Do I need mods or resource packs to use this command?

No. This is a vanilla Minecraft command that works in any Java Edition world with cheats enabled. No mods required.

Why is the command different for different versions?

Minecraft changed its NBT syntax between 1.8 and 1.9, and then again around 1.13. Using the wrong version for your game won't work, so make sure you pick the right one from the list above.

Will the baby zombie burn in daylight?

No. Baby zombies are immune to sun damage in Minecraft, so the zombie will survive even if you summon this at noon.

Can I ride the zombie on other animals?

Yes. Any mob can be a passenger on any rideable mob. Swap out 'chicken' for a horse, pig, strider, or camel to put a zombie on those instead.

What if the command doesn't work?

Make sure cheats are enabled in your world, and that you're using the command syntax for your exact Minecraft version. Copying from a guide for 1.20 won't work if you're playing 1.8.

Baby Zombie on Chicken - Minecraft Summon Command

Want to see something weird? Summon a baby zombie riding on a chicken. It’s a rare spawn in vanilla Minecraft, but you can create one instantly with a command. Here’s how to do it.

What You’ll Need

To run commands in Minecraft, you need cheats enabled in your world. That’s it. No mods, no special setup. Just a survival or creative world with cheats turned on.

The Command

The command changes depending on which Java Edition version you’re playing. Pick the one that matches your game.

Java Edition 1.11 – 1.20

This is the current syntax for modern Minecraft versions:

/summon chicken ~ ~ ~ {Passengers:[{id:zombie,IsBaby:1}]}

Java Edition 1.9 – 1.10

Slightly different format for these versions:

/summon Chicken ~ ~ ~ {Passengers:[{id:Zombie,IsBaby:1}]}

Java Edition 1.8

Much older syntax if you’re playing on 1.8:

/summon Zombie ~ ~ ~ {IsBaby:1,Riding:{id:Chicken}}

How to Use the Command

Step 1: Open the chat window by pressing T on your keyboard.

Step 2: Paste or type the command for your version.

Step 3: Press Enter to run it.

The chicken will spawn right there, and you’ll get a message in the chat saying “Summoned new Chicken”. Turn around if you don’t see it right away. The baby zombie is riding on top of the chicken.

Understanding the Command

Breaking down what’s happening:

/summon chicken creates the chicken.
~ ~ ~ means spawn it at your current location.
{Passengers:[…]} puts something on the chicken. The list inside the brackets is what rides it.
{id:zombie,IsBaby:1} says “the passenger is a zombie, and make it a baby”.

If you want to spawn the zombie+chicken at a different location, replace those tildes with actual coordinates. For example: /summon chicken 100 64 -200 {Passengers:[{id:zombie,IsBaby:1}]}

Tips

Baby zombies don’t burn in sunlight like normal zombies do, so this combo will survive during the day. If you want to summon other mobs on chickens, just swap out the zombie ID for something else like a creeper, skeleton, or even another player (if using multiplayer).

Related Commands

Check out our guide on summoning regular zombies if you want other zombie variations.

Baby Zombie on Chicken – Minecraft Summon Command