How do you feel about chicken harnesses? Does anyone have harness trained chickens?

[Cinnamon11]

I was wondering how people feel about harnesses training chickens? I have a white leghorn hen who enjoys going to the beach and doesn’t mind the harness and I’m currently trying to train my new silkie hen to wear one. After the silkie I’m planning on trying it on some of my other hens and continuing to put it on the one who best reacts.

 

[FanofRhodeislandreds]

I personally think its a great idea. I am trying to harness train my Auracauna. Her name is Pecaun. I'm having a bit of trouble training her because after a few feet she will just sit down (she might be lazy) any advice?

 

[Cinnamon11]

I bribe my chickens with scratch lol. Once I put it on I try to make having it on a great experience! They get scratch and get to go out to the grass. I kind of follow behind her to keep her moving and occasionally when she stops wiggle the leash a little. Glad you think it’s a great idea! Good luck with your chicken!

 

[centrarchid]

Training the chicken to effectively heel would be important to me so it is close enough to rapidly retrieve when walking where you might encounter a dog. I have been able to get some of my birds to heal without use of a harness / leash and to the point where they will fly up into hand when called. The problem is not fast enough if a dog is rushing in. The leash and harness might work for that in a pinch.

 

[Cinnamon11]

Training the chicken to effectively heel would be important to me so it is close enough to rapidly retrieve when walking where you might encounter a dog. I have been able to get some of my birds to heal without use of a harness / leash and to the point where they will fly up into hand when called. The problem is not fast enough if a dog is rushing in. The leash and harness might work for that in a pinch.

Yeah that’s the only thing I really worry about. I train my chickens to just walk in front of me and if I need to grab them I have the leash.

 

[FanofRhodeislandreds]

She never really took to it just wouldn't eat or sit to eat. Everything in our greenhouse died so shes just living in there until she gets used to me and the other hens.Thanks for the advice didn't work with this hen but i have a strange looking hatchery Americauna (@EmmaRainboe please spell check she should be an actual Americauna) chick imma try it on when its old enough.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I would if I lived somewhere other than the middle of nowhere

 

[FanofRhodeislandreds]

I do too really but i can still walk her around the yard.