Can you train chickens?

[Curlykale]

I've had my chickens for 6 days now and am totally besotted! The housework, lottie and family have all been neglected as I just watch them for hours! They have been confined to their run (which gives them plenty of room) so far, and I have been sitting in with them for a few minutes (or more!) every day to get them used to me in the hope that they will grow up to be friendly and tame (they are presently 7 weeks and 11 weeks old). They eat out of my hand and come running over whenever I go out to them and they chatter away. I am planning on letting them free-range in the garden when we are at home, but I am very nervous about letting them out for the first time in case I can't get them back in the run.

What I am wondering is, can they be trained to come when 'summoned' by a familiar sound? I thought that if I make a noise with a bell or a whistle whenever I feed them or give them a treat, they may learn to come running whenever they hear it. Does that sound like a totally potty idea? I know that they will (hopefully) put themselves to bed when it starts to get dark, but I'm thinking of the times that I may be home for most of the day but have to go out late in the afternoon, and would need to get them back in their run before I go out. How does everyone else get their chickens back in the run during the day?

Also, should I wait until they are a bit older before letting them out? The younger one is still very small. I can't believe how responsible and over-protective I already feel about them - I lie awake at night worrying about whether I'm doing everything right!

[veggiechicken]

I used to put some corn in a small plastic box and shake it. They'd come running for that! Then I'd give them the corn, of course!

[VirginVegGrower]

Oh you have hennyitis - it's a well known chook keeper affliction. Congratulations!
I concur with the rattle of corn in a tub

[CaroltheCarrot]

can you train chickens

Course you can,mine can skateboard, rollerblade and everything!
Sorry, still raining ,still bored just about to start another thread on chooks

[MyLifeWithAndrew]

When I am home, I take turns between three chicken houses (ended up with two males).
Chickens go out, dusk comes, they are all snoring inside, I close the doors and lock up.
Unless you are keeping an eye on them, I would wait at few weeks, as I have had a few new ones forget where their house was upon first arriving - the odd chicken would be waiting to be let back into their coop in the morning.
Oh...and a fish net is handy when you need to dust them or put them up unexpectedly.

[RedThorn]

Corn rattle in a tin worked for me too....

[Snadger]

Childish baby talk works (Cmon,cmon cmon,............howay,howay hoiway) with the corn tin rattle of coirse. Throw some in the run once you've got their attension and they'll come running.

Corn tin rattle alone would probably work, but who doesn't talk to their chooks?

[chris]

Mine were really friendly when I got them, I clipped their wings, they didn't even move - then as I was digging by their run at the time I let them out and they stayed around my feet.

Once they know where their coop is, they'll go back in to roost at night, unless of course they take a fancy to a tree or something

[polo]

Corn in a tin deffo and as Snadger says shout as well and before long they will come to your voice only.

If youre nervous letting them out first time let them out later in the day and they shouldnt go far, the will want to be inside to roost as Chris says.

You sound totally addicted - you will fit in well round here..

[RedThorn]

fit in well? Thought reason we all got on was we was all misfits!

[Newtothis]

Yep definately corn in a tin - or yogurt tub in my case, also I wear a flourecent orange hat - my 'chicken hat' and they come running when they see that too.....

[Newtothis]

Most of my friends run the other way....

[Nicos]

Interestingly I call 'Cous cous' for the geese and 'Girlie gals' for the chooks.
They all respond to both but are more aware of their spaecific caal!

[Hans Mum]

Corn rattle in a tin worked for me too....

thats what I do too.... you do realise chickens train you not the other way round

[BarleySugar]

Mine are getting to know the sound of the garage door opening (which is where their corn is kept) means corn is coming. I always go in to get a handful before putting them away. Today I walked down and opened the garage door, the hens followed so closely they almost made it in at the same time as me. Threw the corn in their run, all six away in a couple of minutes
Calypso still roosts on the top of the coop at night, but now when I go into the run she walks along towards me, I pick her up and in she goes.