Paul Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 How much How often?? -GRIT and If they refuse to return to the eglu after a roam whats the best way to catch them. Would a large landing net scare them??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 Leave a pot of Mixed Poultry Grit where they can help themselves ad lib. I often have to resort to a landing net to catch Artemis Fowl. She doesn't particularly like it but....... My neighbour stuck his head over the hedge the other week and suggested a walking stick. Apparently that is what his Dad used years ago to hook reluctant chickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 I just fill up a spare peanut with mixed grit and leave it in the run until it's empty (or rather, empty of grit but full of stuff they're kicked in ). Re the catching, I'm afraid I just resort to bribes. A small handful of sunflower hearts or cut maize scattered in the eglu run usually has brings them running - though Nutmeg, who is shy and maybe not so bright, often has to be ushered round to the door, otherwise she paces up and down alongside the run It also helps if you train them to come when you call (again, using treats as a reward). You can use any sound you want - clucking your tongue, banging on a dish, shouting "chookie-chook-chook" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toastedblue Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 well, at first I had to chase them around the garden but now I just flap my arms (forward/backward, not up and down ) and herd them in... they now act like sheep even when roaming around the garden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 Mealworms. works every time - I only use about ten mealworms, start dropping them in a line towards the Eglu so the chooks follow you, and then hurl the last three or four deep inside the run. They will trample each other in the excitement of getting them, leaving you free to slam the door! Never fails, and because I only use a few, a pot of mealworm lasts me a month or more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 Treats work for me, if I need to get them in in a hurry. I've even seen me running into their run rustling an empty poly bag and they all come running, then I shut the door behind them and look at their poor wee faces when they realise they've been conned (sorry, that sounds cruel, I only do it if I've ran out of lettuce etc.) I have a landing net but have only used it a few times - funnily enough the 1st time I brought it out they all freaked before I'd even used it - the old girls must have remembered it from a past life Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peanut12 Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 when my girls were new I used to use the door pin from the run as a kind of shepherds crook. It's small enough not to scare them but guides them in the right direction Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 I use the door pin too if one just will not go through the door, when I had the 4 girls Saffy used to hang around outside just in case she got any extra treats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
argent13uk Posted February 25, 2008 Share Posted February 25, 2008 A two and a half year old girl in Peppa Pig wellies does the trick for me! They go running back in quite fast when she is about! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 My lot get bribed with treats. As soon as I open the back door they fly over to me and get under my feet so no problem herding them together. If I click my tongue they also come running. I throw a small handful of mixed corn inside their run, they all rush in and I shut the door. I make sure all other treats (like cooked rice, mashed potato etc) are given inside their run from a heavy bowl and they associate the bowl with treats and come running..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Check out my short video on how to train your chicken to come when called http://owlfamilydiary.blogspot.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 I rattle/rustle food bags in front of them and back towards where they need to be, then repeat a few step at a time. Day to day they go to bed when it gets a bit dark so I just leave them to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Check out my short video on how to train your chicken to come when called http://owlfamilydiary.blogspot.com/ BRILLIANT Snowy ...... Just like my lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missuscluck Posted February 26, 2008 Share Posted February 26, 2008 Great video snowy. They are just like mine. You mean food and tasty treats. Mine follow me round the garden. I go out in the garden to get some peace from the kids then get harrassed by hens No peace for the wicked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fur 'n' Feathers Posted February 27, 2008 Share Posted February 27, 2008 The video is lovely! Can see us doing this when we get ours. The neighbours are used to us calling our fissh! Wonder if the cat will join in? He's so nosey & hates being left out! Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...