wow, they sound like amazing dogs!! Are they LGD breeds or just smart? I'll have to train my own dog He hasn't met them yet, waiting until they're a bit bigger. I think he konws they are there though as he has smelled their litter and supplies brought in from garage and has followed my brother upstairs once but door was shut yet he seems to show no interest. Maybe he just has never seen a chicken before so doesn't know that it is something interesting. Or maybe he had chickens on his farm he came from as a pup and still remembers lol He loves to just go lay out in the yard and he barks at many many things, basically everything now to the point of annoyance (people walking by, neighbors making too much noise, etc.) so I think he would be useful. However he does chase the cat but I attribute that to lack of exercise as he hasn't really gotten any. Plus he's a bit food guardy with her but not us (well, he used to be with bones but he doesn't get those anymore plus we have worked with him a lot) only because we were pretty stupid and used to, and sometimes still do a lot, tell him the cat is nearby or the cat is gonna get his food to get him to come. He quickly learned though that it was a cruel trick so now he usually doesn't bother when we say it unless we make it seem urgent but he will still chase her away when she is near his food or just eat really fast. We're working on that. Well, not yet but we're going to. He also sometimes just chases her for fun. But again, I attribute that to both lack of exercise and lack of mental stimulation. I was doing training, both tricks and new obedience/manners stuff we didn't do, or puzzle toys and feeders, etc. etc. but haven't done any of that or exercise lately. he is a very very intelligent dog so he really needs something to do. He loves to lay outside and that seems to sometimes wear him out as it's a"job" but, again, he barks and often gets brought in. He really needs more though anyways. BUT. He's gotten really good and now will often just do a half trot thing rather than full chase to be like "ooohhh a kitty" and then I say "leave her alone" or something to that effect and he does and often comes to me or leaves the room so that is good. He knows he isn't supposed to, he's just bored out of his mind. I need to get better about exercise but he often sleeps all day so it seems he doesn't need it but he really does. He goes crazy at night often lately. I've been playing with him at night now though and making him run around, playingg tug, etc. so that helps but I'd like to start walks again. I think with the proper exercise and with time he would get bored with the chickens. Not sure about them free ranging though but I think I would supervise it or try within the run first to allow him to get bored and some training to take place (maybe get some steak or raw meat or something or play with him to help teach him that I am much much more rewarding and interesting than any chicken) before I let them loose. That would be good anyway to teach them where home is. I do worry though that with the Lab side he may be too interested. We will see though. It would have been great to get them when he was a puppy but oh well. but anyway, sorry, I'm rambling now haha
seems like tons of people , maybe even most, give away roos for free or very cheap. I guess because there's so many and most people want pullets and get roos on accident. But yeah, I've heard quite a few horror stories here about CL. It's sad 
I got my chicks from a hatchery and probably will in the future but I may eventually buy from a breeder and/or BYC person. Eventually I'd love to try hatching myu own chicks or buying day olds and putting them under a broody but that won't be for a long time probably
unfortunately though we only have around 3 acres (I think it's technically 2.7) and a bunch is woods so there's not tons of room to patrol. We used to just let him loose but he always ran off so now he's been on a long rope since last year. It goes to most of the yard and he likes to lay down on a hill or in the dirt and watch everything but he can't get to most of the edges. He does try to patrol though, especially when there have been animals overnight. I may start taking him on a normal walking leash or our 50 foot hiking one (I call it.hiking but really it's just for the cranberry bogs or pond, etc., anywhere that's not a normal road) and letting him patrol in addition to the walks. I think that would make him happy especially since the animals tend to go where he can't reach. But when he picks up a predator, which doesn't happen too often but has lately, usually in the morning, he runs all over the place, pacing back and forth, tracking and backtracking, running around, etc., very agitated but excited I guess. And usually marks over it. He definitely acts more like the Pyrenees side, besides loving everyone and being playful, and it's very interesting. Anyway, he can't patrol on his own since the yard isn't fenced. But I think taking him on a patrol morning and possibly night of at least the yard and maybe the woods as well as a normal walk might be.fun for him. Might actually let him do his job instead of feeling so limited. And will try allowing him to meet the chicks.
