The adolescent phase has nothing to do with the dog having a job. It's pretty well expected to go a little nuts when they are 8ish months old. Pups that never chased a chicken before may start to do so. If it doesn't happen, great. But best to be aware and on watch so you can correct bad...
Ain't THAT the truth! My girls get seriously POed when I have the gate that lets them come up around the house closed. You would think an acre out back of the barn would be good enough but NO! They have their favorite spots all around the house and want to be there.
Sorry the proof of the value of the dogs came with that price @Dr.Dale :( Yep, sounds like a coon. Chickens like to lie against fences, coons normally eat only the head, neck and crop of a chicken even when it has full access.
You and the dogs will learn together. The mistake you can make is to assume that you know best and the dogs need to do what you want them to when you want them to or else.
Yes they need to learn that the chickens are not squeaky toys and from all I've read don't be surprised if you lose a few...
You have a 150 pound Maremma? That is beyond huge, the high end for males is generally about 100 pounds. Maybe he is a Maremma x GP, heavy on the GP genes.
@Dr.Dale, I hope all continues to go well with your pups. My understanding is that their chicken chasing usually begins around 8 or 9...