Can I tame them???

[PoultryGirly]

Hi. I have 3 hens from McMurray Hatchery. They are almost 5 months old. The breeds are: a Barred Rock, a Partridge Cochin, and an Easter Egger, I also have a BR roo. Is there any way to tame them??? Oh, and when should I expect to see eggs??? Thanks in advance!

 

[fried green eggs]

The hens combs will get very red and look a little swollen when they are ready to start laying. 5 - 6 months so, yours should be getting close. They lay small eggs at first.
As for taming them - This is what I do. I hope it will give you some ideas.
I do it in stages and it works very quickly. Step 1 don't force them to be close to you. I don't go in their pen or coop any more than necessary - if they are scared. I throw treats into them through the fence like scratch, fruit etc. Before long they look forward to seeing me and will start rushing towards me to get the treats, I drop the treats closer and closer to me until just the fence is between us. Step 2 Go into their pen with treats and just sit quietly. I use a Red or bright colored bucket to sit on - LOL they love bright colors. When they come up to investigate what I'm sitting on -I drop treats for them. I don't try to pick them up but, I will reach down and stroke their breast - they move off at first but, come back and before long they are jumping into my lap

and they look forward to me coming into their pen.
I let mine out to free-range after they have learned where to lay eggs. When I want to put them away early - I just shake a bucket with scratch and they come running from all over the place. LOL I don't give them any treats outside the pen but, throw it inside the gate. Putting them away is never a problem and they are tame enough to be fun to be around. Good Luck with yours.

 

[PoultryGirly]

Thanks Fried Green Eggs!

 

[the1much]

i had an easter egger who used to jump up on my knee and rub against me like a cat.they all are tame, but just like us wierd people some like affection some dont. 5-7 months old should be the "around" age hens will start laying in perfect conditions.weather food light housing stress over other animals can influence that tho.

Jim

 

[Leghornmum]

You can clicker train chickens too! I taught mine all sorts of tricks... also, to get them to come near, find a stool and sit outside of the coop. Singing or whistling will draw them near!