LGD experts need advise, war is on

[tdgill]

I think it's still a good idea to work with your german shepherd. Even if you don't count on him to be protection, he needs to be trained to leave chickens alone. And it sounds like he enjoys playing with toys, soft ones especially. Get him some new soft balls, or anything like stuffed toys but NOT anything that looks like animals. I am not an experienced trainer but the way I trained my dog was to "correct him" anytime he looked at or showed interest in the chicks. I used the tssst! sound and finger poke in the neck - quick like a bite - whenever he stuck his nose in or when he got that "too interested" look in his eye. Your dog is young and sounds like he needs to be exercised before chicken time and to get it out of his head that chickens are play toys. Whatever else you do, keep working with your gs and maybe he will be trustworthy someday soon. You could even hide out and watch him to correct him as soon as he starts paying attention to the birds. I don't even let my dog get started if you know what i mean.

 

[Toseen farm]

rats of all sort are killing my chicken daily

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Quote: I suppose you mean LGD.
That would NOT be a good idea at all.
They are not bred to "guard" chickens, and shouldn't be allowed to run loose..
They take 2 years to mature, but only about 6 months to reach 90% of their adult size, and the last thing most people need is a 100 lb puppy

LGD breeds should be reserved for real livestock, contained in pastures

 

[trailchick]

Many poultry do use LGD's for their flock, me included.....
And they will swear by them.

 

[jime]

Thanks to everybody for the ideas and suggestions.
Centarchid: actually I read your story with your GSH and it was the one that inspire me to try my German Shepherd if a bird dog can do it why not a herding dog, I am aware that will take training but I am willing to give it a try. I have about 40 birds.
I will have to see what I can do with the electric fencing , I have them already Just have to figure out how to get them out of HOA and neighbour's view, is amazing that with 10 acres I still have to deal with rules.One friends was suggesting to hot wire (horse or cattle type) on top of all the property fencing 2 hot wires up and 2 down on each side of the fencing so they can not dig under and they can not jump.
Yesterday the 2 big dogs were out the whole day o casualties from the GS but I have him on a long leash when I went in the house.
The red fox has not return jet I guess is getting over the big scare that the horses and GS put on him , he got kick and bit in one day I think was a bit to take.
The chickens are a bit more precautions now they are rooming y the house now and not by the open field.
The weather is not helping today sine we had snow last night and we are suppose to have more today but tomorrow will start the direct training with the chickens.
When the Newfi goes I will get me a LGD. This as the plan all along even before having chickens, I will get one because I like big dogs and a bit more sedentary.But still have to see maybe my husband decided to get another doberman and the that one will have to be train as well.

 

[kynewbchickie]

We have a pit bull pup that we're training to leave the chickens alone by way of shock collar. I can't do it, I don't like it at all, but if it keeps him from killing my birds then I'm all for it. He's just one dog, and last week we had several coyotes chase our tomcat into the backyard from a neighboring field around 11pm. I shot a .22 round into their midst to disperse them, which worked for the night...but they have since come back. Last night, I turned the dog loose. Even though my chickens stay cooped at night for safety reasons, I won't have my tomcat who patrols for rodents and mice killed - I raised him on a bottle from 3 weeks of age and he's now 2 years old and doesn't go near the birds, which I find very funny, yet interesting - and he's invaluable on that note. Torryn (our pit) took off like a shot towards the coyotes, growling and raising cane. The coyotes all jumped back over the fence and took off; our dog stopped at the fence and looked back at me like, "did I do a good job, Mom?"

Training methods vary for dogs, but I encourage you to not give up. Where my husband raised both pit bulls and parlor roller pigeons with his stepfather for over 20 years, he swears by his method in training the dogs to stay away from the birds - so I'm letting him do it. So far, so good...no more overzealous playing or cruelty towards the chickens that get out of their enclosed pasture.

 

[jime]

I am going the same route I got the collar yesterday and will start with that tomorrow and see how he does. I don't like it either but him be so smart will figure it out fast, I hope he can not figure out that only works when I push the bottom because then it won't work

.
Will be great if you can let me know how the training go.
I have 3 coyotes as well but they came at night when the animals are close in their coop so I have no trouble with them but the fox , she is a 5:30 pm girl always at the same time.I say she because she is heavy loaded in the udders (do you use that word in english as well in other animals beside cows)sorry.

 

[coloradoalice]

I suppose you mean LGD.
That would NOT be a good idea at all.
They are not bred to "guard" chickens, and shouldn't be allowed to run loose..
They take 2 years to mature, but only about 6 months to reach 90% of their adult size, and the last thing most people need is a 100 lb puppy

LGD breeds should be reserved for real livestock, contained in pastures

Yes, I mean livestock guardian dog. Lots of us around here use them for chickens. I have a Pyrenees, started him on our chickens at 12 weeks old when we were losing chickens to coyotes. Haven't had one problem since he took over guarding the area the chickens range in.

 

[jime]

Coloradoalice: You still have your chickens inside a net area?
Will this to help the dog with smaller space less to run and catch the coyote I guess.

 

[coloradoalice]

Jime, I just realized we are in the same town!! How funny!

My chickens free range one acre and the dog patrols inside that one acre. It is entirely fenced so the dog stays in the chickens territory at all times. He's never had to fight a coyote, his patroling and doing what Pyrenees do, which is bark and bark and bark around the perimeter has kept them all away. They come close but they don't dare come in the yard anymore.