Do you train your chickens?

[PioneerChicks]

I gave a short answer, the long answer is that I trained mine to target sticks when they where younger. Ex. Follow the target stick = get treat. I tried shaping it into other tasks, such as "spin" but it did not go well.. they are chickens after all..

They also know to come when i yell "GIRLS!" and they definitely know the sound of the treat bag being opened

My goal is to train them to run into the coop on command for when I have to put them away early or i need them to retreat back to safe place b/c of predators

I heard of somebody doing this and did it a bit myself with a batch of chicks. They used the same stick/shovel every time and soon the chickens learned to run into the coop when they see that stick. It is a great idea!

 

[chickentrains]

I heard of somebody doing this and did it a bit myself with a batch of chicks. They used the same stick/shovel every time and soon the chickens learned to run into the coop when they see that stick. It is a great idea!

I need to go that, rn i just tell them "coop" over and over and toss treats in there

 

[PioneerChicks]

I trained mine to come when called. I had a couple hens I taught "shake" and a bit of "over" (jump over arm, but it was only a few inches of the ground). I plan to teach them to peck a certain target and fly to my arm, and maybe even some hoop jumping!

Love all the ideas here!

 

[chickentrains]

I trained mine to come when called. I had a couple hens I taught "shake" and a bit of "over" (jump over arm, but it was only a few inches of the ground). I plan to teach them to peck a certain target and fly to my arm, and maybe even some hoop jumping!

Love all the ideas here!

Oh yeah! forgot I taught them how to jump! Silly trick..

 

[PioneerChicks]

Oh, and I don't have a clicker. I use mostly actions to show them what to do, because they under stand better. For example, I said "shake" and would hold my hand out, but they responded better to me holding my hand out than to my voice. But they do recognize my voice and come when I call.

 

[mangotangolango]

Trained them to do what? Not sure if this counts but I trained them to come running when I shake the cracked corn container......

That counts

 

[Faraday40]

All of our chickens are trained to do basic things like come when called and go into coop when told (for treats). A few bantams were trained to fly up on our arm on command. These are just basic things to make our life easier. Sometimes we'll to put them to bed early or lock them up if a predator is nearby, so it beats chasing chickens around the yard.

Our son loves to sit in the chair with some treats and get covered with chickens. However, anyone who dares sit in this chair better not have a fear of birds!

I thought I'd share what our son did for a science project this year. I know he'd love to get some Youtube views and likes for his piano-playing hen.

He initially trained a couple different chickens but Styx was the best candidate. The 2 orps were slow to pick up on new things (and kept trying to just eat the food or peck at the clicker). The Leghorn was ok but would freeze up or get distracted easily. Our serama Popcorn was by far the smartest..... but she couldn't peck hard enough to work the keyboard.

So here's the Amazing Styx