My heart goes out to you on chicken loss. Training MAY help. I was terrified when we got chickens that we would have a huge problem since we have 6 dogs of different breeds(maltese, min. poodle, chinese crested, chihuahua(he learned chickens can kick his little 2 pound butt), and a german shepherd). So far, knock on wood, we have not had a problem, however we watch at all times when they are out together. You never know when a chicken running across the yard will spark a game of chase. I was the most worried about the GSD but since she is heavily trained to start with she is my best dog. She watchful of the chicks in the brooder and has learned that at night on command "chickens to bed" she and I go out and close the the pens up for the night. She does a perimeter check on each run.
We have an egg production coop/run in one area and the "pet" chickens live in our fenced area sharing with the dogs "safe" play, potty area.
Now....I doggy sit for my father when he goes out of town. He now has 2 dogs. When I picked them up yesterday I made sure that they were on leads, as I didn't know how they would react. Good thing too because his little nonsense is a chicken chaser(caught him before he caught our pet chickens). The lab/chow puppy is a little better. It is going to be a long week
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Point of post. Training can help, and do alot of good, but be ever mindful when they are in the same space. Start with the basic obedience training, if the dog has this training reinforce it. Since you know that this dog has the drive to chase/kill perhaps keeping the dog on lead when outside will give you greater control of the dog and the opportunity for corrective training when around chickens. I hope you can find a way for both to live in harmony for the most part.
