Flock dog sleeps with birds - shut up coop at night??

[Fountainhead]

We are less than a week into raising BYC. We inherited a large (for us) flock and a Great Pyrenees guardian dog from a friend. They all reside together in a quarter of our large barn with free range access to a large fenced section of our property. The barn is far from air tight and the dog sleeps with the birds. We have a flock of several breeds of hens, 3 guineas, 1 female turkey, and 3 roosters. To shut up the coop/barn at night we've been sliding a piece of tin over the opening in the side of the barn designed for them to come and go from. They've been with us only a few days but the last 4 nights we have discovered that they are all in the barn and roosting by the time we go close them in for the night so they've got that down. And, inevitably, there are always a few out in the chicken yard when I get there in the morning so I feel like I'm keeping Gracie, the flock dog, in more than protecting the birds and I'm beginning to wonder if I should bother. So...long post, but, a predator would have to get into the fence (which is possible if they were determined) and through Gracie to get to a bird at night and it's not 100% entry proof right now anyways, should we bother with closing up the biggest entryway with the piece of tin at night??? This is pure opinion but I'm wondering what more experienced BYC keepers would do. Thanks!!

 

[sourland]

I'd work on 'shoring up' the barn so that birds could not get out on their own. You are right that Gracie can not protect the escapees if she is locked in the barn.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

We are less than a week into raising BYC. We inherited a large (for us) flock and a Great Pyrenees guardian dog from a friend. They all reside together in a quarter of our large barn with free range access to a large fenced section of our property. The barn is far from air tight and the dog sleeps with the birds. We have a flock of several breeds of hens, 3 guineas, 1 female turkey, and 3 roosters. To shut up the coop/barn at night we've been sliding a piece of tin over the opening in the side of the barn designed for them to come and go from. They've been with us only a few days but the last 4 nights we have discovered that they are all in the barn and roosting by the time we go close them in for the night so they've got that down. And, inevitably, there are always a few out in the chicken yard when I get there in the morning so I feel like I'm keeping Gracie, the flock dog, in more than protecting the birds and I'm beginning to wonder if I should bother. So...long post, but, a predator would have to get into the fence (which is possible if they were determined) and through Gracie to get to a bird at night and it's not 100% entry proof right now anyways, should we bother with closing up the biggest entryway with the piece of tin at night??? This is pure opinion but I'm wondering what more experienced BYC keepers would do. Thanks!!

If you can keep your birds roosting IN the barn and in such a way and place that at night they are safe from ground based predators, while giving Gracie the run of the property (make sure dog is safe from traffic) then 90%of the battle is won. Heavy duty LGDs like your's are known for killing foxes, coyotes, and even the occasional wolf. Possums, skunks, mink, wild cats, and most coons won't stand a chance in a fang to fang showdown. The only problem with dogs bred to be LSGDs is that they sometimes patrol such a large territory that the bold and sly preds can slip in while the dog is out making its rounds.. I can not think of a better home for a LSGD than a old fashioned barn. LSGDs like the Great Pyrenees are bred to live 24-7-365 with a flock of sheep in Alpine meadows. I can not imagine a Winter in Tennessee that would even inconvenience such a pooch.

 

[centrarchid]

Based on description of situation you have some potential worries. A raccoon could get into upper level of barn and be able to get around beyond dog's reach. Also if barn holey like some old ones can be, the Great-horned Owls can come in and do their business beyond dog's reach. I very much like to have birds roost in elevated and protected locations even with a dog as it can make your job of doing inventory / checking for losses easier.