, of course... but she was easy to train and realized fast that I didn't approve of chasing the chicks.
Both of our dogs bark like crazy if they see hawks or if a chicken is in distress (at first Lucy would go crazy barking when they were laying an egg... I'd have to go out and console both chicken and dog!)... it's nice having an alarm system!

 

[catdaddy66]

Wow,

The muzzle idea is a good one, especially for my one hyper (young) mixed breed. He is my biggest worry as he is hyper, loves to fetch and chase, and barks like crazy at any nocturnal commotion!

 

[hipeatall]

Quote:
Here is the kind we used with Lucy...

http://www.tractorsupply.com/pet-ca...llars/best-fit-reg-mesh-muzzle-size-6-2436304