Whats a good small livestock guardian?

[Finge]

I'm a very worry wart when it comes to my flock of chickens, and im wondering what a good small livestock guard is there? I don't have the space for a big dog(parents don't want another dog that's not going to be bred and have litters) and I definitely don't have enough for a donkey.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Dogs, donkeys, and llamas are the usual suspects. Not really anything smaller. Best to have a secure coop and run and perhaps some motion detector security lights.

 

[bobbi-j]

If your chickens are cooped with a run, electric wire around your run will do wonders for keeping predators out. How many and what kinds of dogs do you have now? Do they get to run loose, or are they kenneled?

 

[Finge]

I heard geese were good protectors though, not sure how to raise them, or how big of space they need compared to a chicken.

 

[bobbi-j]

I heard geese were good protectors though, not sure how to raise them, or how big of space they need compared to a chicken.

All they can do is make noise to alert you that there is a problem. My dad's geese didn't sleep inside at night, and all got wiped out in one night.

 

[Finge]

As for the dogs, I have high prey drive animals, miniature dachshunds that are not good protectors at all. I have a Doberman as well, that guards the house. they are fenced in, with a smaller fence separating the dogs from the chickens. They share the backyard, but are not able to get to each other if I keep on top of wing trimming for the chicks.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

People will also say turkeys are good for protection but they aren't. I haven't owned geese, so I can't comment on them, except to say they come with their own needs that incompatible with chickens.

 

[Zoomie]

Here's my suggestion: spend the money you would have spent on a guardian animal, on an electric or very secure fence and netting over the top of your run.

Animals that are small are also going to fall prey to predators. For example miniature donkeys are sweeter than sweet, but can easily be killed by dogs. So, not much use as a guard. Generally speaking, guard animals have the ability to actually do damage to a predator. That's why I think any money spent on a small animal guard would be better spent on fencing and netting. And, good for you for being concerned enough to be PRO active, instead of REactive when it's too late!!!

 

[Finge]

Netting over the top is a problem, as I have a tree in the middle of their run, and if I cut it down, it's either going to damage our garage, or our home, so it's be tough to put netting over it, but I believe that the tree is also good protection from large birds of prey, as it covers most of their area, except where their main coop is, where the adults sleep, and the largest waterer I have for them (a kiddie pool), though I have smaller ones around the tree.

 

[Zoomie]

Well, you know your situation way better than anyone else. However... there are hawks who are specialists at hunting other birds among trees. For example, the Coopers Hawk. So, just be careful not to assume that tree is going to protect against hawks, or raccoons. Still, sounds like the tree is more of an asset than a liability.