Chicken Training Stories (Intentional or not!)

[Cephalo]

Hello!

I am planning on getting my first chicks this spring and wondered if the BYC community could share their chicken training stories.

What have you trained your chickens to do on purpose? What about accidental habits that you’ve taught them? I know I’ve accidentally trained my dogs all sorts of things, so I’d like to be prepared when I have a blank slate to work with. And I’d like to hear some funny stories

(new member introduction: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/greetings-from-northern-michigan.1341626/page-5)

 

[cmom]

I'm sure you will get a lot of ideas. I could probably write a book of the things I have learned over the years. I had my first flock around 50 years ago in Traverse City, MI. There were years when I didn't have any birds due to moving and work. I have had them again for the past 20 years. I guess that is living and learning. Do a lot of research. Everyone's situation is different so you will have to discover what will work best for you. Try something and if it works great and if it doesn't work out so well either tweak it or try something else. Good luck and have fun...

 

[Bantam Trick Chickens]

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbL_edlEW4fHLdfLnf7lBSw
I train my chickens to do all sorts of tricks! They love training so much! I also train my school's chickens but because of Corona I can't anymore

 

[Lovem all]

We trained our chickens that when we yell hawk and clap our hands they should run into the coop, which they do. All except for my Ricky who stands guard at the entrance.

 

[NatJ]

Whistle every time you bring treats. They will soon come running when you whistle. But if you whistle without bringing treats, they will quit coming--they are actually pretty smart that way! (Doesn't have to be a whistle--you could call with words, or bang on the bowl, or ring a bell, or any other sound.)

("Treats" in this case means anything they like. So it could be kitchen scraps, it could be weeds from the garden, it could be mealworms or scratch. Or it could even be chicken food with water added to make mush. Yes, they seem to love that too, and there are no worries about giving them "too much" and unbalancing their diet.)

 

[PioneerChicks]

Welcome to BYC, @Cephalo!

I train my chickens to come when I call. The cool thing is, they only respond to my voice. When somebody else tries my "magic words" (here chicky, chicky, chicky) the chickens might peek at them, but don't come. Then I call and they all come running. Another thing is, use the same tone of voice every time you say the word(s).

I am training them several random tricks too, more for fun than practical.

If you are wondering about training them how to coop at night, please read this article: Training Chickens to "Coop" at Night

 

[Ruthster55]

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbL_edlEW4fHLdfLnf7lBSw
I train my chickens to do all sorts of tricks! They love training so much! I also train my school's chickens but because of Corona I can't anymore

Love your videos!!

 

[Ruthster55]

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbL_edlEW4fHLdfLnf7lBSw
I train my chickens to do all sorts of tricks! They love training so much! I also train my school's chickens but because of Corona I can't anymore

Have you noticed any differences in the ability of different chicken breeds to learn tricks? Just by observing the chickens in my yard, I suspect that Old English and the Bantams like you have are some of the best learners, but I was also pretty impressed by your friend's Barred Rock!

 

[Flockincrazy]

so i accidentally thought my flock when its time to go in at night I had to start over this yr with a new flock so while I was revamping the nestboxes and run I was letting them free range and calling them to go in at dusk and inadvertently taught them what time to go in for bed

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

My chickens come running at the sight of me and when I talk. I don't even have to say any specific words. XD they know my voice. I had a small bantam hens that I taught to jump on on the food scoop so I could pet her and she would eat.