Training "stubborn" hens

[LoveClockwise]

Treats plus some sort of signal, whether voice command or something like a rattling treat jar. Sound the command (mine is simply "chick chick chick!") and toss a few treats. Repeat a couple times a day and they should learn to come.

yes!

 

[littlecoopnextdoor]

Do a specific call and give them a treat. My girls come running/flying from wherever they are when I say, “ladiessssss” and want some “wormies!” and they get a mealworm or two

 

[Raubkatze]

Do a specific call and give them a treat. My girls come running/flying from wherever they are when I say, “ladiessssss” and want some “wormies!” and they get a mealworm or two

Mine have started coming when I yell "ladies!" too. In the morning when I come to the run (door opens at 6am, but this girl needs her coffee before I go outside) and say "good morning ladies!" They all come up to me as well.

Unfortunately they are on house arrest due to being naughty girls and making a mess of the neighbor's deck.

 

[thequietman]

I don't know if I am just lucky, or if my plan worked.

When we got chicks (Buff Orpingtons and Rhode Island Reds), they started in a brooder in the garage. I built a coop and run, which is the first place they went after leaving the garage. I built the coop/run with some outdoor smart plugs (Tapo), which control lights in the run and a string of small "twinkle" lights in the coop. The chickens are free range in our yard generally from dawn to dusk. At a set time before sunset, the run and coop lights come on. The chickens always make their way into the lighted run. At sunset, the run lights go off with the coop lights still on. At this point, they all move inside the coop. I usually come out after sunset and close the run door (they are always in the coop at this point). I have another smart plug that controls a linear actuator that closes the chickens coop door at 25 min after sunset. In the morning the linear actuator opens the coop door 15 minutes after sunrise. All I have to do is open the run door in the morning and close it at night. The girls put themselves to bed.

For what it's worth, I also have a clicking notice I make when I give the treats. They come running when I make it (they usually come to me anyway when I am outside though).

 

[The Good Grumble]

My #1 reason to sell a pullet or hen is inability to get in the line-up! I have sold birds that cannot seem to figure out how to turn the corner and go to the gate area.

I bought 3 EE chicks on a whim last year to add to the flock. No braincells whatsoever. They would run right past the WIDE OPEN run door freaking because there is food and they’re missing out while the other girls are happily eating. They’re better this year. But can still have their oblivious moments.

 

[Raubkatze]

I bought 3 EE chicks on a whim last year to add to the flock. No braincells whatsoever. They would run right past the WIDE OPEN run door freaking because there is food and they’re missing out while the other girls are happily eating. They’re better this year. But can still have their oblivious moments.

I was thinking about getting some Ameraucanas in the future, but I think they are used to make EEs...and I don't think I can deal with any more that seem to never get their turn with the brain cell.

 

[alwaystj9]

I bought 3 EE chicks on a whim last year to add to the flock. No braincells whatsoever. They would run right past the WIDE OPEN run door freaking because there is food and they’re missing out while the other girls are happily eating. They’re better this year. But can still have their oblivious moments.

I have a 4 month old EE pullet that will be on the first sale post this fall because everyday I have to make her go out (she hides) and then I have to go out and bring her in. She'll run up and down along a 3' section of fence trying to get to the feeder and can't understand that one more foot and she's through the gate and in the pen. She needs to live in an enclosed run somewhere else.

 

[The Good Grumble]

I was thinking about getting some Ameraucanas in the future, but I think they are used to make EEs...and I don't think I can deal with any more that seem to never get their turn with the brain cell.

You’re being generous if you think they take turns……likely one of the brain cell holders lost it when it was their turn.

 

[Raubkatze]

I have a 4 month old EE pullet that will be on the first sale post this fall because everyday I have to make her go out (she hides) and then I have to go out and bring her in. She'll run up and down along a 3' section of fence trying to get to the feeder and can't understand that one more foot and she's through the gate and in the pen. She needs to live in an enclosed run somewhere else.

That has been about my experience too. They can clearly see their sisters in the run, they came out the door in the morning, and yet they run around the outside panicked because they can't find the door to get back in.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I bought 3 EE chicks on a whim last year to add to the flock. No braincells whatsoever. They would run right past the WIDE OPEN run door freaking because there is food and they’re missing out while the other girls are happily eating. They’re better this year. But can still have their oblivious moments.

My mini-flock of three (different breeds) all went through the panic of seeing their sisters on the other side of the fence, but they finally figured it out.

Meanwhile, the EE is invaluable when out in the yard, always alerting first to potential threats. Granted, these threats sometimes include commercial aircraft, but she’s earning her keep while the Orp and Barred Rock are seeing if the mulch tastes any better than it did yesterday.