Introduction
As chicken keeping becomes increasingly popular, more and more people are looking to train their feathered friends. Whether you want a pet that can do cool tricks or simply a well-behaved backyard flock, training your chickens is an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
In this guide, we will discuss the basics of chicken training, including why it’s beneficial, when to start training, and some basic commands to teach your chickens.
When to Start Training
The best time to start training your chickens is when they are still young. This allows them to become accustomed to human interaction and learn new behaviors more easily. Ideally, start training when the chicks are between 6-8 weeks old. However, it’s never too late to start training adult chickens. Just keep in mind that older chickens may take longer to learn new commands.
Basic Commands to Teach Your Chickens
Here are some simple but useful commands you can teach your chickens:
- Come: Use this command to call your chickens towards you for food or other activities. Teach this by making a distinct sound, such as clucking or whistling, every time you give them treats. Soon, they will associate that sound with food and come running whenever they hear it.
- Stay: This command is helpful for keeping your chickens in one place while you clean their coop or attend to other tasks. Train this by gently holding your chicken in place and saying “stay” before rewarding them with a treat. Gradually increase the duration of staying still before giving the reward.
- No pecking: Chickens can be pretty aggressive towards each other when it comes to food. To prevent fighting, use the command “no pecking” when you see one chicken trying to steal another’s food. Gently tap their beaks and say the command. Consistent reinforcement will teach them to respect each other’s space.
- Quiet: If you have roosters in your flock, they can sometimes get too noisy for your liking. Use the command “quiet” when they start crowing excessively. You can also use this command when your chickens are making a lot of noise while you’re trying to sleep or focus on something else.
- Go back: (you can use any word you want)This command is useful for guiding your chickens back into their coop at night or when it’s time to go inside due to bad weather. Train them by gently guiding them towards the coop with treats and saying “go back”. Soon, they will learn to go back on their own when you give the command.
- Be gentle: Chickens can be quite rough with each other, especially when it comes to pecking and scratching. If you notice one chicken being too aggressive towards another, use the command “be gentle” and gently separate them. This will teach your chickens to be more considerate and avoid causing harm to others.
- Perch: This command will train your chickens to perch on your arm or shoulder. Teach this by gently placing your arm near a chicken and saying “perch”. Once they are comfortable with perching on your arm, you can gradually move to your shoulder. This is great for bonding with your chickens and also makes it easier to handle them during health checks or grooming sessions.
- Step up/down: Teach your chickens to step onto and off of your hand or designated object with this command. Teach this by holding a treat in your hand or on the object and saying “step up”. Once they are comfortable with this, you can say “step down” when you want them to get off. This is especially useful for moving your chickens from one location to another without having to pick them up.
- Explore: Chickens are naturally curious creatures, so it’s important to give them opportunities for exploration and mental stimulation. Use the command “explore” while releasing your chickens into a safe outdoor area or introducing new objects into their environment. This will teach them that it’s okay to roam freely and discover new things.
- Up/Down: If you plan on taking your chickens for walks or having them ride in a car, these commands will come in handy. Use “up” to have them hop onto your shoulder or arm, and “down” to have them safely get off. This is a great way to bond with your chickens and take them on adventures.
- Treat: While not necessarily a command, teaching your chickens to come running when they hear the word “treat” can be very useful. Use this command when you want to reward your chickens for good behavior or simply give them a tasty snack. Just make sure not to overfeed them!
Advanced Training Techniques
In addition to these basic commands, there are many other fun and useful tricks that you can teach your chickens through positive reinforcement training. Some popular ones include:
- Shake: Teach your chicken to shake their feet. Teach this by holding a treat in your hand and tapping their foot until they lift it, then give them the treat. Repeat this until they learn to shake on command.
- Spin: Train your chicken to spin around in a circle. Hold a treat above their head and slowly move it in a circular motion until they follow it with their head and body. Use the command “spin” while doing this, and reward them with the treat after they complete the spin.
- Wave: This trick is sure to impress your friends! Hold a treat in front of your chicken’s face, just out of reach. As they reach for it, say “wave” and gently pull back their arm so that they wave at you. Reward them with the treat when they wave.
- Fly: While chickens are not known for their flying abilities, you can still teach them to fly short distances on command. Start by holding a treat in front of your chicken’s face and slowly raising it above their head. As they jump for the treat, say “fly” and reward them when they land back on the ground..
Remember to always use positive reinforcement techniques when training your chickens and never use punishment or force. With patience and consistency, your chickens will learn these tricks and more in no time! Who knows, you may even have the most talented flock on the block. Happy training! # Additional Chicken Training Tips
There are endless possibilities when it comes to training your chickens. Here are a few additional tips to help you get started:
- Keep training sessions short: Chickens have short attention spans, so don’t expect them to learn for long periods of time. Keep your training sessions brief (around 10 minutes) and repeat them daily for best results.
- Use a clicker: A clicker can be a helpful tool in chicken training as it helps to mark the exact moment a behavior is performed correctly. Simply click the clicker when your chicken does the desired behavior, then give them a treat.
- Train in a quiet environment: Chickens can get easily distracted, so it’s important to train them in a calm and quiet environment. This will help them focus on you and the training.
- Be patient: Training takes time and patience, especially with chickens who may not be as receptive as other animals. Don’t get frustrated if your chicken doesn’t catch on right away, just keep practicing and rewarding their progress.
With these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to teaching your chickens impressive tricks that will make them stand out from the flock. And don’t forget to have fun with it – chicken training can be a great bonding experience for you and your feathered friends.
Benefits of Training Your Chickens
Training your chickens not only provides mental stimulation for them, but it also has many practical benefits:
- Easier handling: Trained chickens are easier to handle and can be safely moved from one place to another.
- Bonding: Training creates a stronger bond between you and your chickens, making them more comfortable around you.
- Better behavior: By teaching your chickens proper behavior, such as not pecking or staying in a specific area, you can prevent potential problems and ensure a peaceful flock.not pecking or being quiet, you can create a more harmonious environment in your coop.
- Enrichment: Training provides mental stimulation for your chickens, keeping them entertained and happy.
- Showmanship: If you plan on entering your chickens into shows or competitions, training them will improve their performance and make them stand out.
Conclusion
Training your chickens may seem like a daunting task, but with patience and consistency, it can be a fun and rewarding experience for both you and your flock. By starting with the basic commands and gradually introducing more advanced techniques, you can create a well-behaved flock that is also mentally stimulated. So why not give it a try? Your chickens will thank you for it. Keep in mind that every chicken is unique and may learn at a different pace, so don’t get discouraged if things don’t go as planned. With time and practice, your chickens will become masterfully trained and you’ll have a stronger bond with them as well. Happy training!
For more:
Chicken Foraging and Free Ranging
Best Chicken Breeds for Egg Laying