We all fuck catch our chicken ’ antics . If we could , we ’d pop some corn , rive up a chair and watch their entertaining escapades for hour on closing . Despite their droll shenanigan , your chooks are n’t addle-head . Their capacity to learn — and remember — behaviors is quite astonishing . Whether you want to train your pile to come when called or instruct them a sensational stunt , it takes only a piffling time and patience , plus a tasty treat as a reward . Not trusted what to teach your birds ? Here are a few theme on how to train volaille , all of which have been mastered ( in some cases , beyond my expectations ) by the member of my heap .
All of our henhouse have memory areas for lidded feed buckets ; this make refillingfeederseasy on me and my farm hands ( aka children ) . These bucket are a brilliant white and very promiscuous to see — a sound jump when you want to train chicken . Our curious chickens noticed them in good order away , quickly realizing that the white things in our hands were the same bloodless things that contain their feed . The quondam birds pass this important fact along to the raw tyke every year .
Back in February , our frier and cockerels just stared as our hen institutionalize toward me or , more incisively , my scratch pail . Three days by and by , I could n’t carry a bucketful anywhere without having a bird underfoot . I late conduct an experiment in which my Logos , Bryce , walk around the hencoop empty handed . Not one dame reacted . I then sent my son Jaeson out with one of the feed buckets . Likethe children of Hamelin , the birds immediately trooped after him .
To train chicken to realise dinner party prison term , habituate the same container – preferably one that is bright colored and at least gallon - sized — to refill their feeder . Be certain that they can clearly see what you ’re doing ; They ’ll catch on chop-chop . Just check that to utilize the container solely for provender . We ’ve lost a number of eggs to wondering pecking , thanks to the kids ’ employment of empty buckets for testicle collection .
2. Eat From Your Hand
I train every bird I hatch to recognize the bridge player that feeds it . I pop when thechicksare one week old , placing my bridge player in their brooder and leaving it there , medal up and still , for several instant . Once they ’ve grow habitual to my paw , I tally apparent motion : I frown my helping hand into the incubator , pause for a moment , then remove my deal . After a few days of this , I bid the babies dried mealworm bits on my medallion .
Occasionally , the chicks right away dive in and eat . Most of the time , they do n’t see I am offering intellectual nourishment and just scurry across my hand . When this befall , I place the crushed mealworms in a cumulus on the brooder trading floor , then crawfish out my script . I repeat this daily until the skirt sky-high gather around my hand , eager for their dainty . Once the child understand that my handwriting means intellectual nourishment , I diminish the frequency of my oblation .
The birds remember the association of hand - intellectual nourishment as they age , even if I offer treats only once every twain of weeks . It ’s a virginal pleasance for them to prey from my hand so trustfully . Note : Full - grown chickens feed more vigorously than baby chicks do , so keep your palm fully reach out rather than cupped to lessen the possibility of being tweet by a thirsty bird .
Ana Hotaling
3. Ride On A Bicycle
Chickens love to perch , and bicycle handlebars are a arrant size for this activity . When you train chickens to this this , you wo n’t be racing cyclocross with Henrietta as your Colorado - pilot light , but you’re able to serenely circle your yard with one of your doll blissfully balanced on your bike .
Pick one of your most acquiescent Gallus gallus . The feistier they are , the more likely they are to resist . bulge by setting your razzing on the handlebars of a static bike . confront her and reassure her , but do n’t force her to last out on if she wants to skip down . restate this daily until she get to trust the handlebar .
For stride two , carry your chicken to your bike , sit around on the saddle , then place your Bronx cheer in front of you on the handlebars . She wo n’t be able-bodied to see you , so let her hear you : expend a gentle , reassuring tone to let her live you are there . Again , if she skip off , do n’t force the outlet . Repeat this step day by day until you may both sit down on the bicycle for at least five minute .
Ana Hotaling
Add front next : utilize your feet , not your pedals , to slowly edge the bike ahead with your chook perched on her spot . Every day , slimly increase your length , then gently increase your speeding .
The final step ? Use the pedals to propel your bicycle forward a little at a fourth dimension . detain on level ground , ride slowly , and keep one eye on your hiss to watch for planetary house of distress . You wo n’t go far , but you ’ll have fun riding together .
4. Jump For A Treat
Why should dogs get all the glory when they jump for treat ? Chickens can alternate , too , particularly if you ’re extending a toothsome choice morsel for them to catch . pick out a snack your hoot roll in the hay ( such as bread ordried mealworm ) , pull in sure it ’s at least one inch long . This will keep your fingers from accidentally getting chomp by an eager schnozzle .
Extend your arm out from your body , holding your deal about 2 feet above your bird ’ heads . Make the treat visible , then stand dead still . If your flock stares at the food but does nothing , low your hand a few column inch and wait . thirstiness — or avaritia — will eventually incite one of your birds upwardly , so be fain to release the treat the second your bird opens its nozzle . Have more morsel quick to go and repeat the prank until your jumper has get over it .
A caution : Bear in mind that razzing are riotous learners . One calendar week after I taught Claude Orpington how to leap for a treat , six others were emulate his stunt . Poor Jaeson one twenty-four hours headed to our garden when Davey Orpington run over , jumped up and snatched the slice of pizza from his unsuspicious hand . Now , that ’s a trick I could have watched for hours .
Ana Hotaling
Ana Hotaling
