My New and Used Stock Handling Equipment!

The afternoon was hot.

I had been busy in the house and decided about 2:00 PM to go to the sheep pens and try out my new and used stock handling equipment. I had been thinking about this for several days and looking forward to my new adventure.

I took KAT, Journey, BOO and Bess (the Aussie) . 

Drover chilled in his “Drover Cave” in the basement…

First KAT had to gather and bring the main flock of 50 that were in the field (below left photo) into the new sorting/working arena.  This was hot difficult work for KAT. They did not want to come…The sheep have a routine… this was not part of it…  plus they know we are going to do something! KAT completed the job nicely… and put the sheep where I wanted them.

KAT’s next task was to bring in the arena lambs…They do not flock together… I like that! She had to use all of her skills and brain, plus all her abilities physically to accomplish this… the lambs are about 5 months old and  weaned recently. There were six. KAT and I put them in the holding area.

The Stock Handling Equipment was run by BOO, Journey and Bess the Aussie.  KAT was the Main Operator. All were directed by me .

                                          I have a small 40 foot by 6 foot alley and on the far end from where I had my stock handling equipment set up there is a gated round pen 16 feet in diameter.  Then on the opposite end I do not have a gate on the alleyway  that leads into the 16 foot by 16 foot odd shaped fenced area we work in.  

I was eager to try out the new idea with my experienced dogs KAT and BOO plus my two inexperienced dogs Journey and Bess.

I had a folding chair and small bench for my supplies set up in the corner of the odd shaped pen.

On the left and right side at the end of the alley way there are two small 4 foot by 6 foot pens. I stationed Journey on my right and BOO on my left inside of them.  Then on the right just outside of the alleyway is a pen 10 foot by 10 foot pen, I stationed Bess    in there. All the dogs were loose in their respective areas and able to use their natural abilities freely…The areas the dogs were chosen to work in was based on their power with the sheep. I was relying on the dogs presence and power to hold the sheep and KAT’s ability to move the sheep where and when I needed her to.

The Invisible Gate was held by Journey and BOO. The sheep proved difficult to move by them.

KAT was loose to work the alley way and what ever else was needed.

Commands I used with KAT were: Stand, Stay, Walk up, Wait, There!, That will do, Away, Here to me, Come Bye, Ahey!, and  out! 

Commands I used for BOO and Journey: Hey! what are you doing! get out of that.

Bess was good and worked the 10 foot fence. Her presence pushed the sheep over to me.

KAT worked the alleyway, and the pen I was in. KAT was able to move the sheep to me and hold them there because of the other three dogs holding their positions. Just like a chute would! It is a sweet set up.

A good cold bottle of tea and a pair of reading glasses and I was set!

KAT brought the first group in the 6 lambs.

There was just enough pressure from the dogs in the pens to hold the lambs in the corner where I was stationed. I only had to get up twice to catch a lamb! They have grown so much that I could not catch and hold  the 90 pound lambs from my chair…The other 4 considerably lighter in weight with KAT working on command… I caught and never had to rise from my chair.

I checked for parasites and drenched as needed. Trimmed all the feet . Doctored anything that was indicated.

When we finished the 6 lambs… I was amazed! (My body says this morning I should have stopped at this point) but we kept going! This is a great set up! What good stock handling by the dogs… using our simple yet effective equipment! 

I checked the rest of the herd except for two weathers they have big horns and I need help with them…I drenched as needed, doctored and trimmed 6 more sheep feet! 

My stock handling equipment consisted of 3 English Shepherds, 1 Aussie, a pair of sheep feet trimmers, drench, folding camp chair, an old bench, and a good set up of pens.

Thankfully all this work took place under the nice shade trees along the branch where we had a good breeze!