I was so flattered when a lost chicken responded to my voice. My son had quarantined a small young golden sebright pullet with an eye problem and she escaped out of her pen (went to the vet today - she has fowl pox on eyelid - try treating with eye ointment). He was heart broken and spent the day looking for her. We didn't have much hope with the lawn being mowed that day and the dog and 3 cats running around, but near evening I called out to her, "Here little chickie, chickie !" And she actually replied by making soft chicken noises. I was very excited and I kept calling out to her until we located her, safe and sound in a banana tree cluster with tall grass and weeds. The next morning she was missing again. Probably not a good idea to put her back in the pen she escaped from. This time I called out and called out, no answer. After morning chores were done, I called out one more time. And she answered again with soft little chicken noises. She was on the back pool patio behind the grill. So we moved her inside to one of the chickie rearing bins (plastic bin with hay). She must be feeling better since she flew out of the bin onto the chair ! We now have a piece of plastic eggcrate over the top to keep her in.
I was thinking about how she knows my voice ? I only go out once a day to give them grass as a treat and they make those happy chicken noises in response.
Then I remembered, they must know me from when I used to talk to them as little chickies. We kept them in the house for a couple of weeks and I did raise them for the first couple of months.
I would tell them how cute they are and talk to them about what they are doing. I guess I just talk to them whenever I'm near them. Ask them how they're doing, or what they're doing, etc.
Both my husband and sons were surprised that she answers me when I call out to her. So, if you don't mind people calling you crazy, do spend the time to talk to your chickens. I think getting them to learn to recognize your voice will be beneficial when your chicken is lost. That way, when you call for them, they will respond if you take the time to listen for their reply. It helped us out twice to save a show quality pullet (the only one so far with very good traits).
I was thinking about how she knows my voice ? I only go out once a day to give them grass as a treat and they make those happy chicken noises in response.
Then I remembered, they must know me from when I used to talk to them as little chickies. We kept them in the house for a couple of weeks and I did raise them for the first couple of months.
I would tell them how cute they are and talk to them about what they are doing. I guess I just talk to them whenever I'm near them. Ask them how they're doing, or what they're doing, etc.
Both my husband and sons were surprised that she answers me when I call out to her. So, if you don't mind people calling you crazy, do spend the time to talk to your chickens. I think getting them to learn to recognize your voice will be beneficial when your chicken is lost. That way, when you call for them, they will respond if you take the time to listen for their reply. It helped us out twice to save a show quality pullet (the only one so far with very good traits).
