What kind of dog??

[Preservation Acres]

What breed of dog do you folks use to guard your chickens? I'd rather not get a LGD.

 

[spydertoys]

I have a Great Pyrenees...the best darn chicken, duck, goose, turkey guard I've ever seen!!!

 

[Preservation Acres]

They do seem like great dogs. I have a friend who has one, so I had a chance to spend time with one, but it's SO HUGE. I don't need a dog that can take down an elephant. I just need protection from other dogs, raccoons, etc.

 

[Pathfinders]

One of my local chicken breeder friends has a pair of Australian Shepherds who live outdoors all year round (we're in KY) and who guard her birds so well she can let them run free in her yard and the raccoons etc. never get near them.

We have an Anatolian Shepherd Dog who lives in with the goats who does a wonderful job, but if I were to get dogs to run loose on the farm (which has its pros and cons), I'd get Aussies.

 

[Preservation Acres]

Sounds good. Here's what prompted my thoughts. This morning, I went out for my regular weekend coffee on the back porch while letting my chickens free range. I only let them free range under supervision.

Anyway, our house cat followed us outside. He likes to watch the chickens, but is too much of a sissy to ever chase them. He actually runs from my smallest hen.

While outside, our neighbor's chocolate lab came over. I immediately went into disaster prevention mode. I said sit, and he went all the way down easily. He saw the chickens, and I put myself in between him and them. He actually had no interest whatsoever in the chickens. After a couple of minutes, I backed off, and he just watched them and walked off.

Now, when he saw my cat hiding in the bushes, that was a different situation. He recognized it as another predator and began to grow but did not attack. The cat ran inside, and he chased it but kept a distance.

That got me thinking...maybe a lab would work for coons, skunks, and other smaller predators.

 

[Preservation Acres]

Oh, I have three young sons... 10, 6, and 2, so a chocolate lab would be a great kid dog.

 

[Pathfinders]

Actually, a fully grown raccoon boar could kill a Lab without thinking about it twice. If you're going to use dogs to deal with predators, even the neighbor dogs, two are much better than one. One to deal with the issue, the other to stay with the flock.

I've never had trouble with my barn cats threatening my chickens. I think they might hurt a bantam if I let one out, but those don't range, only the large fowl do.

 

[fordmommy]

I have a pure breed border collie and a border collie mix. Both rescue dogs. They're awesome!

Best two dogs I ever had.

 

[gottalovemychickens]

1 Pitbull, 2 Akitas and 1 skinny guy named Remington , we just call him rifle hehehe hahaha

 

[wildorchid053]

i have a yellow lab and she is good with the chickens. she is too busy licking the chicken poo to bother with them.. she is about 8 and our chicks are 18 wks.. so she saw and sniffed and licked while they grew up.. she does want to play when they free range and take off flying .. it is exciting to any dog.. so i don't let her out unless we are there. i am afraid one of her paws might land on one when they land.. but she definately is very protective of them and sweet.. very mellow and laid back too..and very protective of my grandkids..good all around dog