Do chickens listen to certain people only?

[cutebunny]

Hi guys, so I have a pair of Serama chickens. I've had them a little over a month. They would go outside and play for a little while. We couldn't leave them unattended because there are too many cats around in the neighborhood .

After a few hours, we would call them in and it seems that they obey more when it's my mother's voice rather than mine.

Do chickens favour certain voice over another? Or is it just a coincidence?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Yes, this is one reason verbal cues are not always the best. Tone, pitch, volume, etc all vary from person to person. Conditioning them to a sound other than spoken words helps....a "rattle can" (empty water bottle, hand full of grit), bell, whistle, etc...these are more consistent regardless of person using them.

 

[ChickNanny13]

2x When I first get chicks, I make a clicking sound to get their attention when approaching the brooder & when they move to their Chicken House. An empty plastic container (sour cream/cottage cheese size) 3/4 filled with freeze dried mealworms rattling will get them come a running from where ever they are. Talking ... I get a look

 

[drumstick diva]

Maybe you need to call "Chick-eeee Chick-eeee Chick, chick chick." in a hog calling voice.

 

[cutebunny]

Ol Grey Mare: awwhhh.. I'm kinda sad because I've been spending time with them the most .So I thought they'd get used to my voice more.

Ol Grey Mare & ChickNanny13: I tried shaking their jar of crumbles and they did come running inside . But wouldn't it make them expect food everytime I shake it?

Drumstick diva: Idk tho. My mom effortlessly calls out their name and they'd listen. So I think by changing the way I call them wouldn't make a difference.

 

[Sinful chick]

Ol Grey Mare: awwhhh.. I'm kinda sad because I've been spending time with them the most .So I thought they'd get used to my voice more.

Ol Grey Mare & ChickNanny13: I tried shaking their jar of crumbles and they did come running inside . But wouldn't!) hmmmm... I suppose I should feel special...it make them expect food everytime I shake it?

Drumstick diva: Idk tho. My mom effortlessly calls out their name and they'd listen. So I think by changing the way I call them wouldn't make a difference.

I
Never really thought about it much, but my babies only respond to MY voice....anyone else is given a funny look, and my “man” comes out with an attitude towards that other person and automatically wants to challenge. (I wish he wouldn’t behave that way, but he’s his own guy”) I guess I should “feel special”!?

 

[cutebunny]

Sinful chick: yes, you definitely should feel special! It's kinda weird that all of them prefer that one particular voice instead of one liking this voice and the other like the other voice

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

As far as shaking the treat can. That is the point- you are conditioning them to learn this sound means they get treats. It can be as few treats as you like. It's like they are working for food.
Does your mom say something that you don't?
For instance, I shake the container of mealworms and they come running. I say time to go in and keep saying "in" until they go into their run. They then get a small handful of treats tossed into their run.
I also have had to use this technique to get them out of the corn field next to my house. I give them access to the container for a second, then say time to go in. Always the same and the same phrase. The treat can be different though. But, they know the different sounds - mealworms sound different than these other poultry treats I bought. So the other sound is not as enticing - the chickens will come, but takes them longer.
Expecting a payoff for a job well done is par for the course. It's about training and conditioning since they are food motivated, it works just don't give too many at one time.

 

[Shorty22366]

My babies come running when they hear me but if my husband goes out and talks to them they give him the who the heck are you look. Funny how they respond to different voices and people.

 

[Crow-ded house]

My chooks all respond to me. They come running and there are three hens that push everyone out of the way just chattering up a storm. Even the not so friendly ones respond. Except one rooster will only listen to hubby. The other boys and girls are my minions lol. We gave our neighbor a male and female guinea and when I visit they still come up so we make sure they get a treat.