Will Livestock Guardian Dogs stay with traveling flock

Hi all,
I’m brainstorming ways to set up a mobile chick flock to follow behind rotational grazing cattle. The mobile chicken coop must be road-worthy to move between covercrops fields. So converting a horse trailer might work. Even with electric fencing in place, I’d like your input on which form of livestock guardian would work best. I’ve heard that Maremma dogs are less likely to roam around, and I was thinking of adding a couple of geese for raptor awareness. Do you know anyone offering this service to cash crop producers or orchardists?

I am not sure what LGD breeds would be best.

I know that some dogs have more of a herding instinct which is what might be needed.

Shannon said, Do you know anyone offering this service to cash crop producers or orchardists?

I am confused by this.  Are you looking for someone who offers chickens or dogs?

I don't think renting dogs would work as the dog would not be familiar with your chickens.

Though a service for renting mobile chicken is a thought.

I hope by bumping this topic you will get some suggestions for dog breeds.

Shannon, you might want to watch some of the older videos Justin Rhodes put out about his chickshaws and his guardians (he uses geese). He also refers to Joel Salatin, who may have some ideas.

As for actual roadworthy chickshaws, i saw some a few years ago when i went to go visit the Rodale Institute in PA. They use huge shaws made from hay wagons and they're impressive. see https://rodaleinstitute.org/why-organic/organic-farming-practices/livestock-management/

Well, we had an old horse box/van (I don't know what you called them over the pond) for transporting 2 horses.  Very sturdy, spacious and waterproof. Since we no longer have horses or donkeys, it lingered sadly on the edge of the property for the last 4 years.  Two months ago, we transformed it into an eminently road worthy chicken coop.  Just made some perches and egg laying boxes and our chickens love their new home while we love the easy transportation from one field to another.

We have a Pyrenean mountain dog and he is an absolute cracker, however, it's more to do with it's nature than it's breed.  For instance, his dad was an absolute pain in the what's it.  By all means get an LGD, but find one that you relate to and you feel comfortable with, whatever it's breed.

Good luck with your endeavour, keep us posted!

Shannon Hickman wrote:I’m brainstorming ways to set up a mobile chick flock to follow behind rotational grazing cattle.

Maybe a Canaan Dog would be good for this? I don't know if they are being used as livestock dogs outside of their homeland, but they did guard cattle there. There is a book about these dogs written by Myrna Shiboleth, a breeder dedicated to preservation of this breed.