New dog?

[Fishkeeper]

Pit bulls are one with a higher prey drive. They can be wonderful, sweet dogs, and they aren't really any more likely to attack an owner (there are other breeds of much higher concern), but they do tend to be more of a concern around small animals.

 

[cmom]

I agree with the others. I believe it's how you raise and train the dog. I don't have any dogs but have in the past, there are a couple of Great Pyrenees that roam around on my property. I have seen them during the day but mostly at night on one of my game cameras. I have no idea who they belong to. I have asked some of my neighbors but they didn't know either. I have my birds pretty well protected, heavy duty netting over the pens for the aerials, concrete under the gates for the diggers and electric wires around my coops and pens for any predators who want to dig or climb. I also see predators most nights on at least one of my game cameras.

Coyote

 

[llombardo]

What we really want is a golden retriever because they are wonderful on so many levels, we are just concerned with the safety of our chickens. They free range all year except winter because of our harsh winters. Is it really true that golden retrievers are not a good idea around chickens? We also have 3 roosters

I have two golden retrievers and 3 german shepherds(plus a couple others..lol)

The dogs are not with the chickens but they do a good job keeping predators away.

The only one I would trust with the chickens is the older golden. The younger golden has a high prey drive. So it all depends on the dog. My youngest golden was raised with cats for 4 years and he tried killing the cat he was raised with--never saw that coming. So be careful and supervise.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Most everything has been said already, but I'll just contribute some experience:

I grew up with two beagles (one was a cross) that were around chickens constantly. Both dogs would kill rats, raccoons, and rabbits, and one of them got a blue heron at one point (yeeaah. Not admitting that one to the game warden.) but only one of the two ever killed a chicken, and he was a puppy at the time.

So just being a hunting breed doesn't mean they'll attack chickens.

 

[Folly's place]

The right retriever, with good training, is likely to work out very well for you. With fencing, and training!
Goldens have a lot of hair, and need more grooming than labs for that reason. Temperament and health issues vary, so choose carefully. A puppy with lots of old polite relatives is ideal!
Terriers of any sort are more difficult as far as managing their prey drive; doable, but harder.
Herding breeds tend to be very smart and high energy, and can want to herd everything including children. Also most have a heavier hair coat. And chickens don't really need herding!
Post pictures when you find your new dog!
Mary

 

[chickens really]

What we really want is a golden retriever because they are wonderful on so many levels, we are just concerned with the safety of our chickens. They free range all year except winter because of our harsh winters. Is it really true that golden retrievers are not a good idea around chickens? We also have 3 roosters

I have a Golden Retriver/Aussie cross and she is fantastic with Birds. She chases off Fox and Coyotes. Loves all my company and is not a wandering dog. My yard is not fenced. She patrols 7 acres. I also have a Maremma and he is definitely aloof with strangers. They are hard to train commands but are good with livestock.
I'd get the Golden Retriver.

 

[Momma*chicken]

Here is the dog we decided on, and she is a rescue! Lab/German shepherd mix

 

[Folly's place]

Good for you, and she is super cute!
Mary

 

[Momma*chicken]

Good for you, and she is super cute!
Mary

Thank u!