How can I train my chicken?

[PippinTheChicken]

I have a tame chicken that I'd like to train to do different things.
She is around 8wks old.
I'm currently trying to get her used to wearing a harness. I put a harness on Kiwi, when she walked, she looked like she was drunk!

after a while of drunk-walking, she would slowly collapse to one side.
Considering it was her first time, she did quite well and managed to run around for a bit. It will take some getting used to.

I've seen some videos of chickens jumping through hoops, completing obstacle courses and playing fetch.
Is there a way to it each her how to do this? Any special treats or gadgets? Has anyone else trained their chickens?

@fatty and friends I know you have very tame ducks so maybe you can help me?

 

[HappyClucker7]

I would start with target training, which is basically just getting your chicken to touch the end of a stick. This is the most basic form of training, and you can use it to teach her other tricks, like going through hoops.

 

[PippinTheChicken]

How do I target train her? What is the best thing to target train her with?

 

[clickchicks]

Look up target training videos on YouTube- there are lots of dog ones, but the same general principles as far as how to teach them apply for most animals. You can start with clicker training for added depth, but it’s not necessary for something basic like target training. Here’s a video that actually shows it being done with a chicken:

 

[clickchicks]

I’ve been practicing something similar with one of my chickens. I decided to go the clicker route just in case I might like to build on things later. Essentially I’m trying to teach one of them that me tapping my finger on something means to come and have a look. Pretty natural behavior for a chicken anyway, since they are very curious, so it’s been fairly easy to shape!

 

[fatty and friends]

harness training - just put the harness on her and let her walk around the yard, after she is 100% used to that clip the leash on and go follow her where ever she goes, then after she is used to that you can take her places with it

name - call her name and give her a treat when she comes and she will learn to come when you call her over

any other trick is basically the same as with a dog, i use treats to train mine but some people also do clicker training and that works too

 

[PippinTheChicken]

Thanks.
I think she kinda knows her name. When I say "KIWI" then she stops what she is doing and stares at me. I'm gonna try teach her to come

 

[PippinTheChicken]

got my "starter kit"

 

[PippinTheChicken]

I have started clicker training.
I am so proud of her. I am currently teaching her to jump up a high bench. The stool is getting lower and further away from the bench.
She is doing so well, the clever girl!!!

 

[KKicons]

I have a tame chicken that I'd like to train to do different things.
She is around 8wks old.
I'm currently trying to get her used to wearing a harness. I put a harness on Kiwi, when she walked, she looked like she was drunk!

after a while of drunk-walking, she would slowly collapse to one side.
Considering it was her first time, she did quite well and managed to run around for a bit. It will take some getting used to.

I've seen some videos of chickens jumping through hoops, completing obstacle courses and playing fetch.
Is there a way to it each her how to do this? Any special treats or gadgets? Has anyone else trained their chickens?

@fatty and friends I know you have very tame ducks so maybe you can help me?

My daughter and I had some alert, active chickens that seemed to be bored and needed enrichment. So you have to choose the right one. For cats, bunnies, and goats, for instance, its the hyper, kind of annoying ones. Couch potatoes might be a better choice for costumes and photos, for ex. The one I was going to pick for a real harness and cart was taught over about a year to follow me on walks. That was a beautiful speckled java roo. But he got killed in an accident. Clicker and treat is a great help for any action you want to shape and modify.