I cant help it...

[NellieBird]

I'd it possible to train a bantam to do things small birds/parrots would do? Just like come to me. Give affection. Perch on my finger and stuff like that? I have the cutest little Dutch bantam who is super friendly. And I wanna train her in some way.... any suggestions?

We hatch banties from eggs and they've become VERY tame. Happy to sit on shoulder (or head) or lap. They'll fly to shoulder (or head) on their own. We've also had banty hens that naturally became very friendly on they're own and became house visitors. Some birds poo jelly beans and some poo mush. The bean poopers get to come in because they're so easy to pick up after. I know some will say no chickens in the house, but we've never had any problem with it. We hand raised "Julia" a peachick who lived in the house. Followed us around like a puppy and loved to nap on my head. She'd come running if she saw me with the fly swatter. When it was time to reacquaint her with her parents outside she got out of the enclosure and got nailed by something. We found the feathers and we were CRUSHED. We'll try again next year. Banties seem WAY smarter than the average bird.

 

[Sea Wolf]

I had a turkey that was trained to fly up on your extended arm when she was little. Got scary as hell when she was full sized and did it. I have a chicken with a name that comes running when you call her. Problem is that all the other chickens have learned there are treats involved and they all come running too. That same chicken jumps high to get treats and a couple of the other birds have copy catted the trick. If you want a chicken to do something you have to use treats. They aren't that bright. Not like parrots which are highly intelligent. Chickens can see red and can be trained to peck at red spots on things. This is why they "appear" to play a tune on a keyboard. They are pecking at the red light on the key. The Google and look for chicken (or duck) trick training.

 

[Ladies-Eight]

I use mealworms as a treat for my chickens. The first ones I got from a bait and tackle shop. Then I saw an article on BYC how to raise mealworms. They are easy to raise and take very little care. You just have to feed them regularly. I feed them carrots. The article is titled "How To Raise Mealworms" by Gallo del Cielo from January 11, 2012 and updated on September 25, 2014. I ordered my mealworms from Exotic Nutrition Pet Supply Company. Look for a used 10 gallon aquarium. The internet address is [email protected], and their phone number is 1-757-988-0301. You will be able to find them at www.exoticnutrition.com. Hope this helps with the mealworms.

 

[Brigitt]

Yes, by all means. Look here
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/chicken-camp-dog-trainer/

 

[Sharonea1959]

Yes. I believe it is. I had one really mean rooster, to me, and I did manager to train the other roosters to chase him from me. I would call Roosters, and they would all come running and chase him out. I also had a hen that would come and sit on me, on command. She was a special girl and very friendly, but before I could show/teach her more, some one stole her, so I stopped working with them and making them very friendly, as they are too easy for a stranger to pick up. The others run from strangers, but Jamie Bond was very trusting and just sat there. She would also come on command. I used treats that she loved to teach her new stuff. Good look and with patience and treats you should have her doing tricks in no time.

 

[Gold Griffin Chicken Mom]

The mealworm care threads have been very helpful. One year I had the school children start a plastic shoebox of mealworms prior to hatching eggs. One boy had a pet bird at home and showed his classmates how to get the chicks to perch on a finger. Another year a boy taught “his” chick how to side-step up his arm to his shoulder.

Your imagination is the limit. The birds’ appetites are the only other real impediment.

 

[FathertoFeathers]

I haven't really trained a chicken but I have trained my ducks to go into the coop at night. All I have to do is say "come on babies lets go to bed!" and they just walk right in. I started to say this every time I went to put them up and eventually they learned that when I said his it was time to go to bed.