Hurry Up Chicken Butt: Rules, Setup and Party Play Tips

By Exploding Kittens | Party card games, puzzles, greeting cards | Published: 2026-11-01

Category: How-to Guides

Learn how to play Hurry Up Chicken Butt with clear rules, setup steps, and party tips. Shake, act fast, and avoid holding the Chicken when the timer stops.

Quick answer

To play Hurry Up Chicken Butt, shake the Chicken to reveal an activity, perform it quickly, and pass the shaker before the timer goes off. The player holding the Chicken when time runs out is out for that round.

Why the timer changes everything

The timer is the game's engine, not just a countdown. Because you must act and pass before it stops, the pressure stays high and turns are short. That makes it easy to learn but hard to master, and it keeps younger players in the mix since everyone gets the same chance to win.

What to expect from the activity cards

Each shake reveals a different activity, so no two rounds feel the same. You won't know what you're doing until the Chicken shows it, which means you can't pre-plan your move. That unpredictability is what makes it a strong party game, but it also means players who dislike surprises may need a round or two to warm up.

Step-by-step: How to play Hurry Up Chicken Butt

Set up the game: Place the Chicken Shaker and timer within easy reach of all players. Make sure everyone can see the shaker and hear the timer. Common mistake: starting without checking that the timer works and that all players know where to pass the Chicken. Do a quick timer test before the first round.
Choose the first player: Pick someone to start by holding the Chicken Shaker. For a party, you can have the youngest player go first or roll off. Common mistake: spending too long deciding who starts—just pick and go. Keep the start quick to maintain energy.
Shake to reveal the activity: The starting player shakes the Chicken to reveal an activity. Everyone should see what it is. Common mistake: shaking too gently so the reveal isn't clear—shake firmly. Make sure all players can see the revealed activity.
Perform the activity fast: The player who shook must quickly perform the shown activity. It doesn't have to be perfect, just fast. Common mistake: trying to be too precise and wasting time—speed matters more than accuracy. Emphasize speed over perfection.
Pass the Chicken: Immediately after performing, pass the Chicken Shaker to the next player. That player then shakes and repeats. Common mistake: holding onto the Chicken while celebrating or laughing—pass it right away. The pass is part of the game; don't delay.
Avoid being caught with the Chicken: Keep passing and performing until the timer goes off. Whoever is holding the Chicken Shaker when time runs out is out for that round. Common mistake: not paying attention to the timer—listen for it. Stay alert to the timer to avoid being caught.
Reset for the next round: After each round, reset the timer and start again with the next player. Play as many rounds as you like. Common mistake: forgetting to reset the timer—double-check before starting. Agree on a number of rounds beforehand.

Product facts

Hurry Up Chicken Butt: Shake the Chicken to reveal your activity, then quickly perform it before passing the Chicken Shaker to the next player. This core loop means every player gets a fair shot, especially younger ones, since the activity is revealed to everyone at the same time.
Hurry Up Chicken Butt