Predator Problem

[robert_town]

I've been facing a problem with my poultry firm. About 200 of my layers have stolen by a predator(s) and about 200 more others have been killed. It has become horrible since winter has started. Last month, I installed security cameras around my firm but couldn't find the actual solution. Hunting continues. According to one of my friend's opinion, I should bring some guards for them. I think this can be a great idea if I bring some hunting dogs as a Savior. What do you think? Which one should I spend dollars on? The English Pointer or The American Pitbull?

 

[sourland]

What is/are the predators. As bird dogs, I doubt that an English Pointer would be a good choice.

 

[The Lazy L]

Get and install some trail cams around your coops. Can't stop what you don't know what you are looking for.

 

[RubelliteRose]

I wouldn't think either of those breeds would be good as a chicken guard dog. The pointer's job is to alert the hunter to the prey's location, not attack the prey itself. A pitbull aggressive enough to go after the predator (many are not, they can be very sweet and submissive), may not discriminate between predator and chicken. With that many chickens, I would invest in a trained Livestock Guardian Dog. They are bred, raised and trained to protect a flock. Yes, they are more expensive, but cheaper than losing so many birds. You could also look at some of the herding breeds. They would be less likely to attack your flock if they are trained and may go after the predator. At the very least, they would alert you to the presence of the predators.
I do hope you find out what is attacking your flock! That can make all the difference in what you use to protect them.

 

[Howard E]

Normal death loss report on BYC is more like 4 birds.....not 400. You are in a different class of grower than most.

That said, what is your operation. How many birds total and what type of housing are you providing. Photos and description of the operation would help. More questions to follow once you fill in some details.

And where are you located? If nothing else, in general (state or country).

 

[cmom]

I've been facing a problem with my poultry firm. About 200 of my layers have stolen by a predator(s) and about 200 more others have been killed. It has become horrible since winter has started. Last month, I installed security cameras around my firm but couldn't find the actual solution. Hunting continues. According to one of my friend's opinion, I should bring some guards for them. I think this can be a great idea if I bring some hunting dogs as a Savior. What do you think? Which one should I spend dollars on? The English Pointer or The American Pitbull?

I don't have an operation like you have. I maintain around 200 birds but have had as many as around 500 birds. I have electric wires around my coops and pens, concrete under the gates and good heavy duty netting covering my pens which are around 12,000 sq. ft. I don't free range any more due to losses in the past. My land is mostly open pasture. Not knowing where you live and what predators you are dealing with would help. Remember if you get a guard animal they may not be able to protect the number of birds you have and it would have to be trained. You can't just get a dog and expect it to protect your birds. Predators will lurk and you probably won't even see them. They will lurk and look for an opportunity and usually will find it. I love my electric wires and so far nothing has penetrated. I have several cameras up on my property and see predators quite regularly on them. I love my cameras and electric wires. Here are some links with great information. Good luck... Thanks to @Howard E, he put together an excellent thread on electric fencing.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-treatise-on-electric-fencing.1117877/
http://www.plamondon.com/wp/faq-simple-electric-fences-chickens/

 

[50-45-1]

Getting the right temperament of dog that will look to run of preditors and not kill the chickens itself is not always an easy thing. It does not sound like you have time for this kind of solution.
Beef up your run, electric fencing works for most 4 legged critters. It Will not work for Raptors or weasels.
Secure your birds in overnight coops that have no opening larger than half inch.
Chickens have zero defences and can only run and hide. At night with no night vision they are helpless
With that many losses, ile bet you have multiple preditor types taking advantage of opportunities for free lunch.

 

[CluckerFamily]

That is horrible to lose so many chickens.
What does your set up look like? Is your coop predator proof? Does your run have an electric fence, if it does, the attack are coming from the air and you may need netting added.