Can spoiling your chickens create a bad habit for them?

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

Every time i walk out the back door all my chickens start throwing themselves against the side of their pens and screaming. They're like starving inmates in a prison, banging their cups on the bars. The cacophony can get overwhelming.

My bantams aren't too rude when i put treats down. They wait until they're down before starting to gobble. But my big girls (Red Stars, a BO, and an EE) are wild women. The Red Stars are the worst. They start flying at the door before i can get inside. Then there is one of them that flies up in my face, trying to snatch the snack tray from my hand. i have the weave the plates back and forth until i can clear a spot to put it down. Once down, they literally jump into the plate, face first, and just start gobbling. They would probably eat half a crocodile (if i had it in that plate) before realizing what was heading down their crop. i also always do two plates for that bunch, since the BO and EE are more polite and i want them to have a fighting chance at the treats.

i'm not sure there is a way to train them to be polite. Some breeds might just be pushier. You may have to get to the point of throwing the treats in their general direction and running to keep from having your fingers mistaken for worms.

 

[ellieroo]

Once turned out in the A.M. my flock comes up to the front porch and knocks til I bring raisin bread and when the two slices are gone they move on.But they literally knock on the door. Husband just shakes his head!

 

[Kiwi Chicky]

I have one girl who lets the others know everytime she sees me, then they all watch and wait for a treat or some food. So I've taken to giving them a spade full of compost full of worms, then they get to scratch around and get a treat

 

[tdgill]

my chickens can be alittle overexcited for treats, and occasionally get my fingers..but it never hurts, just startles me a bit.

 

[blackwpk]

I enjoyed reading all these posts as I am sitting here saying to myself, 'yep, that's what they do! Yep, they get totally excited when they hear the gates', etc. I love my 4 RIR's and want nothing more than to spoil them rotten. After all, they are my girls!