Dog and chicks

[Dingo]

Sounds like the OP is beyond the brooder and the chicks are mostly outside(?).
You could do some counter conditioning and desensitization(CC&D) since the dog still gets worked up over them. Counter conditioning is taking a stimuli(the birds) and changing the impulse associated with them(chase) to something more acceptable(coexisting). The desensitization is to get the dog to stop having such a strong reaction to the birds. The two tend to go hand in hand (D may occur as a side effect of CC).
This is a pretty good video showing how it works.

You can also incorporate Its Yer Choice into your training. IYC is a more reliable from of leave it, it is not cued so you dont have to constantly watch the dog. It build impulse control which will be beneficial in many situations. If you want more info on these techniques feel free to PM me.

 

[Shane17]

Thanks everyone. all the suggestions make sense and I will start applying them. The you tube videos are very helpful. Thanks again

 

[jaimepowell]

I know you already have lots of great advice....just to add....I think a lot of it is just the dog's personality. We have 2 german shepherds and both LOVE our baby chicks. They are curious but so gentle with them. Once our chicks last year grew up our male was obsessed with one of our roosters--they had a weird love bond! Fun to watch them interact-I feel lucky ours do so well with them. Even if you can teach them to behave and be nice you still have to wonder if they would behave when you weren't around!