Any tips on moving with a herd/flocks/LGDs/barn cats?

Morning all,

Some of you already know this but we are building a home, close to where we are now, and will be moving within the next few weeks. The new barn is nearly ready for animals and we are now planning the big switch over.

I am concerned about stressing the animals, acclimating them to the new place, and "rehoming" them so that they don't try to "go home". We have about 15 goats, two LGDS, 50+ chickens, and 3 barn kitties.

I was thinking that it might be best to lock them all in the main barn for maybe a a few weeks or more before opening it up to the runs and pastured area, especially for the cats, but I wonder how the dogs will do---I wonder if since it is close to the old home, if they will try to take the herd home.

With the goats too I am concerned about traveling fever (which can happen even over short distances, and any time they are stressed) and know some people use preventative treatments like Bovi Sera.

Anyone move and have any tips? Dos or Don'ts or Wish I Hads?

We moved our herd in July about 10 miles. We had no issues. Mikey the LGD was the only one who seemed really stressed, but he just whined for about 2 days.
The goats seemed to just want to check out the new place.
Maybe it was just they were so happy because the new place was so much better than the old
We didn't do any pre-treatment for shipping fever, but just kept our eyes out for any signs of stress.

On moving cats, an old English lady once told me how to do that and it works. When you get to the new place, butter their paws. They will immediately start licking the butter off, this triggers their grooming response and they will go through their whole grooming routine. They are then relaxed and at "home." I have done this and it really works. It wouldn't hurt to confine them for awhile as well, since you aren't moving that far away.

Thanks both! I will try the butter thing--can't hurt any lol. The cats are the ones most likely to roam off. Luckily, the buyers are very nice and will call us if the animals show up.

OFA, did you do any confinement with the dogs? Any escape attempts?

Pearce Pastures said:

Thanks both! I will try the butter thing--can't hurt any lol. The cats are the ones most likely to roam off. Luckily, the buyers are very nice and will call us if the animals show up.

OFA, did you do any confinement with the dogs? Any escape attempts?

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No, no problems.
I don't think Angle the pup had to much "connection" with the old place.
Emma our lab mix was just glad we took her with us
Mikey was the only one who seemed stressed at all. Did not seem to bother the goats in the least.

I know it isn't quite the same but every year once winter is over we head over to the neighbors and put up extensive hotwire (3 strand) somewhere on his land... he lets us use about 30 acres. We generally only do an acre and move it from time to time. The goats nor the dogs can see us or the house. The goats nor the dogs are ever trying to find their way home. The dogs stay with the goats and the goats don't care that all they have is a temp shelter.

Friends of ours just moved, we helped them get their fencing ready etc. The goats, chickens, dogs never skipped a beat.

Following! As we will be moving soon as well and our herd is substantially bigger!

When we moved here a few years ago, we used goats shavings that were their bedding in the previous home, used in their crates for transport ect and put them directly in their new home. This helped that their scent was there and helped establish 'home' quickly.
For other animals (horses, chickens and dogs) we just made sure their beds, shelters, and hide-outs were already set up and secure, so everything already smelled familiar and secure.

As yucky as it sounds, dont underestimate the power of poop!!!! The own animals feces in the new area will give comfort and help settle into their new turf.

Best of luck!!!!

Last night, I took one of our dogs over to the new barn. She seemed happy and confused. I let her run around the field and then she darted into the barn ans started smelling all of our stuff. I could tell she was thinking "This smells like our stuff! Why is our stuff here?" Maybe I should do the same with the other dogs, let them sniff out the place, maybe mark it

The big move will be before the end of this month. I spent a few hours yesterday digging in concrete blocks around the perimeter of the barn and pens to prevent predators from being able to easily dig in or my dogs from digging out. I plan to pen them all inside for a few weeks, then open it up to a temporary yard we are setting up.

I would take them with you when you go work.
It'll probably help them if it becomes a place they go to...It will be less shocking that way I think.

I want to know more from people with true working LGDs. Since so many are prone to roaming, how the heck do you teach them where the new territory is and to not go back to the old one??