How do I Tame Pet Chickens to be more Friendly?

[Debi214]

My girls love all kinds of snacks and I started putting them in a container that they would recognize. Now if they see the container or me squatting they are like "OMG - what do you have for me????"

PS - I use the blue Maxwell House coffee container but they run when they see me holding anything now.......good luck!

 

[cmom]

I agree with the other posts. TREATS!!! The best way to a chicken's heart is through its stomach.

 

[Lila_Brambleburr]

I have to echo everyone else...treats, treats, treats. I have a distinctive call that I make when I head outside with treats. And I always bring them treats, even if it is just a bit of bread. When they hear the call, they come. The chickens who have been with me longest know the call, and come running everytime they see me. The newer ones are beginning to catch on. I am rarely without bread in my pocket.

I also have a milk carton in the pen that I sit on, and I go into the pen with my morning coffee and at other times of the day just to sit and watch them. They've gotten used to me, and the older ones treat me as one of the family. They'll even stand on my feet, or if I am on the grass, they'll walk over my lap. They are free-range, and so they even come up on the porch and to the door, and this morning, one of the hens literally knocked on the door with her beak! The other day, a hen walked on the dog, who was lying by my feet, to get to a piece of bread. 3 times! I think the key is to be calm yourself, and not too eager. It takes time, and in the meantime, just enjoy watching them interact with each other.

 

[Sissy]

I use canned corn as their treat
and they run to me .
But I have to really hang on to my buff Orp. thats
only 2 n half mos.old he is a runner..

 

[DDRanch]

Agree with the treats and I would stop trying to catch them. I have found that my birds love to be picked up but not caught. They do not like to be chased. Instead, sit on the ground or in the pen, talk to them, feed them from your hands but don't grab at them. And remember to be very patient. And move slowly. It's amazing what will frighten a chicken. Sounds like they may need to build up their trust with you again.

I have trained mine, through repetition and food treats to come when they are called and to return to their pen without "catching" them. You want them to follow you around their yard and back into their pen....when you want. This is not difficult to do but does require patience. I use to put a chair in the pen, read a book, and let them get used to me. They will become more friendly to you and you will at some point be able to pick them up easily, and they won't run away. In fact, they will probably jockey for position to see who gets picked up first.

Hope this helps. I also don't let anyone else pick up my birds. If a guest wants to hold one, I do the picking up and will then show them how to hold and how to set the hen back down again.

Anne

 

[DDRanch]

I thought of something else that might help. When my hens venture in an adjoining pasture that I don't want them in, and they are having a fine time with new bugs and won't listen......I use 2 long (4') and light weight tree branches, more like sturdy twigs, one held in each hand and herd them back to their area. You don't touch them with the twigs, but guide them as you walk behind them. They see the long twigs as a fence and will walk beside and in front. It's easier to do than running after them and if you walk slowly they will go exactly where you want them to go. You don't have to touch them or frighten them......just herd them. This might help some getting them back into their run.


Anne

 

[lelisabeth]

Quote:
Oh, this is an immense help! I was suspicious that this might be a problem. I know better than to chase any animal, I used to work at an animal shelter, but mainly with cats, dogs and rabbits. I guess it is just my first instinct to chase them when I can't get them back into the run. I'll use patience from now on, I can only imagine what it is like to have a giant chasing you! (i know, i know, it's incomparable)

I just need to spend more time with them letting them be themselves. Funny, I would have never considered chasing a scared puppy, I would have sat on the floor and let him come to me (exactly what I did with my two rescued pansies). Just not used to dealing with chickens! And I'm excited about the concept of putting a chair in their pen, I like to sit and watch them anyway, it will be good to have them close to me.

Thank you so much everyone for your advice, this is really helpful! I hope its helpful to other newbies too.

Just saw your new post:
Quote:
That's actually what my husband has been trying. He found a stick and he guides them back in with it. Much easier than me running around with my head cut off...

 

[DDRanch]

Quote:
Oh, this is an immense help! I was suspicious that this might be a problem. I know better than to chase any animal, I used to work at an animal shelter, but mainly with cats, dogs and rabbits. I guess it is just my first instinct to chase them when I can't get them back into the run. I'll use patience from now on, I can only imagine what it is like to have a giant chasing you! (i know, i know, it's incomparable)

I just need to spend more time with them letting them be themselves. Funny, I would have never considered chasing a scared puppy, I would have sat on the floor and let him come to me (exactly what I did with my two rescued pansies). Just not used to dealing with chickens! And I'm excited about the concept of putting a chair in their pen, I like to sit and watch them anyway, it will be good to have them close to me.

Thank you so much everyone for your advice, this is really helpful! I hope its helpful to other newbies too.

Just saw your new post:
Quote:
That's actually what my husband has been trying. He found a stick and he guides them back in with it. Much easier than me running around with my head cut off...

So happy to be of help and be able to pass along what has worked for me. That's what I love about this site.....Let us know which hen jumps up on your lap first and takes a snooze when you are sitting with them. It will happen.
Anne