We did it...

[bethh]

Some helpful information :https://www.motherearthnews.com/hom...ing-the-livestock-guardian-dog-puppy-zbcz1706

Thanks for posting. Although now I feel like I have been doing it wrong. When I’m not in the chicken paddock, she is in the back yard without other dogs. She can see all the yards and the chickens but hasn’t been kept in there.

 

[Latestarter]

At her age I don't think I'd feel all comfy with her licking a chicken... But then you were there and I wasn't so didn't "witness" the whole scenario. "Typically" with LGDs, chickens are the stumbling block while young. They run around squawking and raising a ruckus and the dogs just think "ahhh... squeaky play toy! " It's not that they kill them intentionally, IMHO it's more accidental due to all the loving attention the pup delivers. But I believe you said this pup was raised with birds, so it may never become an issue at all for her...

I'm no expert, but in my opinion, she doesn't have to actually be kept inside the chicken run to do what you intend for her to do. In fact, these dogs really need space and room. Most don't do well gated into a very small area. They feel trapped and become escape artists. If you're taking her into the chicken enclosure with you and staying in there with her for a bit, I'd say she's learning that they are to be protected along with everything else in "her area"; the back yard. As long as she can patrol around the chicken area, they'll be protected as well. I'm sure you'll discover what works best for you and her.

 

[Ridgetop]

I agree. As long as she can get around all sides of the coop and yard, she will protect them. Confining her to the small chicken yard means that she will feel that she can't protect the entire property. You don't want her to learn bad habits like digging out or climbing out of the chicken yard so she can patrol the property. I would let her have the run of your property (assuming it is properly fenced) and she will protect everything that is inside the fence. Since any predators (except hawks) have to come through the yard to get to the chicken yard, she will be able to head them off.

Keep up the good work of taking her into the pen with you so you can supervise her behavior with the poultry. She seems to like them and be good with them. Once you are sure of her, eventually, you can let the birds out into the larger property during the day and be sure that she will view them as hers to be protected too.

While LGDs don't naturally bond to poultry like they do to small stock, they can be taught to protect them. There are many LGDs guarding poultry and waterfowl consistently. You are doing a good job with her.

 

[Baymule]

My Paris liked the chick feed and letting her in the coop to eat the feed went a long way in getting her to "like" the chickens. LOL

 

[Stephine]

Chicken licking is fine- though the hen might think otherwise - it’s a bonding thing. I taught my (collie dog) first to be calm around the chickens and not bother them before I allowed him to approach and try to clean
If the chicken comes up to her, it’s asking for it ;o) As long as the dog doesn’t chase her to do a more thorough job with it, it’s fine.

Wow, I haven’t really been able to get on here for quite a few days. We had one of our grandsons while his parents were out of town. Didn’t leave much free time.

We have to take Gracie to the vet for a quick check up after her initial visit. Hope DH doesn’t have to carry her in again.

Quick question, if a chicken comes up to her while on a leash, is it okay for her to lick the chicken? Feels like a dumb question but if you don’t know.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

 

[Donna R. Raybon]

With working LGD I always made feeding time social so I could pet and check each dog to ensure all healthy. A dog could get bitten in the night protecting herd and I not know until infected otherwise. Or have a torn nail, etc.... So, at least once a day they each got loving, checked out, and food. Morning was usually time I fed as they were coming 'off duty' and going to sleep. When it was bitter cold weather, though, I would feed twice a day to ensure they got enough calories.

Make sure to provide and area where the dog can eat without any livestock intruding. Yes, goats, cows, poultry, pigs, etc, all love dog food! My adult dogs learned that I put out food for 30 minutes and they would eat all they wanted. Then rest was picked back up to ensure other critters did not get to it.

Be careful of feeding any puppy chow. Because it is so rich it can make long bone growth plates inflamed and pup will be lame. Puppy chow is ok until puppies are about 8 to 10 weeks old and then put them on a high quality adult dog food. I learned this lesson the hard way.

I would never be without a LGD! They are the reason that all the other livestock stays that way- LIVE!!!

 

[WolfeMomma]

Congrats! We have a Kangal as well. Best dog I have ever had! so smart!

 

[goats4us]

With working LGD I always made feeding time social so I could pet and check each dog to ensure all healthy. A dog could get bitten in the night protecting herd and I not know until infected otherwise. Or have a torn nail, etc.... So, at least once a day they each got loving, checked out, and food. Morning was usually time I fed as they were coming 'off duty' and going to sleep. When it was bitter cold weather, though, I would feed twice a day to ensure they got enough calories.

Make sure to provide and area where the dog can eat without any livestock intruding. Yes, goats, cows, poultry, pigs, etc, all love dog food! My adult dogs learned that I put out food for 30 minutes and they would eat all they wanted. Then rest was picked back up to ensure other critters did not get to it.

Be careful of feeding any puppy chow. Because it is so rich it can make long bone growth plates inflamed and pup will be lame. Puppy chow is ok until puppies are about 8 to 10 weeks old and then put them on a high quality adult dog food. I learned this lesson the hard way.

I would never be without a LGD! They are the reason that all the other livestock stays that way- LIVE!!!

We put ours on large-breed puppy food. It is not always easy to find though. I was also told to not overfeed, to keep her lean as she is growing to prevent hip dysplasia.

 

[Mike CHS]

We don't have a problem over feeding our dogs in this heat. Neither of our LGDs ate anything today of their afternoon feeding.

 

[bethh]

She seems to eat as much as she wants then will leave the rest. Sometimes she eats all of it and others there is leftover food. I take it up so that my other dogs don't gobble it down. I feed her royal canin large puppy food. I've been using this brand for 10 years, various formulas depending on our dog's ages, breeds, etc and have been very happy with it. I get mixed opinions about giving her puppy vs adult food. She isn't growing by leaps and bounds at this point. I've worked at a vet for years and got used to puppies gaining 7-10lbs every 3-4 weeks. She has only gained about 4 since we got her. Some of you may not know but she was a real mess when we first got her. Her lymph nodes were enlarged and she was covered in ticks. At her visit this week, the vet was happy that they are going down. We opted not to treat with antibiotics, I don't personally like a lot of meds so I prefer not to give them to my animals unless absolutely necessary. I started giving her some coconut oil in her food. It seems to have helped with her itching and the lymph nodes went down.

Here is a picture of her on the way to the vet. She isn't used to getting in cars and this was the first time that I was taking her by myself. I didn't want to fight trying to get her in my husband's truck because it is so high for me. I'm vertically challenged. Gracie got to ride in the convertible. Probably the last time because she is so big. She was really good though. Getting her in was a challenge, I had to climb in the passenger side and then coax (pull) her in and climb through to the driver's seat. It had to be a site for anyone around, lol.