*JustChicky* :
I don't have my chicks yet
, but I do have a Beagle and she chases/hunts everything too. I love her but I will
NOT let her or my other dog (she kills mice) around them, when I get them.
mine are the same way. they catch gophers, mice, chipmunks, etc and bring them to me. just like they were bred to do. beagles are very good natured, but a chicken doesn't know the difference between play and fight. in other words, i don't think the beagle would intentionally kill the chickens, but he might play with them until the chicken dies.
the only way there might be some success with the beagle and chicken combination is that it is clearly established that the chickens are YOURS, you are the LEADER of the pack and the beagle follows your commands explicitly. (no, off, drop-it, come, stay, sit)
Our first beagle showed no interest in cats at the kennel where we got her. But she chased the cat we had at home any time he came around. I'm sure not to hurt him, but he didn't know that, so he ran.