We have our land divided into three pens, each with 5' fence surrounding it. The birds free range inside each of the respective pens (some birds free disregard the pens completley, and go where they want). We are going to get a livestock dog. How have you all worked your pens / fencing to allow the dog access to the entire property? The pens are stacked, two of the fences are "internal", I was thinking of putting "doggy doors" into the fencing. Would the dog be smart enough, and the chickens and turkeys not smart enough to use those? Will the dog need access outside the pens too? We are on 4.5 acres, with a small house, and about 2 acres of fenced in pens.
I don't know if this will help or not, but if you want a dog to protect your chickens, the dog should be able to have access all the way around the fencing.
thats what i was going to say. he needs to be able to check around everything. best if he could go around the entire property without any obstacles and make sure its all clear. preventing anything from getting close enough to even try getting through the pens(if hes good).
You mean the kind with flaps to push thru? Maybe. Dog could be trained, and birds probably not strong enough to push tru. LGD's take mucho training - good training, and probably can't be trusted alone with birds for a year or two if you start with a puppy.....if you get an older dog, no telling how long if ever he can be trusted not to eat birds.
They have doggy doors that require the dog to be wearing a collar for it to open, stops predators and the birds as only the dog has the key...