What breed of dog protects chickens?

[Little Farm Girl]

What breed or mixed breed of dog if any will kill or scare of like Coyotes, opossums, foxes, dogs, etc? We have 115 chickens on 2 of our 7 acres, laying hens sleep in the barn with a chainlink fence yard around it, there is an additional 6ft chainlink fence pen attached to the back of the barn with its own little shelter, and then we have breeding pens behind the barn, we also have chickens in our 4 ft chain link fence backyard, gates are always closed, and birds are always locked up at night and free range in day. Attacks always happen at night, all areas with chickens have been attacked at least once. We have cameras, but they never see where the attack happens. Will a dog protect the chickens at night, if so what breed do we need to get? And do we have to have 2, or is 1 ok?

And yes, we know that LGD need intense training and won't be able to protect until they are adults.

Thanks for your time and opinions!

 

[Grwldog]

Think about an Alert, Big and protective dog. Maybe something like a doberman Or a bullmastiff. Whichever suits your liking!

 

[Little Farm Girl]

We were thinking maybe a German shepherd, Great Pyrenees Mix???

 

[Grwldog]

We were thinking maybe a German shepherd, Great Pyrenees Mix???

Those breeds will also be great

 

[Little Farm Girl]

Will the dog(after being well trained) stay on our property?

 

[Grwldog]

Will the dog(after being well trained) stay on our property?

Sure it will. Dogs are known to be loyal to their owners

 

[Willowspirit]

I recommend a natural herding/protection breed. The anato lian shepherd is well known for being independent enough on its own to protect livestock. You can even get an adult rescue. I

Dobermans were bred for personal protection and aren't useful with livestock without a lot of training.

 

[rjohns39]

Mine is a Great Pyrenees mix. I got him when he was two, so he was pretty much set in his ways. Unfortunately, he views anything with four legs or four wheels as a predator. It's also important to know that LGDs exercise independent thought, which can often over rule commands. I have a friend who trained his Pyrenees from a puppy and it doesn't have the issues mine does. So they can learn to follow commands.

 

[Bamabexchicks]

Mine is a Great Pyrenees mix. I got him when he was two, so he was pretty much set in his ways. Unfortunately, he views anything with four legs or four wheels as a predator. It's also important to know that LGDs exercise independent thought, which can often over rule commands. I have a friend who trained his Pyrenees from a puppy and it doesn't have the issues mine does. So they can learn to follow commands.

They can learn if you raise them from pups, but are remarkably stubborn! We go round and round about not chasing chickens, and my RIRs will bow up and peck her right in the face...doesn't phase her. It a work in progress.

 

[Doublete]

Not sure where you are in the country but here in this area we have particularly bred LGD that live out with their flock or herd and do not go in the house. It’s their job and purpose to protect.

FYI German shepherds probably not... they are working dogs but not on that respect