Australian Shepherd as a Poultry guard dog?

[happyfrenchman]

CENTRARCHID.... You talk about kills like your dogs have actually gone and killed a predator or two....? I don't know if I have ever seen that side of my dog. I have seen him chase squirrels, but he seems to not have that killer instinct.

 

[ellend]

I agree cafarmgirl. Border Collies are definitely not for everyone! Too much energy for most people. I also agree that the heeler brought in the protective instinct. I have a girlfriend that raises them with her sheep and they are very protective and also very intelligent dogs.

Just THINKING of having one makes me tired! Oooh, that ceaseless energy...it would turn to unbearable mischief if not directed. Chickens hate to be herded. As do children. Personally I wouldn't get a herding breed OR a terrier for chickens. Too smart, too energetic, too intense.

 

[cafarmgirl]

Just THINKING of having one makes me tired! Oooh, that ceaseless energy...it would turn to unbearable mischief if not directed. Chickens hate to be herded. As do children. Personally I wouldn't get a herding breed OR a terrier for chickens. Too smart, too energetic, too intense.

That's why we got a mix lol! To me it's the best of both rolled into one. But it's that incredible intelligence that I want and need in a farm dog. Once my dogs learn that I do not want them messing with the chickens in any way they ignore them completely. No chicken herding allowed on my place!

 

[Chickens R Us]

I have an Aussie, have had him for years... he is a great dog and I love him as much as one could, but as a full time flock guardian, he would not be very effective... he does patrol the property and his presence I believe is a deterrent to many predators. He is even cognizant of Hawks... However he would just as soon be in the house in the Air Conditioning. Or playing ball. The chickens... he loves them and is very motherly and gentle with them, but if he were left out there with only the chickens for company, he would not be happy. He is too social. He does bark at strangers etc... but not as a flock guardian... as a flock companion yes... I would trust him with even the tiniest chicks... and his presence in the yard is a form of guardianship. But not full time. They are great dogs however and I would recommend them for someone with chickens because they are shepherd dogs.

Exact same story with my Aussie and also my Border Collie great farm dogs but not the greatest guard dogs but their presence does deter some predators.

 

[centrarchid]

CENTRARCHID.... You talk about kills like your dogs have actually gone and killed a predator or two....? I don't know if I have ever seen that side of my dog. I have seen him chase squirrels, but he seems to not have that killer instinct.

We have killed a good many opossums, a few raccoons, couple red foxes, unknown number of skunks and a mink. Also snakes. Not many are brought up where I can see them so likely underestimates on opossums and smaller critters. I have actively promoted killing on opossums and raccoons using my own behavior as a guide. Get dog riled up and encourage him. Fox killing came about by accident early where male dog as large pup ran a fox down as it tried to catch a free-ranging stag. I could have done same when fox is so focused. Scoob (dog) bit fox in hindquarters not causing much damage and fox whipped around and bit Scoob in front paw. That event got Scoob riled resulting in Scoob apparently having personal problems with foxes where he goes out of his way trying to kill them now. Raccoons will be trickiest as they are more dangerous when fighting back. Dog must learn quickly how to handle one otherwise it will not take them on later. We had a few butt bites on coons before Scoob learned to go for neck and back. First encounters with raccoons also involved me where battle took place in open field. Some dogs take to the killing part naturally, with Scoob his mouth was soft at first but that was easy to overcome.

Scoob has helped trained younger dog making job easier for me.

 

[mrushing]

What kind of dog do you have?

 

[mesheree]

We have a male 3 year old Australian Shepherd. As a puppy he actually ate a few chickens. But we watched a YouTube video on how to train them not to eat chickens, and my husband used a PetSafe training collar with him positive and negative tones, as well as a shock button. He used almost exclusively the tones to teach him not to "hunt" the chickens. He wanted to please us but had to know what we wanted.

We hadn't lost a single chicken to raccoons (ours free range) in a year. Until this week when our dog was at the kennel while we were on vacation.

We came home to several dead pullets and some hens. It was so sad! He normally sleeps outside and chases the raccoons away. He barks but not enough to be annoying. I love our Aussie. They are so smart and loyal. They want to please. Very active and in the beginning this was a little exasperating. He does herd kids somewhat often and isn't very fun to go on a run with. But he is such an amazing family dog. We absolutely adore him.

Sheree

 

[mesheree]

Our dog does not normally herd the chickens. But occasionally he will round them up and put them back in the coop when we ask him to. I love this! He does do this thing with new chickens where he pins them. I think he just wants them to listen to him because he doesn't harm them and he could instantly if he wanted to. The chickens are not bothered by him. He protects them now as he sees them as part of the "herd."

 

[lilmillefleur]

I think an aussie could be trained to tolerate and maybe even protect the chickens, however, if you really want a true, fulltime LGD they have to guard 24/7, including at night, so they wouldn't really be indoor pets. Good LGD breeds include great pyrenees and komondor, andatolian shepherd, maremma etc. They have very different personalities from herding dogs though. More wary of strangers of course, and very independent because they were bred to act without owner commmands.

 

[mesheree]

Aussies can definitely be an outdoor dog. We have a fenced yard and only really have raccoons come in at night. We have lots of those. Aussies are bred to herd cattle and work on farms and they have thick fur and can tolerate cold. Our dog sleeps out in his heated doghouse in the winter. He spends lots of time inside also with the kids. He is social and loves people. But he is mostly an outdoor dog. We are in Utah and it gets cold here in the winter. But the heated doghouse keeps him comfortable and he does a good job of protecting the yard at night.