How do you tame chickens?

[ErinYLiz]

My daughter is 9 and has every single one of our chickens tamed....she will pick one and carry it around with her for a few hours...finding them treats such as sunflowers...wild strawberries..crickets....then she takes them back and gets a different one...does the same thing with them...now when she goes into their pens...they flock around us..let us pet them..carry them around...and if they are let outside..they follow us around everywhere we go like a little curious flock. They always have to be right where we r.

Thank you for posting this. I'm going to try this with mine. We just added two new pullets to the hand-raised one we had left (had to give the two other hand-raised cockerels away, sadly). But, the two new ones are very skittish and fearful so I was wondering how to get them to warm up to us.

 

[emmyn74]

Thank you for posting this. I'm going to try this with mine. We just added two new pullets to the hand-raised one we had left (had to give the two other hand-raised cockerels away, sadly). But, the two new ones are very skittish and fearful so I was wondering how to get them to warm up to us.

You're welcome! Good luck...

 

[Polish Hen House]

I also have Polish chickens. They are sweethearts but they can be easily frightened. Taming a chicken takes some time, but it can be done. Start by just sitting with them, so they can get used to you being there. Also offer them treats and goodies. The more time you spend with them, the more tame they will become.

 

[m1marin]

Our GLW was really flighty. It took a few months to tame her but here's what I did. First, as others have posted, bring treats and feed them from your hands. Second, when you approach them try to do it slowly and always from head on - not from behind or above. Last, always make each interaction a positive experience for the hen and let them disengage whenever they want. Slowly but surely they'll learn to trust you then relax around you. Hope this helps.

 

[featherhead007]

I gave my hens a tiny toy piano, and would give treats if they pecked at the keys.

 

[Ms Clucky]

What color of shirt do you wear when you go up to them? My experience, they don't like red, yellow,really bright colors.

 

[featherhead007]

Early in the morning, before I feed them, I will read a couple of Bible verses to them. It may not be practical for the hens, but I get a lot out of it!