lisaroo2 Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 Hi All Me and other half are thinking of letting the girls into the rest of the garden whilst there's not much growing in the garden, but are worried about getting them back into the run as none of them like to be handled. Any suggestions? (PS eight weeks before the big day!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alfred Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 Mine go in by themselves at dusk - or I bribe them in with some hot mash! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 Before I let mine out, I used to take them a RED bowl with a little sweetcorn (their favourite treat) and allow them to eat from it . Before I walked to the run, I blew a whistle. I did this for a week, so they associated the whistle and red bowl with a nice treat. Now, to get them back into the run I simply blow the whistle, show them the red bowl, and march them back to the run. put bowl in run, close door. Works everytime. H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenmb Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 Before I let mine out, I used to take them a RED bowl with a little sweetcorn (their favourite treat) and allow them to eat from it . Before I walked to the run, I blew a whistle. I did this for a week, so they associated the whistle and red bowl with a nice treat. Now, to get them back into the run I simply blow the whistle, show them the red bowl, and march them back to the run. put bowl in run, close door. Works everytime. H Priceless - not so much Pavlov's Dogs but Pavlov's Hens!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 We call it the Marching band !! I have a video of it, but haven't managed to upload it yet - I'll have another go. Everyine who's seen it is VERY impressed ! H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyknickers Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 Ha ha ha - been worrying about this already for when i get my chickens and now H's post has made me laugh and imagining me blowing whistles, holding red bowls and sweetcorn - husband already thinks i am crazy now this will make him call the men in white coats!!! I was hoping to let mine free range when i am in the garden and was planning on just shaking some corn to get them back in - obviously not as easy as I thought! x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 husband already thinks i am crazy now this will make him call the men in white coats!!! What are you suggesting ??!! I was hoping to let mine free range when i am in the garden and was planning on just shaking some corn to get them back in - obviously not as easy as I thought! I'm sure that would work - Just be careful the first few times - once they realise food is involved it will be fine!! H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 Mine will do anything for food. Any food. Although dried meal worms will cause a stampede like no other food... They also run towards me when I call "chickens", as they know means food... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larkspurs Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 I let our girls out when they have their afternoon treat (under supervision). When its time i.e. when my feet feel like ice blocks, I place the treat bowl in the chicken run with a few meal worms on top. It always works Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 Mine will go back of their own accord if the light's failing, otherwise I take a plastic jar with dried mealworms, call "chook chook chook" and they're falling over themselves to get in the run first . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 I make a clicking noise with my tongue - they associate this with treats and come running every time. Like Hazel I did this for a few days before lwetting them loose on the garden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirstine Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 Ours also come running when we call 'chickens' - unless they are Very Busy, in which case it is necessary to show them a banana. We did wonder whether they just responded to the tone of voice, but they don't come if you shout 'Manchester United' They also find their own way to bed at dusk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Try letting them out just before dusk to start with so they automatically go back into their house - you need to keep them in for a week or so at the very beginning to make sure they know where home is but after that they will go in at dusk. i do the same as the others - when they hear the door open they come charging over and sometimes if I can't find a treat to hand to get them in in a hurry I just do the throwing action towards the run and in they go. Funny, if a little mean! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saronne Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 My hens associate an orange plastic Ikea cup with corn treats and come running when they see it...yep, Pavlov's hens. Saronne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Mine come running the minute they hear either the back door or patio opening. They don't even have to see food -lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisaroo2 Posted February 10, 2009 Author Share Posted February 10, 2009 Thanks for all you comments. We're going to let them out into the garden on Sunday so I'll let you know what happens! Fingers crossed!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cherryblossom Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Mine don't need to see food either, they will follow us around anywhere. I sat on the floor earlier and they both jumped onto my lap. Whenever I want to put them back in their run I give them a handful of grain, mostly coz I feel mean otherwise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Yes me too, my problem when mine are out and about is not standind on them as they always hover round me. They tend to just wander back into the run when they've had enough . but I always give them treats too just beacause I feel guilty if I don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cherryblossom Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 I'm glad it is not just me having to avoid standing on them. A couple of times a chicken has gone flying as they got under my foot when walking fowards. They seem to have learnt not to get in front now, but are still very close. It is quite scarey as they seem to fragile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busybird Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 My DS1 is chief chicken herder. When I ask him to put the chooks away he goes to where they can see him, shouts 'CHICKEN'S' and runs away from them towards their run. They always leg it after him at high speed with much wing flapping. A handful of corn thrown into the run then gets them to where they should go. I do wonder what all our neighbours think of the performances we put on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
