A black and white Border Collie sitting on grass in front of a wire fence with chickens walking inside the run behind it

October 5, 2026 Jessica Northrup

Are Border Collies Good With Chickens? Herding Instinct and Safety

The AKC says the Border Collie has a “tendency to herd animals and people.” An extension poultry page lists the breed of the dog, the presence of other dogs, and the dog’s past experiences as the factors that “contribute to the likelihood that a dog will attack a flock.” Plan for supervision, training, and a secured coop and run before the dog and the birds share a yard.

Can Border Collies Herd Chickens?

Herding is the work the breed was developed for. The AKC places the Border Collie in its Herding Group. Other working dog breeds do different jobs. The AKC’s history of the breed says that for the last 130 years, breeders have worked from a diverse gene pool and combined it “with the emphasis upon herding instinct, to produce the dedicated worker we know today.” That selection shaped the herding skills the breed shows today, and the AKC’s breed page calls the Border Collie “the star of the herding group.” A cute Border Collie is still a herding dog, and the AKC breed page calls it “a remarkably bright workaholic.”

The Kennel Club (UK) breed standard gives the characteristics as “Tenacious, hard-working sheep dog, of great tractability.” Its breed page says the dog’s fitness for function is seen in “its speed, its innate herding instinct and its stealthy gait and carriage.” The AKC names an “intense gaze” as a breed hallmark. Its breed standard says “Any aspect of structure or temperament that would impede the dog’s ability to function as a herding dog should be severely faulted,” and the Kennel Club’s standard describes the temperament as “Keen, alert, responsive and intelligent. Neither nervous nor aggressive.”

Herding Instinct and Prey Drive Around Chickens

The American Border Collie Association describes Border Collies as “high-energy dogs, intense and reactive to movement.” The same ABCA page says Border Collies “were designed to work long and hard in all sorts of weather.”

The AKC’s article on dogs and small pets such as rats and hamsters says some breeds “naturally have strong instincts to chase small, moving animals,” and adds that “any dog can have that instinct.” That urge is often called prey drive.

The eXtension poultry site, a national Cooperative Extension resource, says in its predator management page: “Some breeds have a greater tendency to chase prey than others.” It also says “Domestic dogs allowed to run free in a neighborhood can be a problem for poultry flocks,” and that “Not all dogs will attack a poultry flock.” The page adds that the tendency to chase prey “can be heightened by the presence of other dogs, often resulting in pack behavior.”

Training a Border Collie Around Chickens

The AKC’s breed page says “Obedience training that starts early and continues throughout the BC’s life will keep him happy and provide needed mental stimulation.” The AKC small pets article describes its S.T.A.R. Puppy program as teaching “the foundation for basic obedience skills such as sit, down, and come.” The AKC article on dogs and small pets says dog trainer Christina Weger encourages teaching impulse control skills, and that before the dog is near rats or other small pets it should understand commands such as “leave it” and “stay” and to “settle in a specific place.” Basic dog training covers commands such as these. The AKC breed page adds that “Early socialization is especially vital with the Border Collie, entailing positive exposure to a wide variety of people and situations from early puppyhood through about seven months.”

Training with positive reinforcement means rewarding the behavior you want. Weger advises: “Reward calm behavior with treats and praise.”

The American Border Collie Association says: “While the border collie works off instinct, you must learn how to channel the instincts and control your dog.”

Introducing the Dog to the Flock

The AKC article on dogs and small pets is written about rats, hamsters, and similar animals, and its advice comes from dog trainers. It says “Any increased access between species should happen gradually” and “Dogs should be leashed during interactions.” Weger says to watch the dog for “stiff posture, intense staring, or lunging.” For training sessions, she advises: “Begin with just a few minutes, gradually extending the time as both animals relax.” The article adds that “Appropriate enclosures, physical barriers, and supervision are key to keeping small pets safe.”

Housing the Flock Safely

A black and white Border Collie lying with its head low on a wooden step, with a red barn and garden plants behind it

The eXtension predator management page lists “Dogs and coyotes” among the common predators of poultry flocks. For housing, it says to have the flock roost inside a secured location at night, “making sure to close and lock all doors,” and to keep the area clean, “with no food left in the run.” For persistent predators, it says a run “covered with welded wire” may be necessary. Against digging, it says to bury hardware cloth “at least 30.5 centimeters (12 inches) into the ground.” If you want to free-range your flock and local predators are a problem, the page says “consider getting guardian dogs.” For birds that free-range, it describes movable fences, which may or may not be electrified, as a way to protect them from ground predators. It also says to “Remove sick, dying, and dead birds immediately.”

Exercise and a Job for the Dog

Border Collies are known for breed intelligence, and the Kennel Club says the breed’s natural activity and intelligence mean it “needs to be engaged to lead a fulfilled life.” The AKC calls it a “high-drive, athletic breed” that “requires daily exercise beyond just a walk around the block or a quick romp in the yard.” It adds: “A Border Collie who doesn’t work must be provided with vigorous exercise every day.” The AKC gives the breed the top score, 5 of 5, for mental stimulation needs, with the label “Needs a Job or Activity.” The American Border Collie Association says Border Collies “can make fine pets for those who can give them the extensive time, training and exercise they require.” It adds that Border Collies “need attention and training to make sure their intelligence is directed into constructive channels, not destructive ones,” and advises pet parents to “look honestly at your lifestyle and the amount of time and effort you are willing to devote to your dog.”

A black and white Border Collie running toward the camera through tall grass with its mouth open

When to Keep a Border Collie Away From the Flock

Weger says “Coexistence is possible” but “only with rigid management, respect, and understanding of each species’ needs.” The American Border Collie Association notes that “Some dogs are assertive and outgoing; others are not.” The eXtension page says “Dogs do not have sharp enough teeth to consume animals cleanly,” and that when adult birds are missing with no other signs of disturbance, “the predator probably is a dog, a coyote, a fox, a bobcat, a hawk, or an owl.” Dog trainer Erin McNeil, also quoted by the AKC, says of her own dogs and pet rats: “Some of my dogs have never become trustworthy around rats, and some learned quite quickly.”

The eXtension page says that if a dog “has had success in the past at getting food by attacking a poultry flock, it is more likely to repeat the behavior.” It also says “If birds show signs of bites all over, a dog may have attacked the flock.”

Sources

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