There's no use in punishing your dog unless u catch him in he act!!! Try some avoidance skills instead - make sure he cant get in there-or-make the chooks a worthless venture for him - teach him that the chooks are of no benefit to or for him!!! Each time he goes nears the chooks, praise him if there is no action from him, ignore him when he goes near them.............he'll soon get da message and realize which is the better course 4 him 2 take but only he can make that conscious choice = asda saying goes: "you can lead a dog to water but u cant make him drink"