How to Train a Chicken to Come When Called

Photo Credit:
Pixabay
Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener
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While most people think of chickens as simple barnyard animals, backyard poultry owners quickly discover they’re more observant—and more trainable—than expected. With the right approach, you can teach chickens basic behaviors like coming when called, especially when food rewards are involved.

Chicken training is fast, simple, and surprisingly effective. Since chickens learn through repetition and food association, short daily sessions can produce quick results. In many cases, chickens respond to training faster than traditional pets when consistent rewards are used.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to train a chicken to come when called using simple, positive reinforcement techniques.

Are Chickens Smart?

Chickens are capable of recognizing patterns, remembering locations, and associating sounds with rewards. They may not learn commands the same way dogs do, but they are highly responsive to repetition and food-based training.

This makes them ideal candidates for simple training behaviors like recall (coming when called).

two chickens on the grass
Your dog might soon be jealous that you and your chicken have formed a close training bond!

What You Need to Train a Chicken

Before you begin, gather a few basic items:

  • A hungry chicken (best trained before feeding time)
  • Small, high-value treats (tiny pieces of food work well)
  • A quiet training area
  • Consistency and short training sessions

Using special treats that chickens don’t receive outside training helps strengthen the behavior faster.

Step-by-Step: How to Train a Chicken to Come When Called

This page will focus on just one trick, but perhaps the most important one: how to make your chicken come when it’s called. Teaching your chickens this trick might help you keep them from straying too far!

Most tricks consist of many little steps, but because chickens peck quickly and love to eat, you can get lots of practice in a short period of time, which will lead to very fast learning. Best of all, you and your friends will soon learn to appreciate your chicken for her mind as well as her eggs.

1. Create a Food Association

Start by standing close to your chicken and saying its name. Immediately offer a treat. Repeat this several times so your chicken begins to associate its name with food.

2. Reinforce Quickly

Say your chicken’s name and deliver the treat within one second. Fast timing is important so the chicken connects the sound with the reward.
young boy training a chicken

 3. Keep Sessions Short

Train in short bursts—about 5 minutes at a time, twice per day. Short sessions keep chickens focused and motivated.

4. Increase Distance Gradually

Once your chicken begins responding, step a few feet away. Call its name and reward immediately when it approaches.

5. Add Distractions

After your chicken learns the behavior, practice in different areas or when mild distractions are present. Only increase difficulty when your chicken is consistently successful.

How to Use Food Rewards Effectively

Food is the strongest motivator for chicken training. Use small, high-value treats and only offer them during training sessions. This helps your chicken stay focused and eager to respond.

Avoid overfeeding during training—just a few pecks per session is enough.

Common Chicken Training Mistakes

  • Repeating the name too many times without rewarding
  • Using low-value food that doesn’t motivate the chicken
  • Training when the chicken is not hungry
  • Long, boring sessions that reduce attention
  • Increasing difficulty too quickly

Consistency and timing are more important than length or complexity.

How Long Does Chicken Training Take?

Some chickens begin responding within a few days, while others may take longer depending on personality and consistency. Daily short sessions typically produce noticeable results within one to two weeks.

Can Chickens Really Come When Called?

Yes—many chickens can learn to recognize their name and come when called through repetition and food reinforcement. While results vary by bird, most backyard chickens are highly capable of learning this behavior.

Training a chicken to come when called is one of the easiest and most rewarding backyard poultry skills. With patience, repetition, and the right food incentives, you can quickly build a reliable recall behavior that makes caring for your flock easier and more enjoyable.

For more tips on raising chickens for backyards, check out our Raising Chickens 101 series.

Chickens
About The Author
Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann is the Executive Digital Editor of Almanac.com, the website companion of The Old Farmer's Almanac. She covers gardening, plants, pest control, soil composition, seasonal and moon c...
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Comments

<span>Esther</span> Sat, 12/11/2021 - 07:39
I guess we've been training our flock all along, without realizing it. Anytime hubby comes home from work and they hear the garage door open, they all run to the gate, knowing he'll be out there soon to give them treats. Anytime we even open the sliding glass door to the back yard, they hear it and again, come running to the gate expecting to be paid attention to. And of course, when we do go out to the huge chicken run (we have LOTS of space for our flock), they all come waddling/running/flying over to the fence and are lined up watching our approach, long before we arrive. They know treats and/or yummy kitchen scraps are in the works! They are so programmed to come when we are present, that we can go out there with nothing, simply to check eggs, and they congregate around us and follow us incessantly, making their friendly noises and saying, "hi." We've bonded quite well with our flock, and they definitely come running, even without us saying a word.
<span>Geri Reski</span> Sun, 12/11/2022 - 07:55
We only have two Bard Rocks just a tad over a year old now and love them! While just two birds, they also come a running when they see me! I talk to them while raking leaves or cleaning their hen house or coop and they listen and talk too! They know their morning mealworm treat, kale lunch and evening scratch mixture(it’s winter so corn is on the menu to help them generate heat during the night). They LOVE their routine!
<span>Sandy</span> Fri, 12/18/2020 - 08:45
What kind of rooster was in the picture? I have a black and white one just like it. Do you know the breed? Thanks
<span>Kari</span> Sun, 12/11/2022 - 09:25
It's a silver appenzeller spitzhauben.
<span>Esther</span> Sat, 12/11/2021 - 07:49
I'm not sure, but it looks like it might be a silver-laced Wyandotte/Polish cross.
<span>Rhonda</span> Wed, 12/16/2020 - 10:50
I trained my chickens by saying 'good babies' every time I gave them dried meal worms. It wasn't long before I could just shake the meal worm bag and they'd come running, and I'd always say 'good babies'. Finally, I could just go out in the yard and holler 'come here babies' and they would come running! Chickens are so much fun.
<span>Betsy Tirado</span> Sat, 06/17/2017 - 20:40
I guess I'm going to be doing some chicken training this Summer in Puerto Rico. I'll be there for 75 days, will keep you posted. Betsy
<span>Mark</span> Thu, 06/08/2017 - 14:19
this is about the stupidest article i have ever read on farmers almanac lol must be a YANKEE thing lol
<span>Rosemarie Theile</span> Sat, 06/17/2017 - 09:53
Great article!
<span>Bob Miller</span> Mon, 06/12/2017 - 15:35
Chickens are easily trained! Not sure what Mark's issue is but my chickens look forward to my interaction with them. I enjoy having my morning coffee with them. Some talk more than others! I have a couple that will stay with me and talk all morning to me! They each have their own personality. Buddy my rooster sat on my shoulder when I was having coffee. To this day he likes to be with people when they sit around and talk!