Fun and Easy Tricks to Train Your Chickens!

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Training Chickens: Why It's Important
3. Jumping Through Hoops
   1. Introduction to Hoop Training
   2. Step-by-step Guide to Hoop Training
   3. Tips and Tricks for Successful Hoop Training
4. Running Through Tubes
   1. Introduction to Tube Training
   2. Step-by-step Guide to Tube Training
   3. Tips and Tricks for Successful Tube Training
5. Sitting on Your Hand
   1. Introduction to Hand Training
   2. Step-by-step Guide to Hand Training
   3. Tips and Tricks for Successful Hand Training
6. Conclusion

🐓 Training Chickens: Building Positive Relationships and Having Fun

Do you love spending time with your chickens? Have you ever thought about training them to do fun behaviors? Training your chickens not only provides entertainment but also helps in building positive relationships. In this article, we will show you three exciting behaviors that you can train your chickens to do: jumping through hoops, running through tubes, and sitting on your hand. But before we dive into the training methods, let's understand why training chickens is important.

Training Chickens: Why It's Important

Training chickens goes beyond the surface-level entertainment value. It allows you to establish a bond and trust with your flock, making handling and managing them much easier. By training them, you can also ensure their safety by teaching them to follow commands and behave in certain situations. Additionally, training exercises their minds, keeping them mentally stimulated, which can prevent boredom and any potential behavioral issues.

🌟 Jumping Through Hoops

Jumping through hoops is a delightful behavior that can be easily taught to your chickens. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to train them:

Introduction to Hoop Training

Before you begin hoop training, it's essential to have your chickens target trained. If you haven't done so already, check out our previous video on target training your chickens. Target training helps in initiating and reinforcing new behaviors, including jumping through hoops.

Step-by-step Guide to Hoop Training

1. Introduce the hoop: Start by introducing the hula hoop to your chickens. Keep the hoop at a distance initially and perhaps have it resting on the ground. This gradual approach helps them become familiar with the object.

2. Use target or lure: Use a target stick or lure to guide your chicken close to the hoop. You can hold the target stick through the hoop or use your lure hand to entice them. Make sure to hold the hoop securely to prevent any instability.

3. Reward for progress: Gradually pull the target stick or lure hand through the hoop, rewarding your chicken for each step they take. Adjust the pace according to your chicken's comfort level to avoid scaring them.

4. Take baby steps: Initially, going through the hoop may be intimidating for your bird. Take small steps to get them comfortable. Having another person to hold the hoop can ensure quick reinforcement and support.

5. Fading out the lure: Once your chicken is familiar with the hoop, start reducing the use of target or lure. Slowly pull it away or show less of it to encourage the chicken to focus on the hoop itself.

6. Increase the hoop's height: As your chicken becomes more comfortable with the behavior, begin increasing the height of the hoop gradually. Give them enough space to jump by holding the lure hand or target further away from the hoop.

7. Maintain reinforcement: Continue reinforcing each successful interaction with the hoop to strengthen the behavior. Be mindful of using appropriate rewards, as chicken scratch may not be ideal due to potential disruptions.

8. Gradually remove lure: As your chicken masters the hoop jumping behavior, fade out the use of the target or lure. Reinforce longer behaviors, such as walking through the hoop until the middle, or going all the way through.

Tips and Tricks for Successful Hoop Training

• Use small bits of berries or produce as reinforcers instead of chicken scratch.
• Avoid using grapes due to the risk of skins causing health problems.
• Maintain a secure hold on the hoop to prevent wobbling and scare your chicken.
• Be patient and take your time to ensure your chicken's comfort and safety.
• Gradually increase the height of the hoop as your chicken becomes more confident.
• Remember to fade out the lure or target gradually to encourage independence.

🌪️ Running Through Tubes

Running through tubes can be a thrilling behavior for your chickens to master. Let's explore the step-by-step process for training them:

Introduction to Tube Training

Similar to hoop training, having a chicken that is target trained is helpful for tube training. We recommend using a collapsible dog agility tunnel as the tube for your chickens. Start with a small tube and gradually increase the length as your chicken becomes more comfortable.

Step-by-step Guide to Tube Training

1. Introduce the tube: Begin by luring your chicken closer to the tube using a treat. Ensure that the tube is securely positioned or held by another person to avoid scaring your chicken.

2. Reinforce small steps: Initially, encourage your chicken to touch or explore the tube. Slice down the approximation by asking them to step through the tube, reinforcing their progress at each stage.

3. Increase the tube length: Once your chicken is confidently walking through the short tube, gradually increase its length. Remember that changing the environment may require readjusting the approximation to maintain your chicken's comfort.

4. Fade out the lure or target: As your chicken becomes comfortable with walking through the tube, start reducing the use of the target or lure. Reinforce longer behaviors, such as walking through the tube until the middle or going all the way through.

Tips and Tricks for Successful Tube Training

• Use heavy bait or lure to entice your chicken to step onto the tube.
• Slice down the approximation if your chicken shows hesitation or discomfort.
• Gradually increase the length of the tube to challenge your chicken's capabilities.
• Be patient and provide praise or treats to encourage your chicken during the training process.
• As with hoop training, fade out the lure or target gradually to promote independent behavior.

🤚 Sitting on Your Hand

Having your chickens comfortably sit on your hand can be a rewarding experience. Follow these steps to train them to do so:

Introduction to Hand Training

Before beginning hand training, ensure that your chicken is comfortable eating from your hand. If not, refer to our video on teaching chickens to be cuddly for helpful tips and tricks.

Step-by-step Guide to Hand Training

1. Start with feeding: Put food in one hand while keeping your other hand flat on the ground, palm up. Slowly pull your food hand closer to your body, enticing your chicken to touch or brush against your flat hand on the ground.

2. Feed for position: Continue feeding and pulling your food hand forward until your chicken has both feet positioned on your hand that is still flat on the ground. Reinforce this behavior by steady feeding.

3. Gradually raise your hand: Once your chicken is comfortable with standing on your hand, gradually start raising your hand off the ground. Maintain a steady and flat position to ensure their balance.

4. Fade out the lure: Slowly reduce the food lure's prominence and only reward for two feet on your hand, rather than one. Gradually progress to rewarding for lifting, balancing, and eventually sitting on your hand.

Tips and Tricks for Successful Hand Training

• Keep your hand flat and steady to provide a secure and comfortable perch for your chicken.
• Adjust your feeding technique or perch position if your chicken frequently steps off your hand.
• Avoid the need for constant reinforcement by luring your chicken back onto your hand if they step off. Instead, lure them back and reinforce once they are on your hand with two feet.
• Gradually increase movement and mobility once your chicken is comfortable sitting on your hand.
• Practice slow movement and avoid sudden jerks to prevent your chicken from losing balance.

Conclusion

Training your chickens to jump through hoops, run through tubes, and sit on your hand can provide hours of entertainment and help build a stronger bond between you and your flock. Remember to be patient, use positive reinforcement, and adapt the training methods to suit your chickens' comfort levels. By investing time and effort into training, you will not only enrich their lives but also deepen the enjoyment you derive from your feathered friends.

Resources:

• Video: How to Target Train Your Chickens
• Video: Teaching Chickens to Be Cuddly
• Collapsible Dog Agility Tunnel