To tame chickens in Minecraft, simply feed them seeds, and they will follow you; breeding them requires two fed chickens and seeds for baby chicks.
Taming chickens in Minecraft provides a steady supply of eggs, feathers, and food. Unlike wolves that require bones, chickens respond to seeds – making them one of the easiest mobs to tame. This guide covers everything from finding chickens to advanced breeding techniques.
Finding Chickens in Minecraft
Chickens spawn naturally on grass blocks with at least 2 blocks of free space above them. They appear most frequently in:
- Plains
- Forests
- Sparse jungles (highest spawn rate)
They won’t spawn in:
- Deserts
- Snowy plains
- Ice spikes
Using Spawn Eggs
If you’re having trouble finding chickens, use a chicken spawn egg from creative mode or commands. This lets you place chickens anywhere.
How to Tame Chickens
Step 1: Gather Seeds
Chickens will follow players holding:
- Wheat seeds
- Beetroot seeds
- Melon seeds
- Pumpkin seeds
Step 2: Approach Carefully
Chickens fear:
- Cats
- Ocelots
- Wolves
- Players with swords
Move slowly and avoid scaring them away.
Step 3: Lead to Enclosure
Right-click while holding seeds to make chickens follow you. Guide them to a safe pen or coop. For coop design tips, see our guide on how big a coop you need for chickens.
Breeding Chickens
Basic Breeding
- Gather two adult chickens
- Feed each seeds until hearts appear
- They’ll produce an egg
- Throw the egg for a chance to hatch a chick
Advanced Techniques
| Method | Effect |
|---|---|
| Feed seeds to eggs | 10% faster hatching |
| Use chicken farm | Higher egg production |
Chicken Behavior
Movement
Chickens will:
- Wander aimlessly
- Avoid cliffs
- Flap wings when falling
Egg Laying
In loaded chunks, chickens lay eggs every 5-10 minutes. For more about egg production, check our article on why chicken eggs might be watery.
Special Chicken Facts
- Baby zombies can ride chickens (naturally in Java Edition)
- Chickens take fall damage but reduce it by flapping wings
- They drown after 15 seconds underwater
- Eggs can make cake and pumpkin pie
Troubleshooting
If chickens won’t follow:
- Ensure you’re holding the right seeds
- Check for nearby predators
- Make sure you’re not holding a sword
For more chicken care tips, visit Pixelbot’s Minecraft guide.