When Should You Start Training Chickens

If you’ve ever spent an evening chasing chickens around the yard, you know how tricky it can be to get them back into their coop. Chickens are fast and clever, and chasing them often turns into a frustrating game you can’t win. But don’t worry—there are simple methods to train your flock to head home on their own every night, saving you time and hassle.

Step 1: Set Up a Routine for Your Chickens

Chickens thrive on routine. Once they understand where their roost is, they’ll instinctively return every evening. Here’s how you can establish that habit:

1. Keep them in their coop for 1-2 weeks when you first introduce them to the space.
2. Let them out at the same time every morning to free-range or explore the yard.
3. Observe when they naturally return to the coop on their own.
4. Close the coop at the same time each night to signal that it’s bedtime.

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Over time, your chickens will learn to return to their coop as part of their daily routine. To encourage this behavior, offer a small reward, such as feed or treats, when they come inside.

Step 2: Train Chickens to Come When Called

An easy way to ensure your chickens head into the coop is to train them to associate a specific sound with food or treats. Chickens have excellent hearing and can quickly learn to associate a sound with feeding time.

1. Use a bell, whistle, or a simple voice command (like “Here, chooks!”) every time you feed them in the coop.
2. Place treats inside the coop at the end of the day to encourage them to enter willingly.
3. Be consistent—make the same sound every evening when offering food or treats.

Eventually, your chickens will come running as soon as they hear the signal, saving you from the nightly chase.

Step 3: What to Do if You Need to Catch a Chicken

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Sometimes, you may need to catch a chicken during the day—perhaps for medical care or to protect it from a predator. Here are safe and effective ways to do this without injuring the chicken or yourself:

1. Use a Poultry Pole

• A poultry pole has a hook or crook at the end, allowing you to gently snag the chicken by its legs.
• These poles are commonly available at agricultural stores.

2. Avoid Using a Net, If Possible

• Nets can cause injury if a chicken’s claws, wings, or beak become tangled.
• If you must use a net, opt for a large one (like a fishing net) and be as gentle as possible.

3. The Cardboard Box Method

• Corner the chicken and place a large cardboard box over it.
• Allow the chicken to calm down inside the box, then gently flip the box and close it to transport the chicken safely.

4. Hands-Only Approach

• If you’re in a confined area, gently press down on the chicken’s back (similar to how a rooster mounts a hen).
• Once the chicken squats, you can easily pick it up while keeping its wings close to its body.

Retraining Chickens That Refuse to Return to the Coop

If you forget to close the coop at night or your chickens find a new favorite roosting spot, they may stop returning to the coop altogether. When this happens, you’ll need to retrain them:

1. Confine them to the coop again for 1-2 weeks to reset their habits.
2. Be consistent with feeding and bedtime routines to reinforce the habit of returning to the coop.
3. Ensure the coop is a comfortable, safe environment with proper roosting areas and protection from predators.

With patience, your flock will relearn that their coop is the safest and most comfortable place to sleep.

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Training chickens to return to their coop doesn’t have to be a frustrating task. By establishing a consistent routine, using treats and commands, and knowing how to safely catch them when necessary, you can make this process smooth and stress-free. Chickens are creatures of habit, and with a bit of patience, they’ll quickly learn where home is—and head there all on their own.

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