Can labs be trained to leave hens alone?

[mjclark1]

Hi Everyone,
I am new here, and hope to get some advice/suggestions on dog training.

This is my first purebred dog, my other dogs were mixed labs and had no problem with small farm animals.
I have a purebred Labrador that's almost 6months.

Here's my question: can she be trained to leave chickens alone? If she gets in the hen area, she plays with them ends up killing the birds. She's not vicious like killing to eat (like the coyotes we have), but I find a hen here and there that's been "ruffled" to death.
I want to keep both, and I want to be able to have my hens to be able to roam the yard eating.....

Thank you in advance.

[Macawpower58]

Labs are natural hunters. Since she has already killed several, I would never leave her alone with them.

An E-collar would be the best way to solve predation, but only in the hands of an expert.

[OrangeCtyCa]

Not too many farm folks here, or anywhere for that matter.
I do hope you find a solution.
In the old days it was the ol .22 caliber.

[tiffers]

Stop allowing the dog near the birds. If you keep allowing the dog to play with them, you'll keep killing off your birds. Don't let her in the coop, and make sure she knows she's no longer allowed to play with them or get in their area.

I don't have this problem as Chica (my dog) bathes the Chickens to death. She loves them. : )

[NewfieGrl]

It's funny that a thread like this was posted. Last week I was watching "The Dog Whisperer" and this exact topic came up. The guy who wrote the dog book about Marly had Caeser come to his house because his new lab had been going after their hens. Caeser worked with him with some extensive obedience training and suggested that they get involved in a hunting club, as labs have that drive and it needs to be released. The family started working with a local woman who works with the hunting aspects of dogs.
Actually, here is a link I just found which may be helpful.
http://www.marleyandme.com/blog/2006/12/coming-jan-5-john-and-jenny-on-animal.html

Good luck.
Michele
owned by 2 Newfies, a cocker spaniel and 2 cats
RIP Bootsie-March ? 1988-April 22, 2007