COME chickens!!!

[rockgirl365]

Is there any way to train my chickens to come when they're called? I've tried shaking the treat bag and yelling but they seem to ignore me or run away. I don't usually get to interact with them until they come back in the coop after free-ranging all day.

 

[MarkJr]

Get them to trust you with irresistible treats.
Once they trust you and associate you with delicious treats, you will wonder why you ever started taking them.
Photo for proof.

Couldn’t take a step. One dog, one broody and 8 eight week chicks competing for the fork full.

 

[rosemarythyme]

They need to learn to associate bag/container sound with food, same with vocals + food. So shake bag while standing close to the chickens (or use your vocal command of choice) then throw some treats (just a bit). Wait for them to eat, shake bag/call again, throw some treats. Do this a few times daily.

It's not instant but once they start looking up each time you shake the bag or call, (and always reward) that means they've learned the command. After that you should be able to do it further away and have them run to you.

 

[rockgirl365]

Thank you. I hope mine are smart enough to connect the dots xD

 

[MarkJr]

Thank you. I hope mine are smart enough to connect the dots xD

Chickens listen to their belly. Smart or stupid, they gravitate toward food.

 

[Shezadandy]

Work on the positive association in a confined space where you're the most interesting thing going. If you have a fenced yard around the coop, that's a good spot, but if the coop is the only spot, start it in there.

As for outside- depending on what you're offering as a treat, it may be tough to compete with what they're finding on their own- but most chickens will go after a sure thing. Outside, start with your friendliest bird and show her the treats. The easiest way to attract everyone else ... is for them to see that SOMEONE ELSE is getting the treat first!

Then associate it with whatever call you want.

As mentioned above, always give them the reward. I've trained my broody hens to come to the front of the coop (where they get their own suite overnight) by associating it with watermelon or mealworms - getting their attention calling "mamma babies momma babies" didn't take long. A day maybe- much easier than trying to herd them in.

In the summer if I show up in the mid afternoon, everyone comes running - that means watermelon or scratch is up for grabs. When I toss out the watermelon wedges, it's a little creepy ... because all 140 or so will silently, expectantly jog behind me until l start dumping the pieces in the shade.

 

[Breakfast for dinner]

You’ll get em trained. I walk out and say “where’s my crazy azz chickens at” and they can’t come fast enough.

 

[Callender Girl]

Mine are trained too well. The sound of the back door opening brings a flock of hens onto the deck with everyone expecting a tossed grape or two. And, taking the lid off any of the garbage cans where the feed is stored will bring chickens, ducks and geese in a free-for-all dash to my feet. The Chicken Dance here is me trying to move my feet while not stepping on anybody's body!

 

[21hens-incharge]

Mine are trained too well. The sound of the back door opening brings a flock of hens onto the deck with everyone expecting a tossed grape or two. And, taking the lid off any of the garbage cans where the feed is stored will bring chickens, ducks and geese in a free-for-all dash to my feet. The Chicken Dance here is me trying to move my feet while not stepping on anybody's body!

So true!

Mine don't get out much due to hawks but the sound of the door still gets them all hollering. When we are out (yes I stay out with them the entire time they are out WHEN they get out) the yellow feed scoop brings everyone at high speed.

 

[CHlCKEN]

I have a method! My pullets caught on FAST to (like in 3 days fast!)

I think my chickens have an addiction to scratch- in other words, no other treat, crickets, mealworms, or table scraps, can beat scratch. I just buy a feed sized bag and put it in one of my trash cans that I use for food storage inside the run. You start training them inside the run. You open the lid of the trash can and annunciate the changing of the lid. Then you throw and handful or two of the scratch and let them feast! You continue to clang the lid for a few weeks until you notice an immediate reaction from the noise when inside the run. After that start teaching them outside the run. Clang the lid when free ranging time is up and watch your chickens come running over with that fast-paced little waddle! (They may have some trouble finding the door but they’ll get it )

if your chickens are scratch-crazed like mine, you can use mealworms or whatever their favorite treat is (remember you can’t give it to them every single day, so sometimes you substitute the treat for their layer feed and hope they notice) or if you don’t have a trash can, then you can use rocks inside a can and shake it, or a cow bell. Something loud. They come RUNNING!