Should I get a chicken guard dog for a small yard?

[mama_clucker]

I'm getting back into raising hens (for eggs/fertilizer) and I'm trying to decide if I should get an outdoor dog to guard them?

We have predators in this area (stray dogs, fox, coyotes, raccoons, opossum, snakes, hawks, etc) and I feel like it would ease my mind to have a dog outside to keep an eye on things, but my available yard space is smaller this time than it was in the past.

My plan for the chickens is to build a coop with a couple of attached runs (fully enclosed with hardware cloth - no chicken wire) that will act as paddocks for rotational grazing since the girls will not be free range. I will also be building a greenhouse in the same area (but not attached to the coop). I was thinking that I could then build a fenced area around the chickens that also extends out towards the end of the yard and that could be where an outside dog lives. If I had to guess, size wise, I would say the area for the dog would probably be around 1,000 square feet - give or take.

But is this enough space for a chicken guard dog? Especially since the breeds that are recommended for chickens are usually big dogs? The dog would never interact with the hens without supervision as there will always be a fence between him and the chickens unless I'm working with him to accept them - and that would be carefully handled as well.

What are y'all's thoughts? It just worries me to have the hens out there, even in a well built setup, without a dog around them to scare things off or jump after something. Thanks so much for the help.

 

[townchicks]

I'm getting back into raising hens (for eggs/fertilizer) and I'm trying to decide if I should get an outdoor dog to guard them?

We have predators in this area (stray dogs, fox, coyotes, raccoons, opossum, snakes, hawks, etc) and I feel like it would ease my mind to have a dog outside to keep an eye on things, but my available yard space is smaller this time than it was in the past.

My plan for the chickens is to build a coop with a couple of attached runs (fully enclosed with hardware cloth - no chicken wire) that will act as paddocks for rotational grazing since the girls will not be free range. I will also be building a greenhouse in the same area (but not attached to the coop). I was thinking that I could then build a fenced area around the chickens that also extends out towards the end of the yard and that could be where an outside dog lives. If I had to guess, size wise, I would say the area for the dog would probably be around 1,000 square feet - give or take.

But is this enough space for a chicken guard dog? Especially since the breeds that are recommended for chickens are usually big dogs? The dog would never interact with the hens without supervision as there will always be a fence between him and the chickens unless I'm working with him to accept them - and that would be carefully handled as well.

What are y'all's thoughts? It just worries me to have the hens out there, even in a well built setup, without a dog around them to scare things off or jump after something. Thanks so much for the help.

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That seems a terribly small space for a large dog( or any dog, really) to live out it's life. LGD's seem to be best for farms where there is room them to roam and interact with people and livestock and preferably another dog. If the dog is penned up it may not be really effective at "chasing" off a predator, and if it is loose, may become one. LDGs are usually raised with the livestock so they feel that is their family.

 

[WingItRanch]

I actually think you don't need the dog. If you build a predator proof coop and run (including hardware cloth skirt), that should be good.

I have a ton of predators in my area so I built a large coop and run with hardware cloth. I also have a portable chicken tractor that I can use for field trips so they can do some foraging while protected against predators.

As long as you have enough space and make sure there are no gaps where climbers or diggers can get in, you can have chickens without the stress of predators.

 

[PatriciafromCO]

I have LGDs and I love them even if I didn't have animals. the dogs are a full time job as well. I also think if your birds are well protected as you get started you will be fine. And have the time to think if you really need a dog.

 

[Penpal]

I don't think anyone should have a dog unless they want a dog. That being said, a male dog will mark his territory and that seems to do a lot to keep predators away. He doesn't necessarily need to be an "outdoor" dog. You can also use portable electric netting. It will keep out most four legged pests 24/7.