What dog is best for guarding chickens?

[coffeenutdesign]

Our best chicken guard dog was a plain vanilla medium-sized blond mutt. Couldn't tell you much about her breeding, but she was a great outdoor guard dog for both chickens and small children.

 

[Smf0723]

Great Pyrenees

 

[rjking777]

Thanks to everyone who offered suggestions. That has eased my mind and I think I will start checking the rescue web sites for a young dog that I can train myself. At this point, I am not even sure what I will end up with, but will be taking my time and not rushing into anything because once I get the dog it will be a part of the family. I will post with updates as to what I get and how it works out. Thanks again!!!

 

[Vyctoria]

I haven't tested her about being loose with them yet, but believe it or not, our Brittany Spaniel has been a great predator control dog. She runs all over the yard and will even chase coyotes away. She isn't scared of anything. She used to be obsessed with my ducks, but now she doesn't pay any attention. I just haven't had them outside of the pen with her yet, so I can't speak for how good she is at leaving them alone. That's more along the lines of training though. It just goes to show that sometimes it just depends on the individual dog.

If we ever move onto a large space and I'm able to get a bunch of chickens to go with my ducks, I plan on looking into a Kuvasz, but that's just because I like what I've read about them, so I can't speak from experience.

 

[carlf]

We conditioned our lab by having the peeps in the run for 10 weeks before we let them out into the yard with her,they were 14 weeks at that point. First time they came out into yard with the Lab, we had her on a leash to watch her reaction. Did this 3 days for an hour before taking her off the leash. After she sniffed and licked them a couple of times, they were part of the pack and all buddies. She even tolerates them eating out of her dish.
My advice is get a medium to large breed dog ( or mutt) that is calm, condition her right and you should be good. Avoid any dog with bird dog lineage, like spaniels. And avoid terriers or other small hyper dogs.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Our best chicken guard dog was a plain vanilla medium-sized blond mutt.  Couldn't tell you much about her breeding, but she was a great outdoor guard dog for both chickens and small children.  

Our mutt is an awesome guard dog as well. She is a lab / border collie cross.

She has been raised around chickens since the time she was 8 weeks old...

And with a little training and guidance, she has turned into an amazing flock protector.

 

[tjs22]

Any dog that is well mannered and has been properly socialized with the chickens. I have a mutt who is excellent with the chickens.