Help me choose a LGD please!

[McChooky]

Yes this is exactly where I am at. I currently own a very large incubator and raise my own chicks and am in the process of expanding my flock through my own stock. 16 is the smallest my flock has been in awhile and we are not happy about it one bit. Also plan on adding livestock to my property soon. My husband and I are semi self sufficient and planning on full self sufficiency on our property and are raising our own meat and growing a garden. We don’t work full time jobs too be able to do this. We don’t live the same lives of convenience most people do currently. These aren’t just pets to me, these are a food source. A good lgd is expensive yes but a great investment for someone in my situation. Just because they don’t completely stop casualties doesn’t mean they aren’t useful. The cost of a dog is not a problem to me, and I think what it will add over time would be worth it. I really appreciate that you listed breeds that would be better suited for a smaller acreage because now I have a better idea of what to look for and that I need to stay away from traditional lgds.

The kind of dog you need depends on where you live, how much land you've got and whether its fenced or not .The kind of livestock you keep is determined by the kind of fences you have ,how effective the fence is and how good the dog is at protecting your livestock .The more you depend on your livestock for food the more important it is that you get sound advice and make the right choices.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I realize this is an older thread, but I'd like to promote Shelties as LGDs. I have two, and while they would be no match in a down-and-out battle with a coyote or several, we have been able to free range for over ten years with just one on guard duty, and have recently added a second, as our first one is aging a bit. Because of them, coyotes are almost never a problem. I once saw Gracie chase three off at once, although they then attempted to lure her off the property for their own nefarious purposes. She patrols the perimeter of the property, leaving her scat as a deterrent to all to stay away. Our property, ten acres, is not fenced, but she never wanders. Nor does Sammy, the 3-yo neutered male. They keep stray dogs away and alert to announce intruders and visitors alike, but never bite. Squirrels are high up on the Not Welcome list. They sleep inside, as the chickens are securely locked in a predator-proof coop at night. They are tough, hardy, easy keepers, and may I also say they are uncommonly beautiful although I may be slightly prejudiced.

 

[4Henny]

Yes this is exactly where I am at. I currently own a very large incubator and raise my own chicks and am in the process of expanding my flock through my own stock. 16 is the smallest my flock has been in awhile and we are not happy about it one bit. Also plan on adding livestock to my property soon. My husband and I are semi self sufficient and planning on full self sufficiency on our property and are raising our own meat and growing a garden. We don’t work full time jobs too be able to do this. We don’t live the same lives of convenience most people do currently. These aren’t just pets to me, these are a food source. A good lgd is expensive yes but a great investment for someone in my situation. Just because they don’t completely stop casualties doesn’t mean they aren’t useful. The cost of a dog is not a problem to me, and I think what it will add over time would be worth it. I really appreciate that you listed breeds that would be better suited for a smaller acreage because now I have a better idea of what to look for and that I need to stay away from traditional lgds.

Straw Hat,
I live on a small rural property and free range my chickens. I lose one about every year to a fox. Always in the daytime. In the days following the loss, my husband hides with a rifle. The fox always comes back. The world is short one fox. The other foxes apparently think about this for a about a year before one will try again. I dont like to kill random animals but once a predator has killed a chicken, they will not stop. Just my experience. Good luck.