Border Collie training for chicken herding ?

[AmazingRachel]

Going to adopt a 12 week old BC and I want to train her to herd my 10 chickens. Anyone have any tips? Tips on BC puppy care good also be appreciated.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Not the right breed for chicken monitoring.
Plus, I think 12 weeks is much to late for introduction unless its response to recall commands is exemplary.

Why do your chickens need herding?

 

[chickens really]

I have a Yorkshire Terrier trained to wrangle Chickens and Ducks. Also an Golden Retiever/Aussie cross...Both trained to not use their mouths and only paws or nose. Trained with a volley ball..

 

[oldrooster]

only advice I can give is the obvious about any new pet with chickens is introduce asap and watch them closely so they won't hurt each other esp. the chickens getting hurt/killed.....

 

[JaeG]

Your puppy won't be reliable until mentally mature which can be around 2-3 years old. It will take a lot of training, starting with the basics, but it does pay off in the end. The leash is your best tool to start with (do not go near anything 'exciting' without that on) and watch your pup's reaction to know when they are getting too intense and need to be removed from the stimulus (chickens).

 

[chickens really]

So not true..My Dogs have successfully worked since under a year old.

 

[AmazingRachel]

Not the right breed for chicken monitoring.
Plus, I think 12 weeks is much to late for introduction unless its response to recall commands is exemplary.

Why do your chickens need herding?

We've always wanted a Border Collie. I thought that teaching it to herd chickens would be enriching mentally and physically.

 

[Hoosiercluck]

I can not say for sure on BC, but I have an English Shepherd who is excellent with them. The breed is known as a low herder, and is instinctive for them to want to group and monitor, so she loves to be with stock. She has been with them as a pup at 11 weeks, started on a leash. I am not a pro and I am sure she could be much better trained, but she follows commands well and has never hurt them, although when they flutter she jumps too. I caught her nosing my roosters hind feathers this morning to entice him to move, so my chickens tolerate her too. My best advice, as mentioned, start with a leash and be attentive and also be firm and consistent, patient and accept mistakes. Above all else, love your pup and he/she will want to please you.

 

[Abriana]

My collie (not border) was brought into my family at twelve weeks and introduction at that age was no problem. He loves the chickens-in a good way. He naturally tries to herd them (mama bantam doesn’t like it though!) and is very gentle with them. He chases the hawk and cats away, and he hears everything. He does some silly things, like thinking he MUST keep away horses and cows at all costs, but otherwise he’s a great chicken dog. I don’t think twelve weeks is too late to start introductions-but no matter what breed, always start slow and careful at a distance on leash. Don’t let him off leash near them until he has shown zero signs of wanting to attack (don’t let excitement fool you-he may be excited but not wanting a chicken snack). My collie, Beau, is now able to be off leash inside the chicken pen with me in the coop not watching him. Collies are the top best dog with chickens-so he has great potential as a herding dog!
I don’t have tips for training, but I’m sure other members will! Good luck!

 

[The Kooky Kiwi]

All our family dogs have been trained to be gentle with other animals. They are trained to retrieve but never harm. We have found that the best way to train is from a young age with lots and lots of socialisation. My personal method - give everyone a BIG afternoon play so all the excitement factor has been worn out of them. Then after dinner we have quiet "combined family time" where all animals are supervised together. It's a gradual scale of introduction starting with everyone on leads and/or in cages close by and eventually with everyone just being in the common area doing what they want unrestricted. How restrictive and how long this training will be will definitely vary depending on breed of dog and the animals you are socialising with..

I find the labradors and retrievers are excellent for this type of training. They have a gentle nature and tend to "mother" the creatures they come across rather than herd or chase. My rescue retriever was excellent mates with my sebrights - they'd follow her around all day long and during the evenings she'd lie there and periodically swish her tail for them to pounce on.

I'll agree with an earlier post - that puppies do have a tendency to act out of excitement so care should be taken to not leave them unsupervised until you are well sure that a chicken flap isn't ever going to incite an excited grab!