My chickens have figured out that my voice

[Momagain1]

means yummies I guess...

I just walk out there saying Chickens, chickens...in my normal voice...

they used to FREAK and run away....(they are still in their large brooder; 5 wks)...

now they hear me and when i say chickens, chickens, they get all loud n excited and most run towards the side of the brooder
and are extending their neck wayyyy high to see who gets what the first...

now...however you give them a treat and they are almost mean...I am kinda scared to handfeed them a treat like some of you all do
on here...because they are almost WAY TOO EXCITED and they may end up hurting us by pecking us hard...

should we not handfeed anything?

 

[gryeyes]

I hand feed treats to my adult chickens and sometimes they peck out of excitement, but it's not really that hard. But I have trained them not to peck at me, by pecking them right back. I use my forefinger and middle finger together and thunk 'em on the side or back of the head, or on the neck. I am, after all, the Boss of the flock. They learn.

I started this when they were chicks in the brooder. Also, I put down a bit of fresh feed in their feeder, first, and let them do the Food! Food! Food! frenzy with it. After a few minutes, I will hand feed them some treats.

Hope this helps!

 

[ThinkingChickens]

Yep, mine think that my voice equals treats so I'm slowly teaching them not to peck at me. They love my toes for some reason.

 

[Bi0s]

my adult flock when i call them and they hear my voice they coming running looking for there scraps

 

[AKsmama]

I don't even have to call mine, all I have to do is go outside and say a few words (whether I have anything for them or not) and they all come running. I guess I am That Treat Lady to them! Same thing happens with my 8 year old- they hear her and come on the double. My husband tries to call them and they don't come, even when he actually does have something for them, lol!

 

[pat1297]

I just go out the door and they come running. I do not even say a word. They are such beggars, always seem to be ready to eat.

 

[flying_babyb]

Mine peck hard! i have a little dent in my finger from one of my little peckers. I was hand feeding them stale day old bun and they were nuts! They stand on the coop door now if I open it and dont feed them fast enough. I got one that flys at me!

 

[stcath95]

My girls go happy happy when they hear! me coming into the area...each one backs up and has to be stoked severl times..I think they think I am the hen !!...they sure do like the treats I bring also !!..16 hens ..10-16 eggs a day....Easter girls raised from day old chicks.....I thinks my egg cost are down to about $10-15 per egg at this point...I don't care !!