Do you “punish” (not abuse) your chickens?

[Tired old Rooster]

Beyond them learning a few words, only found in the dictionaries of old army NCO's, the answer would be no.

 

[awkwardkale]

Hello!

If my birds are “acting up”, like maybe they bite me or are just getting into trouble, I talk to them and say they’re being naughty or I’ll be like hey! Stop that! More of just in a silly way, not me being serious. But I don’t punish them. Other than maybe tapping their bills or gently moving them out of the way if someone is hogging treats. I can’t stop them from eating the treats, but I’ll try to make room for the other ducks if one of them is being greedy haha. I did that with my chickens as well.

But I think the reality is that they are just doing what they were made to do: forage, dustbathe, eat, other bird stuff. The only measures I take are just having a fenced in area for them or blocking them from things I don’t want them to get into. That way my ducks can’t wander off or stomp on the garden beds. As far as your chicken running off goes, I think that training her to respond to some kind of cue is a great idea! I used to sing to mine whenever it was time to go back to the run. Some chickens are just explorers, I think.

I had two chickens that loved to fly into my neighbors yard every now and then. They were just naughty and every once in a while we had to knock on the neighbors door to get them back there wasn’t really a way we could train them/teach them to not do it, other than just moving things away from the fence to make it harder to run off. One time the whole flock took a neighborhood trip because someone didn’t lock the fence (everyone came back safe and sound! we noticed immediately). But I think chickens are just very curious.

Is this chicken laying yet? When I had chickens, the hens would all squat if I stood over them and I could pick them up that way? That’s honestly what I relied on, other than food, when I had a runaway.

maybe having some kind of temporary fencing for the birds would help with that? Something you could move around so that they’re still free ranging, but you also don’t have to play hide and seek with that bird

The only “punishment” I can really think of ever doing would be separating a chicken that was being bullied from the flock? I don’t know if that counts, but the only time I have really separated chickens is to keep others from pecking at an injury or to quarantine them. Or maybe separating an aggressive chicken from the others? I’ve never had to do that, but I don’t really see that as a punishment since in those cases you’re just taking measures to keep everyone safe/healthy. I don’t think a chicken can be taught to not do something.

 

[Sussex19]

No, I don't 'punish" them, although I will peck back at a cockerel if they are being teenish.
I will also chase them if they are being really bad, but not to punish them, just to reinforce the pecking order.
Shutting them up can in some cases can re-train them to stay near the coop, but most of the time it doesn't help, and if I did would shut them all up.
Not because they will understand why they are shut up, but because they learn again that all their needs are met in the coop or run.

 

[ladyhand]

Hello!

If my birds are “acting up”, like maybe they bite me or are just getting into trouble, I talk to them and say they’re being naughty or I’ll be like hey! Stop that! More of just in a silly way, not me being serious. But I don’t punish them. Other than maybe tapping their bills or gently moving them out of the way if someone is hogging treats. I can’t stop them from eating the treats, but I’ll try to make room for the other ducks if one of them is being greedy haha. I did that with my chickens as well.

But I think the reality is that they are just doing what they were made to do: forage, dustbathe, eat, other bird stuff. The only measures I take are just having a fenced in area for them or blocking them from things I don’t want them to get into. That way my ducks can’t wander off or stomp on the garden beds. As far as your chicken running off goes, I think that training her to respond to some kind of cue is a great idea! I used to sing to mine whenever it was time to go back to the run. Some chickens are just explorers, I think.

I had two chickens that loved to fly into my neighbors yard every now and then. They were just naughty and every once in a while we had to knock on the neighbors door to get them back there wasn’t really a way we could train them/teach them to not do it, other than just moving things away from the fence to make it harder to run off. One time the whole flock took a neighborhood trip because someone didn’t lock the fence (everyone came back safe and sound! we noticed immediately). But I think chickens are just very curious.

Is this chicken laying yet? When I had chickens, the hens would all squat if I stood over them and I could pick them up that way? That’s honestly what I relied on, other than food, when I had a runaway.

maybe having some kind of temporary fencing for the birds would help with that? Something you could move around so that they’re still free ranging, but you also don’t have to play hide and seek with that bird

The only “punishment” I can really think of ever doing would be separating a chicken that was being bullied from the flock? I don’t know if that counts, but the only time I have really separated chickens is to keep others from pecking at an injury or to quarantine them. Or maybe separating an aggressive chicken from the others? I’ve never had to do that, but I don’t really see that as a punishment since in those cases you’re just taking measures to keep everyone safe/healthy. I don’t think a chicken can be taught to not do something.

