Before you let your chickens free range, it is a good idea to have a strategy to get them back into their pen. Here are tips to train your chickens to come when called.
It is pretty easy to train chickens to come running when the reward is a tasty treat. Decide what delicacy will work to entice your chickens and follow these steps to train them to come when called:
STEP 1: START TRAINING IN A PROTECTED, FENCED IN AREA
Put up a temporary fence and let your chickens out of their pen into the enclosed area. Allow the flock to explore and peck for a while. We used a roll of livestock fencing, but you may want to invest in an electrical portable fence if you plan on moving the enclosed area to different parts of your yard.
Sit calmly with your chickens and talk with them. Your flock already sees you as the source of good things, the bringer of food, water, and treats. Chickens are very social creatures and spending time with them will help you further build trust.
STEP 2: DECIDE WHAT YOU WILL USE FOR YOUR CALL
Choose your “call.” It can be a word, phrase, or sound. Whatever you choose, be consistent and use the same thing each time. If it is a word or phrase, say it in the same way each time, such as, “Here! Chick! Chick!” or “Come on Girls!”
STEP 3: ESTABLISH A CONNECTION BETWEEN THE CALL AND REWARD
Choose a tasty treat for the chickens. You can use mealworms, sunflower seeds, unsalted pumpkin seeds, cracked corn, or whatever safe treat your flock goes crazy over.
Make the call and reward the chickens that come to you. No one wants to miss out on a tasty treat. The rest of the flock will soon take notice and follow. To reinforce the connection, keep calling your chickens and rewarding them as they come.
STEP 4: LEAD THE FLOCK TO THEIR PEN
Now that you have your chicken’s attention, and they are gathered around you, encourage the birds to follow you. Reward them along the way to keep them following you. Once in a while one or two will begin to wander off, call them back, and reward them again.
Toss a few treats into the pen and the chickens will follow. Close the door and reward them with a few more handfuls.
STEP 5: REPEAT THE PROCESS EACH DAY
The following day, repeat steps 1-4. Do this each day until you feel confident that your girls are responding quickly to your call and following you into their pen.
STEP 6: EXPAND THEIR FREE RANGE AREA
Once you are assured that your flock is trained to come, expand their free range area. Depending on the safety of your yard, remove the temporary fence and let them free range in a larger area. Be mindful of predators in your area and the safety of your flock.
Call them and get them back to their pen when free range time is over.
That’s it! Now your birds will come when called and will follow you wherever you lead. Some may even go directly to the pen because they know they will be rewarded there. Encourage this behavior by rewarding with treats.
Once and a while you may have a stubborn hen who suddenly decides not to stick to routine. If one member of the flock decides to be stubborn , others may join her. It is no fun trying to chase chickens around the yard.
When this happens, suspend free range time for a few days and things usually go back to normal. If this continues to be a problem, consider re-training from step 1.
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