Border Aussie mix train to herd

Question
Hi,

I recently got a Border/ Aussie mix.  She is extremely intelligent and loves to train.  She is 12 months old and has no training.  I'm just teaching her the basics (sit, stay, down, off, lead on left) but I'd like to teach her to herd.  I don't have any sheep, goats or cattle but I do have  14 hens and was wondering if she can be trained to herd the chickens and if so what is the best way to train her to do this?  Thank you.

Answer
Well, both Aussies and Border Collies are used to herd ducks, so you probably can.  I'm not a herding trainer, but my advice is to find one who can help you.  Also, be aware that even though you think you may have a Border/Aussie mix, other mixes can look like that combination, so you have to consider that your dog may have additional genes, and may not have the innate herding ability, or as repressed a "kill instinct" as those breeds tend to have, so the chickens might look like "lunch meat" instead of livestock to be herded.