How to train your chickens

Chooks are smarter than many people realise. You can train your flock with these practical techniques from Jessamy Miller that improve handling, behaviour and enjoyment.

My neighbour once asked me to mind her flock. I was astonished to discover she’d never trained her chooks to come when called. Believe me, when she returned from holidays, those hens were well drilled and obedient.

Tame, well-trained chooks are easier to manage and more enjoyable to spend time around. And chooks are quick learners; I’ve even taught mine to play music!

Taming new chooks

Chicks I’ve raised by hand are always more docile as they have bonded with me. Chooks bought as pullets (16–24 weeks old), however, can be nervous or panicky around people, making routine handling challenging. Consistent gentle management will put them at ease.

Chooks are much smaller than humans and easily frightened. I move calmly and quietly around them, avoiding sudden or jerky movements. Most importantly, I talk to them throughout in my ‘special animal voice’ – yes, my kids think it’s embarrassing, but animals love to be talked to.

New chooks quickly learn my voice and settle down. They become confident I’m a quiet, predictable and trustworthy friend – who brings food! I also follow a daily routine. When chooks can anticipate their free-range time or nightly lock-up, they will be ready waiting, saving you time.

A predictable, stress-free life makes for relaxed and happy hens.

Call training

Chickens can be taught to perform any natural behaviour on cue. This is done by linking the behaviour to a voice command and reinforcing it with an immediate food reward.

To teach chooks to come, use the same voice call each time and offer an incentive to respond – a treat they can either see or hear (if they are far away). For example, a bucket of grains you can either shake temptingly or display as you call out.

On larger properties, start close by and increase distance gradually. The chooks will quickly learn the call means food and come running, regardless of the hour. This means you can check on their whereabouts or lock them up early when there’s a predator.

I use the call “Chook, Chook, Chook” but you can choose whatever feels natural for you to call out across the garden.

Pick up Issue 167 of ABC Organic Gardener in stores now to read the rest of this story on training chooks, or subscribe at mymagazines.com.au to get every issue delivered straight to your door.