Livestock guard dog question

[robyn8]

We have a 8 month old Pyr we plan to use as mostly pet / farm dog, but hopefully also guardian to our chickens and later on some goats. He is definitely more attached to us humans (which is fine, we love having him as a family pet even if he never guards the livestock) but he does try to guard as much of our property as he can get to...mostly by wandering around barking and sitting up on a hill looking out. He doesn't really get that he's supposed to guard the chickens yet, but does sometimes include their area when he walks around...they aren't that far from the house where he concentrates most of his time.

We lost a chick to a hawk when they were out a few weeks ago and he was locked in the basement (we were at work and don't leave him out when we are gone). Since we lost the chick I've only been letting them out in their uncovered pasture area when we are home and the dog is out and we've had no problems since.

My question is even if he can't get into the chicken pasture (5 foot chicken wire fencing, 18 x 24 foot area), and doesn't know he's supposed to look for hawks or guard the chickens, will just his frequent barking keep the hawks away?

Thanks!

 

[sourland]

It is very likely that once predators realize he can't get into the pasture they will attempt to get your birds. Predators are generally smart and adaptive.

 

[chickens really]

I have three trained Dogs to watch my Birds...I have Chickens and Ducks....Maremma, Golden Retriever/Aussie and a Yorkie that wrangles birds....
Yesterday was pure devastation....I had my Dogs locked in my Basement because they were barking too much...My Birds were out free ranging without protection....Fox came and took two Chicks that were raised by my Broody Hen...
Yes, always have your Dog out to protect your flock...My Maremma also sits on a hill and only Barks alerts...My Golden Retriever/ Aussie chases and patrols my property..She found my Call Drake that flew away during the attack and brought him home alive...She herded him back through the bush....My Yorkie chased off the Fox as it carried away a Chick...

 

[robyn8]

It is very likely that once predators realize he can't get into the pasture they will attempt to get your birds. Predators are generally smart and adaptive.

so how do people let the dog in and not let the chickens out? or do people just not pasture them and free range them? my reason to pasture and not free range was I didn't want them leaving my property and going out of the dogs reach. and I don't want the dog stuck in just the chicken pasture either...hmm...what to do?

 

[robyn8]

Do you

I have three trained Dogs to watch my Birds...I have Chickens and Ducks....Maremma, Golden Retriever/Aussie and a Yorkie that wrangles birds....
Yesterday was pure devastation....I had my Dogs locked in my Basement because they were barking too much...My Birds were out free ranging without protection....Fox came and took two Chicks that were raised by my Broody Hen...
Yes, always have your Dog out to protect your flock...My Maremma also sits on a hill and only Barks alerts...My Golden Retriever/ Aussie chases and patrols my property..She found my Call Drake that flew away during the attack and brought him home alive...She herded him back through the bush....My Yorkie chased off the Fox as it carried away a Chick...

Do your birds get out of reach of your dogs? Meaning outside your property or their boundaries? Or dog the dogs always heard them back in?

 

[chickens really]

so how do people let the dog in and not let the chickens out? or do people just not pasture them and free range them? my reason to pasture and not free range was I didn't want them leaving my property and going out of the dogs reach. and I don't want the dog stuck in just the chicken pasture either...hmm...what to do?

My Chickens all free range in a fenced in area...The Chicks can still pop through the fence and Momma is weaning them...

 

[robyn8]

My Chickens all free range in a fenced in area...The Chicks can still pop through the fence and Momma is weaning them...

so are the dogs in the fenced in area too then?

 

[chickens really]

Do you


Do your birds get out of reach of your dogs? Meaning outside your property or their boundaries? Or dog the dogs always heard them back in?

My Dogs always keep my Birds within boundaries ...Bindi gets pretty serious herding them back and attacks anything that does not belong.....

 

[chickens really]

so are the dogs in the fenced in area too then?

No, it's a temp fence so my dogs can crawl under...it more of a deterrent than safe fencing ...It keeps all my Chickens in one spot...Too much bush around my property...Fox was here just 10 minutes ago when I put the Dogs in for Breakfast...Maremma chased him down my driveway my Hens are going bonkers again.....

 

[robyn8]

No, it's a temp fence so my dogs can crawl under...it more of a deterrent than safe fencing ...It keeps all my Chickens in one spot...Too much bush around my property...Fox was here just 10 minutes ago when I put the Dogs in for Breakfast...Maremma chased him down my driveway my Hens are going bonkers again.....

hmm i'll have to think on this. I want the chickens safe but fencing is expensive. maybe we could add a doggy door that the chickens would be afraid to go through.