mole Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 had my chickens a week now so am going to let them out into the garden to free range for a bit. just wondering how you call them back into the run? at around 530ish ive been giving them some corn and saying 'come on chickens bedtime!' reason being that i thought they'd associate me saying that with getting treats in their run. so when i say it they should come running back to their cube - right?! what do other people do and am i on the right track? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie&Moose Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 I used to work with horses as a teenager so all our pets, cats & chickens, are trained to come to a tongue-click. Works for my 10 yr old son and my partner as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CR666 Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 We have some corn as a treat in a plastic kitchen container, the girls respond to the container being rattled, this normally provokes a high speed response across the lawn, we then throw a small handful into the run and they just follow it in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 Either a shake of the Meal worms pot, or waving a plastic container that they get their porridge in, and they follow me anywhere! One day they may cotton on that the meal worm pot means being locked away - but until then it works just fine! A whistle also works, they come running across the garden as associate it with treats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 A whistle or tell them it's 'bedtime' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 A lot of Bok bok bok and a handful of corn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 Mine go in the run about 7 because of Mr Fox so this is when they get their treat - pasta, mashed pots, corn on the cob etc. I call them and as soon as they see the metal dish they all charge after me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GGLGirls Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 Special whistle works for us too - not just for bedtime, but also if we cant see them in the garden, we whistle and they come running Bless them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurpleTree Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 Mine usually come running as soon as they hear the back door opening. I've been using a treat bowl right from the beginning - just a cheap plastic dog bowl - they recognise it now. They usually get a couple of handfulls of corn in it, then place it in the run and they follow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 I just call "chickens!" and rattle the tub of mealworms. Then scatter some into the run and shut the door. I do give them mealworms at other times too, so they don't get to associate mealworms only with bedtime and being shut in. They are pretty good, really. They spontaneously huddle around the cube run shortly before dusk. One night I forgot them and they were already in and going to bed of their own accord and all I had to do was shut the run door. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannablue Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 I use a similar method - they see the treat tub and they come running. If they hear me go into the bag of corn they run up the garden and into the run and stand their waiting for their treat! If they are distracted and I am giving them a treat from the house, i.e. corn on the cob I just shout "Come on Girls" and show them the treat and they come running and will follow me wherever I need them to be. They learn very quickly dont they...not sure if it is us that have trained them or the other way around though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelley8179 Posted June 10, 2010 Share Posted June 10, 2010 I use kiss kiss noises , I love it when they come running, its so funny the way they run. One of my new girls has learnt it from the older two, just waiting for Holly to cotton on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie-Annie Posted June 12, 2010 Share Posted June 12, 2010 My two answer to their names thought all chickens did Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 12, 2010 Share Posted June 12, 2010 My lot answer too their names aswell. Well bob and betty do. The MD's think their names are bob and betty aswell lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foreveryoung Posted June 13, 2010 Share Posted June 13, 2010 mine all follow me in, more so if they see I have a bag of raisins in my hand lol its like a little "V" flying formation lol. oo and they come running to a click click noise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutti Frutti Posted June 13, 2010 Share Posted June 13, 2010 Mine come to food... called by the sounds of kisses, the sight/rattle of food/treat tubs/mealworms tubs (full or empty - how mean ), or to DH - he just has to stand there and they all flock round him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoopsie Posted June 13, 2010 Share Posted June 13, 2010 As soon as mine see the mealworm bag they come running. Doesn't work if i've got them in my hand, it's the bag they recognise!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mooresey Posted June 13, 2010 Share Posted June 13, 2010 I herd them with my arms out saying chuck chuck chuck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted June 13, 2010 Share Posted June 13, 2010 I herd them with my arms out saying chuck chuck chuck. We do similar - started off shaking the bowl and shouting 'chuck chuck' - now just 'chuck chuck' gets their attention! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gargan Posted June 13, 2010 Share Posted June 13, 2010 Sometimes I herd them back into the WIR. It works, but can be very slow. The quickest method has been: I go into the garden speaking chickenese. Once I have their attention I run towards the WIR. Most of the time, almost always, they begin to run behind me as fast they can. Judging from my wife's and neighbour's laughs this most be a very funny situation. Anyway, I then enter the run and stay beside the door. They all follow in, I go out and close the door. Works like a charm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mole Posted June 13, 2010 Author Share Posted June 13, 2010 well the chickens are having their first FR time in the garden as we speak and i will try all of the methods if they dont come to my 'come on chickens - bedtime!' and a bit of corn. ha ha they are so funny running around!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachael_farnsworth Posted June 13, 2010 Share Posted June 13, 2010 I just pick them up and put them back in the run... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted June 13, 2010 Share Posted June 13, 2010 If I haven't any treats at hand and they ignore me calling due to worms and such like, I close the cube door and a minute or so later they are anxious to go in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
