Looking into getting Great Pyrenees for guarding chickens

[Theeggboxtoo]

Also how do they do with protecting against hawks? That is a big predator in the area I am moving to.

Mine has protected mine against hawks and eagles very well. We tried to free-range before we got him and we were losing a bird every day. After we got him the eagles and hawks have stayed away. We only have 2 acres and our (un-fixed) GP male has not wandered yet. He never killed any birds and he breaks up rooster fights

. We just got two goat kids and he did great with them without any training. (Surprisingly since he's only a year old)

 

[a123andpoof]

Thats good to hear! I hope if I can start young enough I can train him to stay on the property. And if I have problems, I will do some kind of fence. Many people say that fences will keep predators out, and maybe they would keep animals out but a fence ain't going to keep a human out. Anyways thanks for all the help. Any more advice is helpful in my research!

 

[dainerra]

the only problem with this plan is that the first time he wanders out could easily be his last. Traffic, hunters, poison and traps are a horrible way for a dog to die.

 

[chickenzoo]

I think everyone is just making sure you know all the bad before the good... Hehe. I love this breed and always let people know the bad so their is no surprises if they still get one. Huge holes, bark a lot at night, like to wander, hard headed..... Etc etc.... That is the number one reason people get rid of GPs... Because they wander. Most of mine will stay in the the field fence pastures.... My one however is giving me a run for my money with Hotwire, fencing wire etc etc. trying to keep him on my 16 acres. I would never get a GP with out good fencing. Once they make it past their first year of puppyhood they are out with all my animals full time.... Birds included. As puppy's they are supervised with the animals, and when I'm in and out the house the puppy's are on the run line, so they interact but not run after for a distance. When I am gone, they are put up in their own area but where they can be next to the animals. I do socialize my dogs to people I know but not other dogs etc... I do not want them to see other dogs that don't live here as ok. They are partners here on the farm but I also want vet visits to be safe for all involved.
There seems to be two types of guardian dogs needed as people become more interested in animals and farming but may not have hundreds of acres to turn the guardian out to live with the animals in isolation for the most part. Their seems to be a need for a guardian that is part family dog, part property guardian and then livestock guardian. My GPs are more in this category..... A break in a sense from true livestock guardians that are often by themselves with the livestock on hundred acre large farms. Some regular bred or mix bred dogs may be better suited as family pets, guardian.... But my Gps, although not treated as pets like normal house dogs, are a part of the family and do a great job with the critters. They are also great with young children. Very loyal, very careful, very kind dogs and also protective.

 

[dainerra]

chickenzoo, I think it's pretty common. How many breeds still fulfill their original purpose? How many German Shepherds herd? How many labs and goldens go hunting? That the GP can adapt to a slightly different job means that they will stay around for a long time

People do need to hear the bad. Everyone knows the good things about a dog, but they never seem to think of the bad. Like a puppy in general. Everyone knows the sweet face and all the fun of having a puppy. They don't think about 3am trips out to potty, picky eaters, holes to China in the yard...

 

[a123andpoof]

I realize the bad, and plan on seeing what I can do for fencing when I move out there. Will get something up either before the puppy comes or within the first year.

And I do know the bad. I have a dachshund. If any of you have ever owned one you should know what they are like...if you haven't well they are a peice of work. They act more cat like. They don't listen, and do what they want. I know what stubborn dogs are like, and know that I can handle it. And thats after puppy training. She listens to 1 person. Everyone else is just people to wait on her. I believe all the training in the world and she still would do what she wants unless theirs a treat involved

So I am leaning towards a some fencing around the area of the chickens, and then a seperate kennel for the dog as a puppy and then an area of it to retreat to at night, or even just watch the chickens during the day.

 

[chickenzoo]

It is good you are asking advice and have had difficult dogs. But remember a difficult hot dog and a difficult 100 lb plus Gp can be a whole lot of worlds apart, hehe. Not only to you but towards others. If you are willing to put the time in, they are great dogs. Start early with the training.... Or better yet if you can find a young one close to a year already trained with birds and start with them.... Save you a lot of time and hair pulling....hehe. . They are great dogs and you will enjoy them.

 

[verity]

I can't help myself --- have to get in on this discussion even tho I have never had a GP --- we do have a neighbor with one and he is lovely --- except for all that barking at night! --- (the dog, not the neighbor!)

The OP is doing a great job of planning and doing research --

I can add something from my experience --- if you can train a super intelligent and hard-headed dachshund then you are well on the way to being a stellar trainer!
(doxies are my favorite breed -- but it is hard to have dogs smarter than I am!)

to the OP -- your local Agriculture Extension group may be of some help as you collect data ---

 

[Mzyla]

If you lucky enough to get GP from decent blood-lines with a history of being poultry friendly, that would be a big benefit in your future training of said puppy.
Puppy need to be introduced to the birds from his first days of life.
It is very difficult to make any dog "birds friendly" when he is already teenager and never been around poultry before.

As some of LGD's despise being confined either within fences or being tied up, the Great Pyr is peacefully accepting being on a long rope (about 15 feet) for a few hours.
If you tie him every day consistently for certain amount of hrs., when you go to school, he will accept it and get use to it.
Pyrs won't stay within smallish fenced area. They do find their way out; either dig under or jump over, so the rope is the way to go.

Despite that "experts" may say opposite, GP could be both at the same time: family pets and poultry guardians.
Just balance it two of those things wisely.

My puppies are 5 days old today and I'm introducing them to poultry from a day one.
Although they cannot see yet, but they do hear and they do sense whats going on around them.



Best of luck to you!

 

[a123andpoof]

Thanks, and that is one thing I am being careful about. Both breeders I am looking at use their dogs for their livestock. One of the breeders said once you purchase the puppy if you tell them it will be used for livestock they will put it outside, and if it is to be indoors they will be putting it inside and getting them used to people. The other breeder said nothing of the sort to either of these, but once I am closer to the purchase I will be talking to both, finding out bloodlines and such.

I will be getting as young as possible, part of my training will be each morning the pup goes into the coop with me while I do the morning chores same with each night. His area will be right next to the run. throughout the day at various intervals walking through the run letting him sniff and get to know them, while making sure he isn't getting mouthy or being a threat. And in there will be just very basic manners training. He may be outdoors but I won't put up with a dog that won't listen to at least me. that is my biggest pet peeve with the dachshund, I don't do what she wants so she refuses to listen to me no matter how hard I try. I took her to puppy school, I walked her, I did all the basic training and yet...she only listens to my mom. though out of everyone in the family she chooses me and my mom. But it was my parents dog to begin with.
I figure since I will do EVERYTHING with and for this dog we should bond well enough he will at least (hopefully) listen to me. Is this asking to much? I know I need to be gentle but stern. and I believe every dog is trainable, some just need different tactics then others.

So are you then saying to tie him up once grown in with the chickens when I am not able to watch?

Okay so as for fencing as that seems to be very improtant. Does it need to be sturdy, or as long as there are no gaps will he realize his boundries. Like would chicken wire keep him in or are they the type to try hard to get out and just easily knock it down? If so if I were to use fencing like above poster in picture what hieght would be needed? Is there a fencing that looks nice but would serve it's purpose? my dad wants to put up a simple white fence, would that work to keep him on the property? Maybe string some type of wire through the cracks? Or will they jump?