We are looking at a border collie to help with our cattle. This one will be fully trained to cattle. How many here use a dog to herd and protect their chickens? Any advice? If it would be unadvisable, I can keep them locked in their run or the dog locked up while they are out too. Thanks!
Herding dog trails start with the dogs working ducks, I can't imagine that herding chickens would be all that much different from herding other fowl. Although, not being familiar with waterfowl, they may stay together as a group better than my chickens do. lol
Herding dog trails start with the dogs working ducks That's how I got my ducks...they were leftover herding ducks used to train dogs. Ducks seem to stick closer together than chickens. Not sure if chickens are "herdable"
I herded my chickens myself and it worked. LOL I would have on a coat or jacked, unzipped, and open my arms to make it appear like I had wings. They would pretty much go where I wanted them to. But, in regard to your question!...I think it would work. Let us know how it goes.
I get my 10 week old pitbull puppy to get my chickens in the coop when I don't feel like doing it lol!!! I think that a border collie will deff. get the job done!!!! Good luck!!!!
Our neighbors have a miniature border collie - he's a gorgeous and sweet dog. Unfortunately he has killed 2-3 of their small flock. I think they're got just 4-5 left now. Train him carefully, and keep him on a lead until you trust him. Be prepared for that to take a while.
Yes, a dog is able to herd poultry, depending on if it was brought up/trained properly. As JennsPeeps said, some just can't help themselves, and those darned chickens 'taunt.' You just have to see how your dog deals with that kind of situation. I wouldn't let him off the lead when you're not close by for the first couple of weeks, but other than that...just try it out and see how it works. We trained one of our herding dogs to herd our chickens into the coop at night, and she's very good with them. Well, good luck! With the collie and the cattle!
I was able to herd my poultry over a very short short distance with a long piece of pvc pipe. I don't know if it would work well in big areas though, just a thought.
Quote:I do more or less the same thing. I keep a towel in a coop and I just take the towel and wave it at them and they pretty much go where I want them to go. Once in awhile some will decide they don't want to go, but I always win.
