That's why we got a mix lol! To me it's the best of both rolled into one. But it's that incredible intelligence that I want and need in a farm dog. Once my dogs learn that I do not want them messing with the chickens in any way they ignore them completely. No chicken herding allowed on my place!
Lol, if you can tolerate one! Their intelligence as well as their energy level is through the roof! I consider them super easy to train because of that but you do have to stay a step ahead. Really quick little brains in those fuzzy heads! If you can keep one adequately busy and have time to...
The couple of aussies I have had did really well with my chickens but were not guardian's in any sense of the word! Mine just did not have the guarding/territorial instinct at all. They were very gentle, motherly dogs with my birds and all our other animals though.
Now my current ranch dog...