Integrating a cockerel into a flock of mature hens

[islandgirl82]

Ichabod looks so tiny next to Willie.

 

[Sylvester017]

Thank you.

Though they have full access to the coop to escape the inclement weather, they inevitably prefer to take cover on my front porch...much to my dismay.


(earlier this summer)

Your lovely property is so close to that inlet. Do you ever find your chickens strolling in that open field area or on the bank? I love breeds that stay close to home and not wander off. Some breeds seem to be more adventurous than others. Beautiful photo!

 

[Leahs Mom]

Good to hear it's still going well!

 

[islandgirl82]

Good to hear it's still going well!

Yes! Though I really hope his determined to be on my lap behavior yesterday isn't an early warning sign of things to come. It would really be a shame as he has fit in so well.

 

[islandgirl82]

Quote: They have before but not for extended periods of time and not typically in the wide open space. There's a huge brush pile that needs to be burned to the left (blocked by the lilac in the photo) that has become home to many mice and voles so as you can imagine they have a field day (pun may or may not be intended) when they venture over there. They typically stick close to all the growth along the water line or the trees that line the driveway before making their way to the brush pile. They will also venture over to the neighbors' on the same drive and they love seeing the flock in their yard. They have more wide open space but areas with lots of tall grass along with lupines and other tall growing leafy wild flowers that the flock takes cover in when they are over there. We've had a fox come through a few times and my OE has always headed straight for the shore when the fox has been here. I have not lost any to it though *knocks on wood*. The neighbors' dogs have done a fine job of chasing the fox off (and other stray dogs who have posed a threat to my flock). They will also escort the chickens home when they decide it's time. If I go to the shore, I have the whole flock stampeding after me.

 

[lazy gardener]

I bet there's lots of goodies and prime scratching to be had at the shore!!!

 

[aart]

..... The neighbors' dogs have done a fine job of chasing the fox off (and other stray dogs who have posed a threat to my flock).
They will also escort the chickens home when they decide it's time.

We need video <nodsvigorously>

 

[islandgirl82]

Ha! I'll work on that. They're Australian Shepards and take their self-appointed job very seriously. I tend to just let them do their job but I've been very impressed with them, not just for learning to leave my flock alone but actually coming over and give warning barks that there's predator trouble to get Willie out (he's getting a little too old to be so alert now) and taking the initiative to chase and/or tackle invaders on my side without any prompting and will stand between my chickens and said predators. They do know the chickens don't belong on their side and when they get too close to their own house, they herd them back here or at least get them started in the right direction whilst keeping a very healthy distance from them. I've seen a fox that they went after a while ago who decided chicken was off the menu. (S)He runs past my place on the opposite side of the road without even looking over here. Once (s)he has passed the property, (s)he'll slow their speed but has yet to even glance back and I'm alright with that.

 

[islandgirl82]

I bet there's lots of goodies and prime scratching to be had at the shore!!!

Absolutely!!

 

[Sylvester017]

Ha! I'll work on that. They're Australian Shepards and take their self-appointed job very seriously. I tend to just let them do their job but I've been very impressed with them, not just for learning to leave my flock alone but actually coming over and give warning barks that there's predator trouble to get Willie out (he's getting a little too old to be so alert now) and taking the initiative to chase and/or tackle invaders on my side without any prompting and will stand between my chickens and said predators. They do know the chickens don't belong on their side and when they get too close to their own house, they herd them back here or at least get them started in the right direction whilst keeping a very healthy distance from them. I've seen a fox that they went after a while ago who decided chicken was off the menu. (S)He runs past my place on the opposite side of the road without even looking over here. Once (s)he has passed the property, (s)he'll slow their speed but has yet to even glance back and I'm alright with that.

With Aussie Shepherds being a working herding dog, chickens to herd back to their own side of the road is a great job for active Aussies since they need a job to keep them busy. Years ago I used to confuse Australian Cattle Dogs with Australian Shepherds but they are definitely two distinct breeds with the Aussie Shepherd actually developed here in the USA. A friend had an Australian Cattle Dog that was an extremely hyperactive and self-willed breed that definitely needed training and our friend said he never would've purchased one if he had done thorough research first. Working dogs need a job whether they are guardian, herding, or service breeds and he was never home to enforce proper training.

We had 3 Rotts ~ hyper and intelligent breeds must have a job to do ~ even if it's only playing command-driven games with them daily. It was the only way to keep the Rotts' stimulated to keep out of mischief. However I would not keep a large herding breed like Rotts around my birds ~ I would only trust a guardian breed if I were to have a dog now. Rotts are great around large livestock but I would not trust their rambunctious nature around bantams or docile breeds. So sad that the big 100-lb breeds -- which most flock guardian breeds are big -- don't live much past 10 years. None of our Rotts went past 10 yrs and it's sad to lose the bond developed in that short time. I would think the Aussie Shepherd on the smaller side would give a few extra years of bonding and service to their owners.

OUR FIRST ROTT AT 6 MONTHS


THE 2ND ROTT AT 8 WEEKS


OUR DD's 3RD AND FAVORITE/SMARTEST ROTT 8-WKS


I still love the big breeds but for practical purposes the Aussie Shepherd sounds like a good choice to expend your time and energy with. It's so painful to lose the big breed dogs ~ we would just get comfortable with the time and training invested in them ~ and before you know it they start showing their age with displasia, arthritis, heart or lung conditions, and their usefulness and quality of life ebb away their last year or so, or they suddenly drop over dead from a heart attack or stroke. Yes, it can happen in any breed large or small but the shorter lifespan hit big breeds most.

Some pics of your neighbors' Aussies around your flock would be awesome!