How to tame my chickens?

Date sort Score sort
papileo

papileo

In the Brooder
5 Years
Oct 22, 2014
88
2
48
Los Angeles, California
I have six chicken, two roos, and four hens. Ive had one too for two years, one hen for six months, one hen for three months and two hens for two weeks. None of them let themselves so I could carry them, pet them or put the roos on my shoulders. Usually they are calm around me but whenever I do any sudden movement they move away from me. It would be nice to have chickens that follow me or eat out of my hand with no problem! How do you guys do it?
 
When you feed them treats, sit down and toss them a few feet from you. Keep moving it closer slowly, until the treats are on your hand. That is what I did, and my pullet let me pet her yesterday! Then,after a few weeks of them completely comfortable with eating out of your hand, gently pet them while feeding them. Them their favorite treat when taming. For example, if they love raisins, only give them raisins when taming.They will learn that raisins come from the human, so humans are good! It takes patience, and I recommend doing it in the evening, or when they are the calmest.
 
Last edited:
chickenraiser24 said:
When you feed them treats, sit down and toss them a few feet from you. Keep moving it closer slowly, until the treats are on your hand. That is what I did, and my pullet let me pet her yesterday! Then,after a few weeks of them completely comfortable with eating out of your hand, gently pet them while feeding them. Them their favorite treat when taming. For example, if they love raisins, only give them raisins when taming.They will learn that raisins come from the human, so humans are good! It takes patience, and I recommend doing it in the evening, or when they are the calmest.
Click to expand...

I agree but do bear in mind that some chickens simply don't like to be petted no matter what you try to do. I'm sure if you follow the above advice then at least some (and maybe all) will become friendly.

CT
 
Some chickens don't like to be touched.My hens are sweet and move out of my way,doesn't may they dislike you.
 
CT is right. Not all chickens like to be handled or even touched. Follow the recommended "treat" protocol, and in a few days, you'll know which ones are candidates for corruption.

One thing I've noticed, potential candidates will hand out close but just out of range while I'm indulging in love fests with the friendliest ones. They're observing the treatment these friendlies are getting, and they're very curious about it. Those are the ones you want to focus on.

Don't be a big hurry. Get comfortable, relax, and grasp a raisin between the tips of two fingers. Make the hesitant ones work hard for bites from the single raisin. As they're completely absorbed in whittling away at the raisin, slowly touch their breast. Touching their back comes much later after they trust you. Keep feeding one raisin at a time while touching and stroking the breast.

After a few days of that, you can graduate to holding the treat in close to your body and making the chicken stand in your lap for it. By that time, you will probably be able to bring in your arms and hold the chicken while you deliver the treat. Stroke face and wattles and comb. especially the ear lobes, as those are sensitive areas and they adore having them stroked.

Use their name while you engage in this training, and you may be able to get them to learn their names and to respond to you when you call them.
 
azygous said:
CT is right. Not all chickens like to be handled or even touched. Follow the recommended "treat" protocol, and in a few days, you'll know which ones are candidates for corruption.

One thing I've noticed, potential candidates will hand out close but just out of range while I'm indulging in love fests with the friendliest ones. They're observing the treatment these friendlies are getting, and they're very curious about it. Those are the ones you want to focus on.

Don't be a big hurry. Get comfortable, relax, and grasp a raisin between the tips of two fingers. Make the hesitant ones work hard for bites from the single raisin. As they're completely absorbed in whittling away at the raisin, slowly touch their breast. Touching their back comes much later after they trust you. Keep feeding one raisin at a time while touching and stroking the breast.

After a few days of that, you can graduate to holding the treat in close to your body and making the chicken stand in your lap for it. By that time, you will probably be able to bring in your arms and hold the chicken while you deliver the treat. Stroke face and wattles and comb. especially the ear lobes, as those are sensitive areas and they adore having them stroked.

Use their name while you engage in this training, and you may be able to get them to learn their names and to respond to you when you call them.
Click to expand...

Agreed. A couple things to add........

Move extremely slowly. Sudden movements will scare them. Also, you can begin taking them off the roost temporarily at night. Hold them and stroke them until they are calm, then put them back on the roost. This gets them used to being handled.
 
Some tame quicker than others but if they are not jungle fowl then you will be able to tame even the crazies.


With respect to treats, consider live meal worms. Also consider focusing efforts on a single bird to work out your technique. I would even take it inside and sit down to read a book or watch TV. Confine bird to your lap and have some meal worms in a bowl within reach of bird. Avoid watch bird directly. Then relate what happens here.
 
centrarchid said:
Some tame quicker than others but if they are not jungle fowl then you will be able to tame even the crazies.


With respect to treats, consider live meal worms. Also consider focusing efforts on a single bird to work out your technique. I would even take it inside and sit down to read a book or watch TV. Confine bird to your lap and have some meal worms in a bowl within reach of bird. Avoid watch bird directly. Then relate what happens here.
Click to expand...

I have a friend in Olympia WA who runs a rooster rescue. He swears that taking a cantankerous rooster inside and holding him on your lap while watching a full length movie is the best way to, not only bond with him, but it establishes dominance over him.

I don't see why it wouldn't work wonders with a stand-offish hen, too. My problem is I can't sit in one place for an hour, let alone two.
 
Then one might be able to carry the bird about. When I take my birds to a public showing I often have one ride in front seat of vehicle with me. As we go down rode I provide meal worms to get bird relaxed. Generally by end of trip bird calm enough to sit on my lap without restraint. Then less likely to abscond once released at display site.
 

Similar threads

M
Egg laying
2
Replies
18
Views
904
aart
aart
V
    • Like
Two not with the program
Replies
5
Views
695
Penpal
P
african chickens
Pullet not laying?
Replies
7
Views
882
rosemarythyme
rosemarythyme
P
    • Like
20 chickens and six eggs a day
Replies
3
Views
656
aart
aart
B
    • Like
Question for Easter Egger Owners
2 3
Replies
28
Views
2K
BonnieBlue
B

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom