Can you herd chickens????

[The Kibble Goddess]

OK, don't think I'm silly, but we have no grass in our back yard (DEEP shade) but plenty of it on the easement behind the back fence. It's so lush now I wish I could eat it. I'd like to give the girls a chance at it but am not sure how. The easement is for a drainage canal, only about an inch of water, but the banks are 10'+. No chemicals, lots of weeds and bugs. There is an ample gate, but it's behind a large playhouse. They never go to the back of the yard, preferring to stay up by the house. I was wondering if I could herd them across the yard, around the playhouse, and through the gate for some foraging and then do it in reverse when it's time to put them up. You know, just writing that out makes me see what a circus that would be

Maybe I should just carry them??? What I wouldn't give for a trained Border Collie about now.

 

[BarefootMom]

I have heard stories (no pun intended) lol

Supposedly my great grandfather used to herd turkeys 30+ miles to sell at the prcoessor. He did it with horses...

I am sure if there is a will there is a way!

 

[morelcabin]

I lead mine to where ever I want them by shaking a bucket of scratch. They know the bucket well though because I have used it to feed them all the time.

 

[Dingleberry]

I can get mine to folow me when they know I have treats in my fist.

 

[crtrlovr]

Mine actually "herd" pretty well, with the exception of one little rooster -- an OEGB bantam Black Breasted red named "Mr. Big Stuff" (aptly named, for sure! Small package, BIG BIRD attitude!) and whichever hen happens to be with him at the moment. He doesn't like to be "herded"; he prefers to think it's his own idea. I "herd" whichever hen is with him, and when he realizes he's about to be alone, he'll either catch up or fly up to the top of the 6' chainlink fence, give me a scolding and belt out some nice crowing, then hop down into the pen. As for the rest of the flock, I raise both arms if I want to herd them forward, just one arm on the side I'm herding them AWAY FROM as in when I raise my R arm, they instinctively head to the left, and vice versa. As long as they're moving forward, I drop my arms down to my sides and just walk behind them. They are very good about it, especially once they figure out you're not about to pounce on them or something weird like that...

All I have to do with the ducks is say, "it's time for night-night" and raise one arm -- they head toward their pen right away.

 

[Hopeful Peacock]

I just posted a very similar question a few days ago, and everyone said chickens will follow you when you have treats, or they are accustomed to getting treats from you. So, I think leading them from the front, and not herding them from behind may work.

 

[MsBrown]

I have herded my girls across a cornfield and into the coop several times, it is pretty easy with two people, you just need to try to anticipate their next move and not scare them too much.

 

[crtrlovr]

Quote:
We were posting at approximately the same time.

I suppose it basically boils down to whatever your chickens get used to.

Sounds like you have some options. I'd definitely try to figure out some way to get them interested in the grass! You might try pulling several handfuls and tossing them into the run to pique their curiosity.

 

[crtrlovr]

Quote:
Yep! this is key!
ETA: BTW, welcome, Ms. Brown!

 

[gritsar]

Sure you can. You can herd cats too I've heard.

Actually I do herd my younger flock in at night. They insist on waiting until the very last minute before going to bed. I spread my arms out wide and slowly walk them towards their coop.