Can adult chickens be taught how to follow you

[estheramelia]

Okay. I finally found a reputable breeder that sells the specific breed. I'm going to be ordering a one year old chicken. I won't be keeping it for egg or meat production, just a feathery companion. When I have the time, I want to take it for nature walks the place around our house is a very open space and a bunch of places where chickens could sneak off to, but at the same time sometimes crowded and a bunch of people who might think of it as an abandoned egg layer. No leashes, I have had enough of leashes, no more leashes. Any other method other than leashes!!!

 

[Pork Pie]

Dunno really - but if the area gets busy sometimes, then i would have thought that peeps might be walking their dogs and that could be terminal! Since the hen is mature, it cannot imprint on you, so getting it to follow you around when theres so many interesting bugs etc to eat will not be too easy i wouldn't imagine.

CT

 

[appps]

No, you can't take it for walks. They will follow you if you have treats but that's going to look a bit like hansel and Gretel leaving breadcrumbs lol. First dog you pass not on a leash and that will be the end of her.

You could probably train it to stay in a basket or something, used to be a fellow on here who took his rooster for rides on his bike handlebars. If you aren't after eggs perhaps a gentle rooster may be an option too, may be less flighty.

Also they really aren't solitary birds, 2-3 would be kinder for the birds and if there are no girls 2-3 roosters won't fight.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You are probably going to find a one year old hen is frightened by you, they are flock animals and require others of their kind to be happy, they aren't dogs. I think you need to rethink your plan.

 

[estheramelia]

You are probably going to find a one year old hen is frightened by you, they are flock animals and require others of their kind to be happy, they aren't dogs. I think you need to rethink your plan.

Guy's, guys, >< I meant chickens, not a chicken

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I read you are getting a chicken, not some chickens, sorry, you still will have trouble getting an older chicken to bond with you, I used to have a small flock of bantams that would follow me around the yard to do my gardening, but I raised them from chicks and they thought I was their mom, that's your best bet.

 

[estheramelia]

I read you are getting a chicken, not some chickens, sorry, you still will have trouble getting an older chicken to bond with you, I used to have a small flock of bantams that would follow me around the yard to do my gardening, but I raised them from chicks and they thought I was their mom, that's your best bet.

It's completely my fault, I DID write in singular form.
I just joined yesterday and I'm looking to get my first ever chicken. I have no idea about anything about poultry. Thanks for the info!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Well welcome, there's plenty of information to be found here, and of course a love of all birds, so ask plenty of questions and share your plans and eventually your chickens, what breed are you looking to getting?

 

[Chickenchick11]

You won't be able to get your bird to follow you like a dog, but with some practice you should be able to get them to come to you and follow you for a bit. I taught a three year old chicken to follow me last year. I use cracked corn, sunflower seeds, or some other treat to entice the chicken to come up to me, then I drop a few of the treat on the ground. After that I walk backwards about 8 feet, shake the treat cup to get said chicken's attention, and throw a few more treats on the ground. It takes awhile, but eventually the chicken should come up to you if you call and shake the treat cup. Good luck!

 

[estheramelia]

Well welcome, there's plenty of information to be found here, and of course a love of all birds, so ask plenty of questions and share your plans and eventually your chickens, what breed are you looking to getting?

I was trying to get some shamo hens and a malay rooster but I heard malay roos don't fit well with hens so I might just buy the roo. I'm not trying to make a profit.