One farmer trained his sheepdogs so that they could herd his flock. Each night, 10,000 turkeys are safely returned to their natural habitat.
Steve Childerhouse, 47, said his two border collies had a surprising ‘natural instinct’ to round up the game birds at his award-winning Norfolk farm.
Ex-shepherd and 35 year veteran of agriculture, Tilly says that canines Pip or Tilly are capable of bringing the stubborn fowl home in just 45 minutes.
And despite the slightly unusual appearances, Mr Childerhouse says his well-trained sheepdogs view herding the festive birds, which are destined for British dinner tables this Christmas, as just another ‘job to do’.
He stated, “We had dogs for sheep and they obviously have that instinct to roundup, so they as soon as see turkeys, do that too.”
“They know that they have work to do because they are farm dogs.”
Steve Childerhouse (50), a Norfolk turkey farmer, gathers his turkeys using the assistance of his border dogs
An ex-shepherd who worked as an agricultural worker for 35 years says his Norfolk farm, where Pip and Tilly are able to bring the rebellious fowl home in under 45 minutes.
Steve claims that the odd appearance of his festive bird-herding sheepdogs is just another job.
Although Mr Childerhouse may not be the most conventional of farmers, his methods have been proven to work.
He said that Tilly and Pip, who are both five years old, were initially afraid when Tilly and Pip started to help him with the turkeys at Whews’ Farm, Norfolk.
After a couple of attempts, however, the hounds were able to take over the control of the large flock.
He stated that they were somewhat intimidated by them in some way.
They scared ‘Tilly a little. It was necessary to keep a close eye on her so that she could be dragged into the rafters.
“But, after a few weeks, they realized what they had to do.”
They will have to work hard on Mr Childerhouse’s 35-acre farm. Childerhouse uses traditional, free-range methods of cultivating his birds.
The turkeys can roam freely through woodland and grassland during the day. They live a very natural existence.
As the evening approaches, Pip and Tilly must lead their flock of 10,000 into a wooden barn, where they are safe from predators.
He stated, “We have lots of forests, so they live naturally outside – as natural and as close to nature as we can get them, really” while protecting them from foxes.
“Previously, we would have had to shut them in by ourselves. But the border colies were very good at ushering them.
His dogs keep big birds under control, but Mr Childerhouse admits that sometimes the turkeys can get in on Tilly and Pip.
He explained that there will be times when the dogs are watching the turkeys, but the dogs will still be following the turkeys.
He said that Tilly and Pip, who are both five years old, were initially afraid to use rescue dogs when they first started helping with the turkeys at Whews’ Farm, Norfolk.
The hounds eventually learned to control the huge flock after several attempts.
Day turkeys have the freedom to wander through grassland and woodland, enjoying a surprisingly natural existence.
As the evening approaches, Pip will have to lead Tilly and their 10,000 strong flock into a wooden barn, where they can be safe from predators.
Although his dogs are able to keep large turkeys under control most of the times, Mr Childerhouse says that there will be occasions when they attack Tilly or Pip.
“It is quite hilarious when you watch it. They will stand taller the older turkeys become.
While Mr Childerhouse might seem unconventional, he claims that he is not the only farmer who can train dogs to catch Turkeys.
He stated that dogs are not just for us, but also many other people. It’s normal for us.
According to estimates, 10 million people in the UK will consume turkeys over the holiday period.
It is thought that the tradition of eating large game birds native to North America dates back to Henry VIII’s reign.
Is DOG intelligence AKIN to HUMAN intelligence?
WebMD says that dogs’ learning abilities are diverse, just like human abilities.
Because they can move faster, dogs that have been bred to retrieve, hunt or herd are more efficient learners.
Dogs that are bred for livestock protection or tracking scents will be slower.
New research has shown that older dogs’ mental health can be slowed down by completing brain exercises on touch screens. (file photo).
WebMD states that the key to training your dog is to understand what your dog was born to do.
Trainers can train all dogs to understand basic commands.
WebMD says that these are the best breeds of dog with the highest intelligence:
- Border Collie
- Poodle
- German Shepherd
- Golden Retriever
- Doberman Pinscher
- Shetland Sheepdog
- Labrador Retriever
- Papillon
- Rottweiler
- Australian Cattle Dog