Hawk problem, LGD's

[shamrockmommy]

Have had chickens for three months now and had a hawk attack lastnight, around dusk. I made a scarecrow, and I'm searching for a rooster (did you know it's only hard to find a rooster when u really need one!?).

If I were to get a LG dog, do I keep it in the pen (electric poultry netting, pretty large area) or let it roam the three fenced acres?

Thanks!

 

[4 the Birds]

A rooster will help sound the alarm and also roundup the girls at dusk. Our dogs bark at any large raptors circling in the air so they can also help deter. I would keep the chicken free range area fenced and separated from you dog(s) roam area. Our goats are in with our birds also help deter aerial visitors. I have a couple fake owls as scarecrows to deter small birds away from feed areas but it only helps a little and you have to move the owls often to do much good. Oddly the chickens pay no attention to the fake owls. Hope this helps!

 

[centrarchid]

I want my dogs to be with chickens when predators including raptors call. Dog may need to be able to get directly to situation to drive predator off. Mine will chase or bark at raptor keeping it a bay. A farmer I conferred with last year had Cornish X juveniles confined within an electrified fencing where a great-horned owl would catch birds inside fencing and dog on outside could do nothing despite wanting to get at owl.

 

[Baymule]

My girls are in a predator proof coop and run. When I let them out in the yard, my Great Pyrenees keeps watch. Her goofy side kick, our half black Lab and half Great Dane is in training.

 

[Alaskan]

You will REALLY need to watch your chickens.

That hawk, if it got to taste one of your chickens, will be back.