What breed of dog protects chickens?

[SurferchickinSB]

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!

I would probably start from a puppy and get maybe a herding breed or one of the breeds that protects your property. My dogs always know what is my stuff and they do not touch it. I just think it is easier to start from a puppy that has acquired no bad habits that you have to train out. Keep the dog with you at all times as you go about your chores etc.., it should learn really fast and once that one is trained, it would be nice to get a second one, so they can keep each other’s company.

 

[10urbanchicks]

LOL, Sounds like you need a donkey for the Coyotes, and dog for the other predetors

 

[Little Farm Girl]

LOL, Sounds like you need a donkey for the Coyotes, and dog for the other predetors

We already have a donkey and a mule, they are useless, lol.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Start it from pup the younger the better ... take it daily to chickens never raise a hand please, assured tones will keep all calm a leash is advised they will love chicken poop..
Crazy white dog phase stay calm easier to say than to do start with a pup

 

[Willowspirit]

We already have a donkey and a mule, they are useless, lol.

 

[Blingchix6]

My chicken breeder in Kirtland Ohio has an Akbash. He’s a Turkish dog but he speaks flawless English. His name is Enzo and he is beautiful. Takes good care of his birds

 

[Farmer jr]

Try a donkey or a llama they are a lot better then dogs and a donkey will kill a coyote

 

[danceswithronin]

I would use a Great Pyrenees and read up on how to bond the dog to the flock instead of yourself.

 

[horses56]

hi i have an anato lian shepard I have started to train her tobprotect the chickens because at first she chased one underneath our fence and tried to kill it.so if you do yry to get an anato lian shepard make sure to train them well.

 

[Willowspirit]

I just saw a Great Pyranees in rescue locally. She seems like agreat dog for us. She even prefers being outside to inside! She's older too. But five dogs is a lot right?