What do you use to guard your flock?

[jjdward]

Here is Pellet

He is right by my side when I go down to the chicken pens. If he hears anything down there, he is down there to investigate.

This is Leroy. He doesn't bother the chickens. But on the other hand, he does nothing else either.

Then there is Wimpy. He looks at the chickens like they are aliens and he wants nothing to do with them. He is 20lbs and is to lazy to bother. Here he is. I think he went broody.

And last but least, is Stinky Pete. He "stalks" the chickens but they don't pay him any attention. The geese love to bite his tail. Its almost like they play together. Even though the geese are about 5 times his size.

 

[ruth]

Took this pic this evening at one of the feeding stations - all six dogs were there - two GPs, two GSDs - one Catahola - one Min Pin.

Rex, as always, watching the sky for hawks. Scarlett, as always, watching the baby chicks. Even Addicus and Scout were there - they are getting better each day and can now be allowed off leash (but I still supervise the two of them).

 

[PunkinPeep]

Oh that reminds me, I was asking for advice earlier (specifically from you, Ruth) about a dog to be my companion and chicken guardian. We finally picked a 5 month old puppy who is supposed to be a German Shepherd, Collie, Lab mix. We didn't care that she isn't purebred. We love her personality. She is low-key but very alert and very smart. She is learning commands easily.

I have been attempting to socialize her to the chicks who are now 12 days old, but so far she sniffs and then runs away. I'm hoping that's a good sign - that she isn't agressive toward them.

Anyway here she is. We really love her, and we're hoping and working for the best.

Edited to tell you that her name is Jelly, because she's so sweet!

 

[jojo@rolling acres farm]

PunkinPeep - What a great looking and SMART looking dog! I bet she'll be awesome. We have a similar mix...but she has Golden in her rather than lab...she just turned 14 on June 17th...one of the best dogs I've ever met. She keeps things in order...allows no fighting even among cats...likes peace and knows how to keep it. She walks the the entire acreage in the morning and again at night. She sleeps in the house near my side of the bed. The day Maggie Mae leaves this earth - will be a sad day for me...its almost as if she can read my mind. I hope you enjoy your girl as much as I've loved and enjoyed my Maggie Mae...good luck!


edited: I must have be "sleep-typing" - spelling errors.

 

[PunkinPeep]

jojo@rolling acres farm :

PunkinPeep - What a great looking and SMART looking dog! I bet she'll be awesome. We have a similar mix...but she had Golden in her rather than lab...she just turned 14 on June 17th...one of the best dogs I've ever met. Keeps things in order...allows no fighting even amoung cats...likes peace and know how to keep it. She walks the the entire acreage in the morning and again at night. She sleeps in the house near my side of the bed.The day Maggie Mae leave this earth will be a sad day for me...its almost as if she can read my mind. I hope you enjoy your girl as much as I've loved and enjoyed my Maggie Mae...good luck!

Thanks for the encouragement! I hope so too!​

 

[ruth]

Quote:
She is adorable - and looks very intelligent. Also looks to have a lot of shepherd. Just work with her, let her go everywhere with you while you tend to the flock, go and just sit in the coop/run with her and let her learn to just sit and watch. I'll bet she'll do great - just don't give up on her - it may take till she's older. Puppies, of any breed, are just puppies and like babies, they sometimes don't learn certain behavior till they are older.

 

[Tala]

Nothing beats a good secure coop. I'm a big fan of electric fencing too. Then I have the "rooster alarm", a LED maglight, a .22, and a live trap when necessary.

My dog guards the house, but we had her before the chickens. She accepts them as a part of the family, but they are just like the cats to her - she doesn't watch out for them.

 

[Amethyste]

To protect my girls, my husband built them the most secure coop he could. Being in an urban area, we dont have really much predation other than the standard hawks, coons, and owls.

He loves the girls...its so sweet

He put hardware cloth all around the fencing of the run <we have a 10x10 dog kennel with the heavy duty wire for their run>, made sure that nothiing flying could sneak thru the top <he fitted the roof with deer netting and bright coloured tapes...pink!! so the hawks know there is something in the way>. He also made sure that the doors were secure, and that there was hardware wire over the windows and the vents...we have soffits over our vents but he still put hardware cloth over it as well. Its very secure!!

If he is home he is always having an ear open for any noise from the back garden that might indicate trouble for our girls. He has rushed out there at 2 am to sweep a possum off the roof of the coop, and ran out in the back with the garden hose on to chase away the coons that made a brazen midday attack. Pretty much he is the guard dawg lol It was really cute tho... he raced out there and the coon growled at him...all the girls ran to the corner nearest DH and made the "go get him!!!" noises lol They were cheering him on... they knew he was there to help them

He is looking into getting a shooting type of weapon tho to protect his girls from anything that comes after them... not sure what tho. Last I heard it was a low powered airgun or something. We are discussing that atm cos I dont know if I like it or not.

Amazing....these were supposed to be MY girls and he loves them just about as much as I do. Ungrateful girls love him more than they love me i think lol

 

[Tala]

Quote:
Be really really really careful of a raccoon that comes out in the daytime and isn't afraid of you - it's probably rabid!!! The biggest "warning" to me is seeing one that is behaving "out of the ordinary" which for raccoons usually means them being out in the daylight.

Also we live in the city where most animals are at least familiar with humans so less afraid than a "woods" raccoon would be, and they still hiss at me, tremble, and would rather be anywhere than having me bearing down on them. They want to run away, not growl or fight back, although they would if forced.

 

[AkTomboy]

Quote:
I have had two Akbash dogs along with my Pyrs. I would say just in my two pennies that if you are not used to and LGD and know how to train them start off with something else first. They are stubborn like any good LGD. But they also are more assertive and less accepting of new people or visitors. Both of mine lived to be 12 and were amazing gaurds, dogs, and family members. I will have another once I can teach my husband that he has to be consistent with the dogs. Not all dogs are like his bloodhound

. As far as pyrs leaving what they gaurd I think if they are bonded to the flock or herd they will not leave. I have a male now who will not leave the alpacas at all. Good thing my Vet makes farm calls lol Anywhos good luck in your quest to find a pup who fix into your family and needs.