When I was 11, my grandparents took me to Branson. This was LONG before Branson was the entertainment mecca it is today! We came across a street fair, and my favorite part was playing tic tac toe with the chickens. I was a premier tic tac toe player, and had no idea how those chickens kept beating me! Nickel after nickel, I paid, they played, they won.
When I got my chickens, I was really surprised at how quickly they got used to things, and how they would respond in the same fashion, time after time. As young as 2 weeks, if I lifted the top of the brood box, they would jump on the roosting bar. If I put my hand in the box, one or more would try to jump in my palm.
As time goes by, I see them habitually doing things in response to other things. Before I moved their coop, they were close to the driveway. As soon as I would get out of the car, they would come to the front of the fence to greet me. It didn't matter if it was light or dark, if they were in their coop or outside playing. The second I was out of my car, they took note. Of course, with all that chicken cuteness, I would have to come over and say hello! Each chicken would then walk up to me and lightly peck my hand. When I would range them, when it was time to go inside, I would stand by the gate, and most of the time, most of them would walk inside. One day my chickens ended up in my neighbor's yard. I must have looked pretty funny when I chastised them, then had them following me in a single file line as I walked up our alleyway!
Now that they're in their new digs, I've noticed a lot of other habitual responses. Since they are located close to the kitchen windows, when the windows are open and I see them, I say, "Chick Chick," and they come running toward the sound of my voice. If I coo or talk sing son-y to them, they respond likewise. The past couple of weeks, when I say a name, that chicken will inevitably respond. And if I catch them doing something naughty, all I have to do is say their name in my teacher voice, and they will quit what they're doing.
I just find it fascinating. I do believe we can train them. Perhaps not as easily as we can train our dogs, and of course not the same tricks (can you imagine teaching a chicken to shake?). I'm interested to see if others have had experiences with chicken training. I mean, this lady seems to have taught her chicken how to maneuver an obstacle course!
As time goes by, I see them habitually doing things in response to other things. Before I moved their coop, they were close to the driveway. As soon as I would get out of the car, they would come to the front of the fence to greet me. It didn't matter if it was light or dark, if they were in their coop or outside playing. The second I was out of my car, they took note. Of course, with all that chicken cuteness, I would have to come over and say hello! Each chicken would then walk up to me and lightly peck my hand. When I would range them, when it was time to go inside, I would stand by the gate, and most of the time, most of them would walk inside. One day my chickens ended up in my neighbor's yard. I must have looked pretty funny when I chastised them, then had them following me in a single file line as I walked up our alleyway!
Now that they're in their new digs, I've noticed a lot of other habitual responses. Since they are located close to the kitchen windows, when the windows are open and I see them, I say, "Chick Chick," and they come running toward the sound of my voice. If I coo or talk sing son-y to them, they respond likewise. The past couple of weeks, when I say a name, that chicken will inevitably respond. And if I catch them doing something naughty, all I have to do is say their name in my teacher voice, and they will quit what they're doing.
I just find it fascinating. I do believe we can train them. Perhaps not as easily as we can train our dogs, and of course not the same tricks (can you imagine teaching a chicken to shake?). I'm interested to see if others have had experiences with chicken training. I mean, this lady seems to have taught her chicken how to maneuver an obstacle course!