There is nothing better than sipping coffee on the front porch while watching your canine buddy enjoying his rural endeavors. However, anyone who raises chickens and dogs knows the anxiety that goes with introducing these two.
All dogs are good, but not all breeds are effective for pastoral farming because some canines make a hobby out of killing chickens and small livestock alike. Any breed that likes to kill chickens might also be interested in your cat, rabbit, or any smaller animal that runs away when being targeted.
How about Border collies and chickens – are they good with chickens? Yup! Border collies stand head and shoulders above other breeds when it comes to herding livestock due to their supreme intelligence and natural instincts.
Are They the Best Dog for Chickens?
Lockdowns caused by the Covid-19 pandemic propel people to embark on urban agriculture, and an excellent way to start is to have a flock of chickens. But because raising chickens presets its own set of problems, it is wise to have a Border collie lending you a paw.
Border collies and chickens can live hand in hand because the world’s smartest canine has a low prey drive. Even if collies love to chomp on this chicken and whole grains recipe by IAMS, they don’t see chicken farms as an eat-all-you-can buffet. So, what makes Border Collies the best breed for herding chickens?
While some of the wolf’s predatory behaviors are still well-ingrained in domesticated canines, the Border collie doesn’t use force or physical attack to command or control a herd. Instead, collies use their hypnotizing stare. The stare can be so intimidating that a stubborn bull will fall to its knees. Border collies are likewise famous for their ability to move around swiftly while staying low to the ground. When performing sentry duty, you can these furry marshals patrol the herd and surrounding area with great control and finesse just like a cunning tiger. While a collie may give chase to a runaway fowl, you can rest assured that he will not kill it.
But despite their strong herding instincts, you can’t expect your pup to magically transform into the perfect canine cowboy without some effort on your part. Early and consistent training must be involved.
Can I teach a Border Collie to Round Up Chickens?
Yes, you can! The Border collie is a bright and resourceful pooch who is always eager to please his “hooman. ” But before you begin training your pup to round up chickens, he needs to master these basic commands: sit, stay, come, down, heel, and leave it. You can’t teach your collie complex commands, lest your dog has these basic commands mastered.
There are many complex, herding-specific commands you can teach a Border collie. But for starters, you can implement basic directions using the following commands:
• Walk up – approach the herd and stop a few feet away
• Away – approach from the left to move the herd to the right
• Come by – approach from the right to move the herd to the left
• To me – move the herd towards you by approaching from behind
Tips on How to Train Your Collie to Herd Chickens
Before anything else, you want to give your chickens a big pile of feed to eat to keep them busy. You will also need a bunch of treats to act as both an incentive and a reward.
Since there is always a risk of injury to the chickens, you should only introduce them to your collie when he is calm. Likewise, make sure your pup’s leash is short.
Give your collie the “walk-up” command as you walk him towards the chickens. Come to a halt within two feet from the chickens, and tell your pooch to sit. Simply let your collie get used to the presence of the birds and have him watch how you interact with the animals.
Repeat this process for several days, and let your collie stay around the fowls a little longer each time. Be sure to keep him away as soon as he gets jittery.
Walk around the chickens in a clockwise direction and give your collie the “come by” command. Stop at the end of the circle, reverse directions, and give him the “away” command.
Do this repeatedly for several weeks until you can give him either command while walking and he will automatically reverse directions. So, how will you know if your Border collie is ready to herd your chickens? For one, your collie will approach the fowls with his tail down, and he will run in circles around the flock.
What to Do if Your Border Collie has Bitten a Chicken
Immediately scold your collie if you caught him trying to bite a chicken. If your collie has accidentally killed a chicken, try isolating your pooch with the carcass inside a kennel. Make sure your dog can’t escape the dead chicken for at least 24 hours.
The only attention you should give your pooch during this period is when giving him food, water, and during potty breaks. Once the time is up, dispose of the dead bird and give your pooch lots of praise for not eating the bird.
Although this is an old-fashion country solution, a lot of farmers swear by this method.
Can My Border Collie Protect My Chicken?
Border Collies succeed when they are given a job to do. That is why these pooches make the perfect caretakers of your farm animals. With a Border collie, your chickens are free to range without getting picked off by larger predators, such as foxes and feral cats.
Conclusion
Anything that involves herding will help unlock the happiness of the Border collie. The Welsh corgi, Great Pyrenees, Shetland sheepdog, and Australian shepherd are few excellent chicken-herding breeds, but Border Collies reign supreme in popularity.
Training your Border collie not to attack chickens will require several factors. To ensure success, your collie should grow up with chickens being out in the yard occasionally. Likewise, you have to be committed and remain patient in training your collie.
Once your pooch has gotten the commands, he will be a helpful resource in your backyard farming. Your Border collie can help you raise and protect your chickens when you hone his herding skills.