My question is what dog is best around chickens and can be trusted when the owner is not present and how do you train them?
What ever breed you decide on I would suggest that you that deal with a person that has working dogs. Don't be fooled by the breeder of champion show dogs. Ribbons and trophies don't mean squat in a real life situation. If you get a puppy ask to see the parents in action. If you get an adult ask to see it in action. Research the breed standard but keep in mind that some dogs won't live up to that standard. To increase the likelihood of getting you what you want/need. Please deal with someone that has working dogs.
Redbeard, we're just looking for one that will protect our chickens and run coyotes off. We don't have any other livestock. We're older and just want one to help keep our birds alive. She'll be an outside dog if we can possibly help it. We have 2 little dogs though that stay inside at night. That's because we don't want coyotes to eat one of them. She can be friends but also recognize someone who's a stranger.
Morning! Yes i think your right it does depend on area. But they still are pack critters. Most of the time small groups or singles are simply scouts. They are out looking for food for the pack. Usually you will never get a picture of an entire group. They don't roll like that unless they are going after big game. Some singles and small groups are males that have been booted from the pack. Also when filling them full of lead you need to identify the alpha female and only kill her last. She keeps all the other females from getting breed. If you kill her first the others will breed and you will have an population explosion. Im not trying to be a jerk but putting one dog out (unless fenced good and tight) to protect against coyotes is a death warrant for the dog. Coyotes are very smart and extremely effective killers. Underestimating them will only get your dog killed.Yeah, someone is awake!! I think the coyotes numbers depend on the local game. In South Texas we usually saw singles and pairs. Up here every picture on our game camera has shown at least 4.
Morning! Yes i think your right it does depend on area. But they still are pack critters. Most of the time small groups or singles are simply scouts. They are out looking for food for the pack. Usually you will never get a picture of an entire group. They don't roll like that unless they are going after big game. Some singles and small groups are males that have been booted from the pack. Also when filling them full of lead you need to identify the alpha female and only kill her last. She keeps all the other females from getting breed. If you kill her first the others will breed and you will have an population explosion. Im not trying to be a jerk but putting one dog out (unless fenced good and tight) to protect against coyotes is a death warrant for the dog. Coyotes are very smart and extremely effective killers. Underestimating them will only get your dog killed.
We call it the 3 s's, shoot, shovel, and shut up!Yep, we only expected our dogs to let us know when they were there. We took care of the "disappearing ".
That would be a bummer, i hope you can get her!Thank you! I'll make sure to watch for that. I'm thinking maybe going from one flock to a different one might be a factor. We won't get to know that until Feb when they'r ready. The possibility is also that due to health issues, we won't evem get her.
Hmmmm, I have a Husky I may need to try that with.The way to break a dogs chicken habit is to tie one around its neck for a week. After that they won't go near a chicken - not even a shelty will fail to learn from that experience.
Hmmmm, I have a Husky I may need to try that with.The way to break a dogs chicken habit is to tie one around its neck for a week. After that they won't go near a chicken - not even a shelty will fail to learn from that experience.
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