Herding Chickens

[Natural Beauty Farm]

So proud of my little girl. We have a 3 yr old herding GSD rescue here that turned out to be a killer (baby goats)
So I have been extra careful with my pup that I got in the spring because I was having some trust issues with all the dogs after the killing spree since they were all out playing and I was not witness to the actions.
But today I was working in the coops and my roommate let Jazzy out loose to play(8mo old). He did not know the chickens had escaped, but Jazzy came over in investigate and pushed them all back into the coop. When the rooster challenged her I thought sure we would have a blood bath, but she pinned him down and with a gentle mouth picked him up and brought him to the coop like she had been doing it for years. Guess that mean old rooster had a life changing experience, because he stays in the back of the coop now when she is out playing.

[Stosh]

Good story! I'm surprised that rooster didn't have a heart attack

[gmcwife1]

very cool!!

[OffgridAlex]

I'm glad I read that, We keep chickens I was thought it would be lovely if I could give my dog a real job to do when he is older that speaks to his heritage. I would love to have him herd my chickens or just stand guard at the door when i go into the pen so they don't all come out.

I have introduced them before but he is very young and got too excited started trying to chase and nip them (again we had a mean old cockerel that didn't take kindly to him messing with his girls)

I'll leave it until he is older but it is good to know I am not insane thinking we might be able to raise a chicken herding dog.

[sparra]

Originally Posted by OffgridAlex

I'm glad I read that, We keep chickens I was thought it would be lovely if I could give my dog a real job to do when he is older that speaks to his heritage. I would love to have him herd my chickens or just stand guard at the door when i go into the pen so they don't all come out.

I have introduced them before but he is very young and got too excited started trying to chase and nip them (again we had a mean old cockerel that didn't take kindly to him messing with his girls)

I'll leave it until he is older but it is good to know I am not insane thinking we might be able to raise a chicken herding dog.

Just a thought......i would put him on a nice long leash around your chooks and get him used to being around them while he is nice and young. By having him on the leash you have control and you can show him correct behviour.....the younger you start the better when it comes to teaching control around your chooks and other animals.
Good luck.

[Questforfire]

Originally Posted by sparra

Just a thought......i would put him on a nice long leash around your chooks and get him used to being around them while he is nice and young. By having him on the leash you have control and you can show him correct behviour.....the younger you start the better when it comes to teaching control around your chooks and other animals.
Good luck.

Absolutely agree. I introduce my pups to my other animals (we live on a farm) at a very early age and on a long line, so the pup doesn't get to chase and then link fun to chasing.

However, I got my working line boy at 8 months and he came from a working dog kennel down South and had never seen a sheep, cow or hen before He was very curious initially and then showed an inclination to chase, so I quickly got him out of that way of thinking, and taught him self control around our sheep and now he is actually a help around the farm

Good luck with your training.