English Shepherd as Poultry Guardian

[scottcaddy]

Lucy is smart enough to not get in over her head with the Coyotes and not let Ben do the same?
Hope that this works out in your favor!
Scott

 

[centrarchid]

For last several days dogs have been coming back soaked to the core. I suspected they were doing something in pond but did see how they could get through the ice. Today I went out and observed Ben sitting in water with only his head and upper shoulders exposed. He was looking at something intentently at the waters edge. When I got close it was apparent he was staring at the burrow of a Muskrat. Both dogs appear to be doing this. Lucy has been putting so much effort into digging through the chert laden mud that her feet are tender. The does where doing this even when the pond is more than 90% ice-covered.

 

[centrarchid]

This evening we had a tough time when I thought I saw a fox in the spotlight. I called dogs up and they were all excited but clearly confused when I got them on to the track. They did not go far before jumping a couple of rabbits. The dogs expected more. Then Ben began frolicking and promptly got into fence taking a couple of good hits before knocking the stop strand off. I had fix that while Ben ran up to the house. It will be a few days before days before Ben is ready to work perimeter tight and fast again. Lucy did not even take a notice and continued running perimeter.

 

[dan26552]

My I join? I have two ES's

 

[centrarchid]

Did you start dogs at same time? My male is not yet a year old so still does a lot of stupid. Once he is two a female pup will be acquired that will immediately be bonded to sheep and goats. Intent is to keep on dog more associated with ruminants that will call barn / house dogs in when backup needed. The barn / house dogs will be better positioned to protect poultry that are otherwise more vulnerable to snatch and grab action by Mr. Fox.

 

[dan26552]

Did you start dogs at same time? My male is not yet a year old so still does a lot of stupid. Once he is two a female pup will be acquired that will immediately be bonded to sheep and goats. Intent is to keep on dog more associated with ruminants that will call barn / house dogs in when backup needed. The barn / house dogs will be better positioned to protect poultry that are otherwise more vulnerable to snatch and grab action by Mr. Fox.

No, we got Bob (The Tri) in december of 2014 (He was 7 weeks old) We got Rex (As a rescue, sort of) in april of 2015, he was 4 months old. We did start the farm training at the same time in november of 2015, though both dogs benefit greatly from individual training from time to time. However we had to get rid of the goats we had and have just gotten more animals (The pigs and rabbits in first week of December, the ducklings a few weeks later and then the chickens another few weeks later.) Bob used to be a terror

He's calmed down immensely since he turned two. That sounds like a good plan.

 

[centrarchid]

I assume you had containment issues with the goats?

 

[OrganicFarmWife]

I assume you had containment issues with the goats?

Dan likes chasing his animals it keeps him from his homework

 

[centrarchid]

We are experiencing serious wind tonight with major drop in temperature. Wind is blowing poultry yard scent directly to where Ben spends the sleeping part of nights. I wonder what is brain is doing when the scents from much further away a coming in strong as well. Hearing is close to useless.

 

[hellbender]

Just for the hell of it...these are 'classic' pure English Shepherds. Not bastardized or watered down with any other "herding stock'' that could make them very difficult to brake off chickens...Sheep are just a bit tougher than chickens.