[Clay]

I have a small flock of 12 sheep and I am trying to get them come to a bucket of feed so that I can get them back into the yard. What is the best way to train them, I have watched one smallholder and he only has to shout and his flock of cheviots come running to his bucket.

[Backinwellies]

just daily going out to feed and calling as you put food out ... sheep soon connect shout to bucket to food.   (smaller field helps!)  and dispose of any 'individual sheep fast (ie any which refuse to come near you ... they will always be trouble)

[Penninehillbilly]

Same here, I just call "c'mon sheeps", and my girl will answer and come running. Bringing her lambs so hopefully they will do the same.
Tup I had would get into neighbours fields (his were in mine first, I think my gang followed them back), anyway, went down to feed them one night, called, bleat came from wrong direction, I'd have been panicking and looking all night if she hadn't called back  .

[sabrina]

I have Hebs and give them a trickle of feed every day. They only have to see me in the distance and they come running. I can move them myself with no problems.

[silkwoodzwartbles]

Ditto the others - just feed daily. I have the opposite trouble with my Zwartbles - they come running before I'm through the gate which then means I can't reach the trough as they're all mobbing me wanting food and fuss.

[Penninehillbilly]

Ditto the others - just feed daily. I have the opposite trouble with my Zwartbles - they come running before I'm through the gate which then means I can't reach the trough as they're all mobbing me wanting food and fuss.

And going by the boy I had they are big sheep to be mugged By!

[bj_cardiff]

Just feed them every day until their very interested in the feed. Then start moving the feed trough around the field. Rattle the bucket and call them while your walking towards the trough. When you can't get to the trough without tripping over sheep - consider them trained

[in the hills]

Our Soay were very shy when we first had them. We called and then left food in a bucket for them to find once we had disappeared. Did this several times a day with just a tiny amount of food each time.

Also spent time 'hanging around' in the field with them to get them used to our presence.

They soon became more confident.

They come running from a couple of fields away now. Often come before we've even called. They hear the clang of the metal feed bin. They start shouting to us too.

Doesn't always make them easy to catch up though as they seem to sense when we have something to do with them and dart out of the catching pen before you can close the gate on them!

[Marches Farmer]

WE have a retired ewe "Nanny" sheep that goes in with the weaned ewe lambs and automatically becomes head of the flock.  The ewe lambs copy her.  Most of the ram lambs are sold as stores.  Those kept for breeding are herded - we don't want them rushing us for feed.

[Clay]

Hi thanks for all you advice it gives me the confidence to persevere

[silkwoodzwartbles]

And going by the boy I had they are big sheep to be mugged By!

Big but gentle They don't push against me, just get in the way. One of my ewes got a little over-excited unloading from the trailer onto fresh grass recently and bounced out and straight into me and stopped immediately, letting me hang onto her neck to keep my balance.

[Penninehillbilly]

The first I borrowed definitely wasnt gentle, and when he thought I'd gone he walloped the ewe straight in the belly.
His son started getting a bit too pushy (with his head), he threatened me once too often.
He's in the freezer. 

[twizzel]

My ewes were wild when I bought them  within a month they were tame enough to follow a bucket. I sat in their field quite a lot just getting them used to me being there. I honestly thought when I turned them out for the first time I wouldn't see them again  We kept a pet lamb back who helped us tame the rest up, but even had she not been with us they still would have tamed up quite easily. Not tame enough to catch in the field but follow a bucket no problem. Now I only have to call them and they will invariably come running.

[silkwoodzwartbles]

Sounds like the best place for him, Penninehillbilly! Unfriendly animals don't get to stay here!

[davet]

In winter time I got bored of hiking far up enough the hill for ours to hear me, so we whistle-trained them.