Magpie Ducks & Herding

[beardiemom]

Anyone else on this list using Magpie ducks for herding? We got our first ducks this summer from our herding instructor. 8 males. Lovely boys. They have their own home and yard. We move 4 at a time in a dog crate into the fenced yard for practice. Right now we have snow fencing to close off part of the yard for training sessions.

 

[Hattiegun]

Wow , sounds interesting. Never heard of it before.. more info plezzzz

 

[tia]

I have heard of it with Indian Runner ducks... There are a lot of clips on u-tube. I was going to try it with my border collie, but haven't. My border collie is such a goof ball.... and gets very excited... I don't want to risk my ducks getting hurt.

 

[beardiemom]

People use a range of ducks - Indian runner are the most common, Magpies are becoming more popular, and some people really love call ducks. I have also seen Swedish Blue used.
Our herding instructor switched over from Indian runners to Magpies because she thought they were smarter

We have a very energetic and bouncy beardie. We also worried that ducks would get hurt, but we have been working slowly and carefully. On leash, ducks inside a pen. Then ducks outside the pen, dog on leash. Then dog on a long line... She is still energetic, but if she has to move a recalcitrant duck she licks it on the head to get it going.

Would we leave them alone with the ducks? Probably not, at least not for a long time. But as they help us with the chores and see the ducks every day, the ducks are less like toys and more like work.

 

[FenDruadin]

That's cool! I'm glad to see magpies getting more attention.

I've never trained a herding dog, but I have both Indian Runners & magpies. I've had requests for Runners to use for herding, but I can definitely see some advantages with either breed.

1. Runners are faster, for sure--I don't know how important that is in herding dogs, but seems like it would be a factor. They're more agile too, so perhaps they'd be better for advanced training?
2. Magpies are slower, but also calmer. They won't freak out if your young enthusiastic dog gets a little excited.

Both are beautiful birds and good layers, so there's that advantage too. I love both breeds. I am thinking of thinning my flock down to one breed, but I really can't make my mind up which. I love them both so much.