thinking about getting an Anatolian Shepherd to guard my flock???

[willkatdawson]

I've been free ranging my flock for four years now, and up until now had only lost one hen to an owl. They free-range from sun up until they go in at dusk. Over the past 1~1/2 months I've lost 3 of my hens. One of them had an hidden nest in the woods, and all I found, once I found the nest was tons of eggs with holes chewed in them. A raccoon got her and her eggs I suppose. Five weeks ago as the flock was milling around by the coop after a morning thunderstorm, my first hen was taken. I kept the flock in lock-down for about 3 weeks. My husband (who's not a hunter) had been trying to kill what ever it was that killed our girl. I recorded a chicken in distress call from a hunting site, and sure enough a grey fox came across the horse pasture right for the coop. He took two shots at it, but it was pretty much dark at that point, so he doesn't think he got it. I did set up my wildlife cam and got a photo of a coyote crossing the bridge headed for the coop. We can tell by the trail of feathers that it's going under the horse gate and across the field, through a low point in the field fencing and up our mountain, but that's where we loose the trail. After 3 weeks of lock-down we decided to let the FR again, and they did for 1~1/2 weeks, then 3 evenings ago it came back and took another hen.
Do any of you have any experience with Anatolian Shepherd guard dogs? I know the reason I haven't lost any chickens for all these years is due to the fact we have 3 very large shepherd mix dogs in the yard with the flock. Problem is, they are all getting old at the same time, and aren't spry enough to go bounding down the hill at the first sound anymore.
I've found a breeder in Fla that has some pups trained with water fowl, but all I know about the breed is that they are very driven and can be aloof. Any info you can give would be great!
Thanks

 

[2overeasy000]

They are natural flock guardians. Mostly, used for sheep I believe. But, if you do the introduction correctly, it seems like a natural fit for chickens too. As far as being aloof, I would say independent. They are used to thinking for themselves without human direction so being independent thinkers is a big benefit. I think it is much more about how you train them than the breed itself. We have a Bullmastiff. Everything that is written about them is that they: do not getting along well with other dogs, are not good around small animals, are very stubborn and don't listen well. Well, she gets along with other dogs great. Spends all day out with the chickens with no problems. And, picks up new tricks faster than any other dog I've been around.
So, my point is, yes it sounds like a good breed to go with. But, don't just count on the breed. You need to train the dog.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Unless your property is fully fenced, you'd be better off with a dog from the pound and some traps
LGD's are not good "yard dogs", and most any type of dog can do what you want

The true LGD breeds are more suited for goats and sheep rather than poultry, and they don't behave like your average dog

http://www.bountifulfarm.com/lgd_seminar.htm

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Well I have one. I did not get her as a pup, but got her as an adult. She had been an alpca guard.

She is a wonderful and great dog. The only bird I lost to her, can be traced directly back to me for being my fault. I picked up the dead bird and shook it at her, in a scornful voice told her that it was my chicken and she was never to touch them again.


She is not bonded to my birds, but has free range on the property 24/7 and my birds are out and about with her. Currently I have hords of baby chicks running around - sometimes they stay with their mothers and sometimes they squeeze out of the fence and roam with the dogs - the only things chicks have to fear is being stepped on. I also have geese and call ducks - also out and about on the property. When feeding the birds scraps or stuff from the house, she has learned like the other dogs to wait until the birds leave the area and then the dogs get what is left.

She is not a chicken food eater - (our other dogs are

)


While we did not raise her, she responds to her name everytime called - which surprised me, and still does. She gets along with our "house dogs" - a cane corso and border collie. She is soft and gentle - and I think she would really like to be a house dog, but I wanted an outside dog - poor Tui.


She does great with our horses.



She viciously hates other dogs, other four legged animals and I have not seen a coyote walk down our road since she got here. Yes I still hear them at night, but Tui is quick to let them know she is on patrol.


She has never met a person she did not like.


Her hearing is beyond incredible and she has a nose like a bloodhound - in her first few months here, she dug up stuff that the other dogs had missed

In a year or so, I would like to get a pup and bond it with the birds.


Dog proof fencing is a must - as LGD will claim and roam all territory they can see without a barrier to make their property.



I also found this to be helpful: http://www.anatoliandog.org/poultry.htm


eta: this is where our dog was born, and they have some info on their site that might be helpful (I do not know these people and have never spoken with them, only have a dog from their breeding) http://www.possumhollowfarms.com/



The three dogs keeping the fence safe from cows