They are almost 2 yo, and they’ll still squat if I’m in close proximity and they don’t see a fast way out. They’ve got a decent sized run (it’s 16x8 for 4 of them) and they spend all day in it (with access to their coop and a programmed door with timer). I throw feed on the ground, as well as keep their feeder full, to encourage the foraging ( without the added fats and calories from scratch). I also take freshly pulled chickweed and stuff it between the outer rings of an old fire pit I put in there. I live in a suburban neighborhood with long, skinny lots. We have 1.2 acres, half of which is wooded. I typically let them out, while sitting close by so I can keep an eye on them, for 30 minutes to an hour every day (I’ve even gone out and sat in cool rainy weather because I felt bad they hadn’t been out in two days because of said weather). Wednesday she got spooked and ran deep into the brush and I couldn’t find her despite going in after her for over 30 minutes — it took another hour and a half to coax her out of the woods. The only reason she went in was because the other hens started loudly settling in the coop for the night and she joined.

She has been more difficult than normal in the last month, but nothing like the other night.

I feel awful for keeping her in tonight after reading everyone’s responses, but I also don’t want to lose her in the woods again.

 

[bobbi-j]

I’m sorry - my response was not intended to make you feel bad. I think when corrective action needs to be taken, it should be done immediately so they can associate it with whatever behavior you’re trying to change. Like “pecking” back with your finger immediately after they peck you. I also think they respond better to positive reinforcement - like getting treats when you shake the treat can (or call them and give them a treat when they come.)

 

[Dough Hill]

I really never had any of my chickens Peck me I never got that personal with them that they would gather around me or eat out of my hand in the 25+ years I’ve raised chickens I just didn’t want the aggravation of them around me if I was working in there side of the Little Barn most of the time when I open the door they go out side in the pen unless it’s cold then they will move away from me I like it that way. Although last year I’ve had one of my Sapphire Gems she’s 3 years old now come up to me and just started staring at me so I got some hen scratch with my hand and offered it to her she started eating out of my hand. I nicknamed her “Sweety” because of her demeanor now every day I have to give her a treat I don’t mind guess I’m getting softer in my old age.

 

[awkwardkale]

They are almost 2 yo, and they’ll still squat if I’m in close proximity and they don’t see a fast way out. They’ve got a decent sized run (it’s 16x8 for 4 of them) and they spend all day in it (with access to their coop and a programmed door with timer). I throw feed on the ground, as well as keep their feeder full, to encourage the foraging ( without the added fats and calories from scratch). I also take freshly pulled chickweed and stuff it between the outer rings of an old fire pit I put in there. I live in a suburban neighborhood with long, skinny lots. We have 1.2 acres, half of which is wooded. I typically let them out, while sitting close by so I can keep an eye on them, for 30 minutes to an hour every day (I’ve even gone out and sat in cool rainy weather because I felt bad they hadn’t been out in two days because of said weather). Wednesday she got spooked and ran deep into the brush and I couldn’t find her despite going in after her for over 30 minutes — it took another hour and a half to coax her out of the woods. The only reason she went in was because the other hens started loudly settling in the coop for the night and she joined.

She has been more difficult than normal in the last month, but nothing like the other night.

I feel awful for keeping her in tonight after reading everyone’s responses, but I also don’t want to lose her in the woods again.

I’m sorry that you lost her for a while! I know I would be worried sick. I’m also sorry that my response made you feel awful, that was not my intent at all. I can tell that you care deeply for your birds.
I’m sorry she’s been difficult as well. That doesn’t sound like fun, trying to find a chicken in the bushes for 30+ min. I’m glad she came back!

I’m not quite sure what to say. I think that what other people mentioned about trying verbal cues or positive reinforcement with treats are good ideas. I’m sorry you’re dealing with a rebellious hen!

 

[Sussex19]

I feel awful for keeping her in tonight after reading everyone’s responses, but I also don’t want to lose her in the woods again.

Don't feel bad!
I might keep her in too, if its the only way to keep her safe.
Doing what is needed is what any good chicken keeper does; just don't expect her to understand why she is shut in. (thus its not a punishment)
I think keeping them all in for now may be the way to go, and try to teach them to come to you by repeatedly calling them, and then giving them treats.
(don't overdo the treats to much though, just the usual feed wetted into a mash is very popular)

 

[Mr Spot]

Why would anyone in their right mind try to punish a chicken just for being a chicken ????
If you don't want them wandering around pecking in the grass and enjoying themselves keep them in the run.

 

[ladyhand]

Why would anyone in their right mind try to punish a chicken just for being a chicken ????

I used punish for lack of a better word, but I could also argue why would you punish a kid for being a kid? I understand that chickens don’t have the same mental acuity as children, but I’m trying to figure out how to prevent her from running into the woods and putting herself in danger.