Question for those of you with LGD's

[Bricore]

I am looking at maybe getting a Great Pyrenees (he is 2 yrs old.) He is used to goats (he lives with them now) BUT his not used to chickens. I free range my chickens and was wondering how I could get him used to the chickens without killing them in the process (I do have a chicken tractor and could maybe put that in the pasture with him if that would help.)

Any suggestions?


Thanks in advance,

Dora Renee' Wilkerson

[HomegrownAcres]

I don't think he would bother the chickens as long as there is lots of room for all the animals to coexist.

[HappyFarmer]

Not all lgd's are good with fowl, some never learn to tolerate them. If your chicken tractors are sturdy I would use them for the introduction period. Let him see you caring for the birds, holding them, and tell him they are YOURS. Nip any issues in the bud, immediate, stern, and focused correction. Allow plenty of time for introductions-I'd say a week to a month, depending on the dog. My dogs took only a week or less for any newcomer to the pasture.

I'm not really big on shock collars, but this is one instance I would consider using one if he needs it.

Can you get a 30 day trial on the dog? You could return him if he won't tolerate the chickens and you have no other use for him. If not perhaps buying an adult used to fowl is your best bet.

Happyfarmer

[Spinner]

My Great Pyrs have no problems getting along with the chickens. The chickens were here before the dogs and it was never a problem. A Pyr will eat a chicken, kid goat, or anything else IF they don't get food from their people. I've read that, but never had that problem since I have an automatic feeder that never goes empty.

[Buster]

Livestock Protection Dogs: Selection, Care, and Training, by Orysia Dawydiak.

I just got a GP pup last week and ordered this book through my library interlibrary loan program. Very helpful for training. I suggest you check it out. I'm not done, but will clue you about any helpful hints. One thing I learned early from it, though, is to pen your dog close to your animals you want it to guard. Perhaps a kennel set up next to the chicken tractor and away from the goats, to let it bond with the chickens first, then move the kennel out to where the goats are to let it bond with them, then free range the chickens again.

If you can't do that, then definitely tractor the chickens if it is a secure tractor, let them out occasionally when you can spend time closely monitoring your Pyr's interaction with the birds.

But get the book. I'm only barely paraphrasing and I'm not even done with it. It might save you some headaches and heartache.

I would not assume just because it isn't hungry it won't kill the birds. Most chicken massacres by dogs I have read about, the dogs killed the chickens without eating a single one. Something about them makes them so tempting. Me, I got lucky with my lab, and she is helping me train the pup. She is doing fine with the turkeys, but they dwarf her. Rest assured when I start mixing her with my chickens I will be keeping a close eye.

[powderhooves]

I got chickens this year. My Pry killed two right off the bat. I ended up giving the chickens to the neighbor. The very next morning when I opened the barn she was right there looking for the birds. My neighbor has a Pyr but the Pry was a pup and grew up with the chickens.

I put the Pyrs in with the goats as soon as we got them as puppies. I wired a dog kennel to the side of the goat enclosure and put the pup in there at night along with the goats. I wired it because the goats would...as goats love to do...jump on top of the kennel. During the day I kept the dog in a large dog enclosure in the goat enclosure. Worked well. Was really hard on me not to bring that cute, little furry puppy in the house but my husband was there to help encourage me to stand tough.