would aussie/border collie mix be inappropriate?

[willowcol]

I have a border-aussie, she is about 17 weeks old now. The first couple days she found the chickens fun to mess with, but has given up bothering them now. She realized quick if she messed with the chickens she got put in the kennel. She is very sweet, and very smart!

 

[tdgill]

I basically started by teaching the dog not to look at them, show any interest period. Had the dog laying on the floor and put the chick out of reach and when the dog turned its head to investigate I told him no. It was real quick that he learned not to bug them, and after I did that for a while and he show no prey drive we went outside together and practiced with supervision He never really wanted to get at them anyway, but they had been exposed to each other since the chicks were day olds. I think it would be harder and take longer if you are training a young pup though

 

[bigkford]

I have a 1 year old Mountain Feist. They are typically used for rodents and squirrel hunting. I have raised her with my chickens and I dare anything to go near them that is not suppose to. Kids everything else are fine she was raised within our family.(that includes hubby,kids,chickens,horses,cows,pigs,chinchillas,cats,kittens,etc.) I could not ask for a better dog or protector. We have chicks here now and she tries to mommy them. Yes she lays in front of them and walks a circle around them when we take them out to free range. I would get another one in a heart beat.

 

[hensonly]

Out of our five dogs, the Newfoundlands ignore the birds, one Aussie will lunge at the fence to see them squawk and run, and the other Aussie herds the entire coop, running around it to make sure it doesn't get away. The Aussies would certainly chase the birds if they could, I don't know what they'd do if they caught one. I agree, a working or guardian breed would be a better choice than a herding dog. After all, herding instinct is a combination of retrieving instinct and prey drive. I'd go for a dog with less prey drive. Whatever dog you choose, training is the key.

 

[JennsPeeps]

My neighbors have a miniature australian herder and they've lost 2 chickens to this dog, plus had a number of close calls.