What creature will defend against chicken predators?

[kaddidle]

But I also have absolutely no doubt in my mind that once the chase starts in earnest and their "lizard brain" takes over their instincts will over-ride training they will kill any cat they chase and catch outdoors. It's my job as a responsible dog owner to make sure they don't get that chance. I'll get off my soap box now and I hope I haven't offended anyone as it was not my intent, it's just a very sensitive subject for me as I've seen far too many dogs suffer and/or die because of their previous owner's ignorance or laziness.

Ditto that.​

 

[littledel]

Didn't mean to start any debates here, the reason I got the Aussies were for their intelligence, and I tried to train them to leave the poultry alone but they just acted like totally wild animals towards my stuff. I understand the difference between herd dogs and guardian dogs. I had pyrs for 12 years and they were great around my animals, but mine liked to roam too much. Could not keep them in a fenced 10 acre area, would dig out constantly to go traipsing around the countryside. Now I just have my chihuahua that is the biggest coward around. LOL

 

[macdoogle]

I'm new to all of this. I put my 5 week old chicks into their new inclousure only to have my own dog take them out. Very sad. How do you train a dog to leave the chickens alone? I feel she, the dog, will alert me to other predetors, but I feel a good fence and multiple layers of fencing is the trick.

 

[macdoogle]

I also have an Aussie. She is good with my cockatiels and with the cat. would never hurt them. Is it something about chickens that brings out another instinct.

 

[kaddidle]

Prey drive is something that all dogs have in varying degrees, and it's unfortunate most of the time, unless you need a dog to kill vermin or help with hunting. I'm new to keeping chickens but old to dog training. Chickens and especially baby chicks can bring out prey drive in a lot of dogs. I had a four week old ACD/pitbull puppy that I was bottle feeding who desperately wanted to snatch up one of the feathery toys that he saw walking around.

 

[mooSa]

would a german shepard or k9 work? I want foxes taken care of.

 

[Chickielady]

we have not had issues at all of predators.
we do have a black lab that lives in the 1 acre chicken yard/orchard.
but what I want to know is how are these predators getting into your henhouse at night ?
There is no way any predator/rat/mouse/or other animals could get into or out of my henhouse.
I lock it up tight at night, and open it up when I wake up in the morning.
lights go on inside on a timer so the girls are always laying eggs , dust batheing, or having breakfast when I go out in the morning to let them out.
So how are these predators getting into your henhouse at night ?

make it predater proof !

 

[turkey guru]

tell me about the kill, head on or head off, feathers every where? no feathers! owls are great for getting in small holes!! weasel can go threw 2" wire tom!!!

 

[mooSa]

no my coop is pred proof, the problem is when they roam free, usually early in the morning i see a darn fox and he see me then he just goes away. The area is not yet fenced off but it will be in a month or so. Well my question is, will an ostrich attack humans and predators if it is train properly?

 

[horsejody]

Quote:
My neighbor used to raise ostriches. Large dogs can kill an ostrich. I wouldn't count on them for predator control.