Can you train chickens?

[Nicos]

Our two new ones were huddled in the field at bedtime.
Managed to usher them into the coop and they clearly had no idea/balance to sit on their perches. We'll have them muscled up and trained within the week I'm sure!!

[petal]

If you let young growers out to roam without an adult bird for protection(our pekin cockerel is on this duty) be prepared to be with them constantly if you don't want to risk losing them to the local tom cat or a hawk. our latest group of growers- 8 weeks old run back into their pen with their 'foster' pekin mum and dad when I carry a carrier bag- they think there is a chance treats might emerge!

[Curlykale]

Thanks for all your replies

I think I'll wait a few more weeks before letting them out, as I do worry that the baby would be a bit vulnerable, although I can't believe how much she has grown in a week! I've got loads more daft questions about chickens so I'll go and start a new thread or two

[Hilary B]

Before first letting out, get them used to a feeding (or treats) time, and that first outside should be shortly before the time at which they are used to getting their feed or treats. Gradually extend the gap between 'going out' and 'eating inside the run', and definitely get them used to a signal that means "food in the run now". Once you do that, no problem at all!
You don't need to let them out every day when you start, so let them out for a half-hour that you can be with them, and never unwatched until the little one is about 14-16 weeks.
Chickens CAN be trained to do tricks too, but probably not if they are part of a flock; I think it would have to be a solitary hen that relied on human company, and if you can't provide human company all the time, that would not be kind.

[BUFFS]

as has been said,a tin can with some corn in works wonders,i used to lead my birds round to the front garden ,to clear the area of slugs etc and in the evening just stood by the back gate and rattled the tin,usain bolt eat your heart out,the speed they got to,trying to be first and hand fed was amazing,then just led them into the coop area,with a scattering of corn as reward,sadly i am not mobile enough now but keeping chooks was great,always a smile after watching them perform their daft antics...enjoy them..

[angelat]

mine can run a hundred miles an hour when they hear my back door open!!! but just calling them or tapping the side of their metal feed scoop has them coming to me also. as soon as they see a speck of food they will come back to you, dont worry! enjoy!

[Pecora Nera]

Hi we have 6 white hens and 6 brown hens, they learnt very quickly to go into their hutch at around 7 ish so that I could lock them in. The only time I have had a problem was in January when the snow was over 2 foot deep.

One of the hens had scurried across the top of the snow and flew into the lower branch of a tree. I had to wade through the snow to rescue it.