xScrunchee Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 Hi everyone, Just another question I'm afraid! What is the general opinion on feeding the hens treats through the bars of the run? Yesterday the kids were giving the girls dandelion leaves and bits through the wire (Which of course the girls LOVE) but last night I was thinking and am sure that I read something before about someone's hen getting killed by a fox through the run (Bitten in the chest or something?) because her hens were so friendly and would run up to the bars waiting for titbits so they ran up to the fox making them easy prey! What does everyone else do cos I know the kids enjoy doing it and the hens lovely it too but does it stop them being safe? Thanks again all. P.S Pic of my babies- http://club.omlet.co.uk/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=12776 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 Hi Jay. I've never fed mine through the bars of the run - no real reason, just haven't. I feed them a treat of corn/wheat/meal worms on the lawn, and they are now trained to come for treats when i whistle, which is handy when you want to get them in the run quickly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 I feed mine through the bars. My boys do the same as your children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 It was my chicken that was killed by a fox in that way, by pressing her bosom up against the bars so that the flesh poked through. It was exacerbated by the fact that there was a full run cover over the top, and the fox was in the habit of lying on top of the run during the day. It hasn't stopped me feeding them through the bars, however, when I am in a hurry and want to give them a treat without letting them out. It was a freak incident with an extraordinarily stupid hen (even by hen standards) and an extraordinarily cheeky fox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 we always open the run door....whether its to throw some in for them to search for or if we want to give them a treat before going out....they just stand at the door. Never done it between bars.....but I know my chickens would eat it if we did! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 Great pics Jay Your kids look as if they are enjoying the girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaime Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 I give mine treats through the bars and on the lawn or in a bowl in the pen. I have learned that if you feed them through the bars too often they then peck your hands more when you go to open the run because they think that you have treats for them. Our son loves to feed the girls but he only has tiny fingers so they have got to learn that they are not food If they make too much fuss around his hands he just tends to throw whatever he is holding at them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 I feed mine through the bars because most times I don't have time to let them out I also fling mealworms over the top of the run so they fall down near the Eglu end, to enable me to open the door, whisk the feeders in or out, and close it again before any chickens escape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsbates65 Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 My girls just come out to get any treats. I guess since they are out so much I usually don't even put treats in the run. I must say I am so glad we don't have to deal with foxes in my neck of the woods. . . . I just started rehearsals for a new show this week and last night I came home after dark to find the girls roosting in the 'lu, but I had left them out. . .as they had been out all day. And since the run was still open and they were so docile, I thought they were too vulnerable. My cats, who get along with them great during the day, I hope woulnd't be a problem at night when they are more vulnerable. We do have a few opposums and raccoons around too. . .but I think they would mainly be interested in eggs and not the birds. I do think that from now on if I know I'm going to be getting home after they have put themselves up for the night. . .I will secure them in the run before I leave. Just makes me nervous. . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 Jay what lovely chickens! Your is so different to my 2 (how did I get 2 almost identical ones? ) and your 2 pepperpots are completely different! So funny when the kids go in the run isn't it? I dig up the big rooted weeds from the flower beds (docks and dandelions) and post them through the run bars. Also if I find any snails in the garden I lob them through the run - love to watch them pounce on snails (after their initial reluctance to tackle a very bold snail one day, I've honed their appetites by squashing a few for them - now they love them!). The boys poke allsorts through at them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted May 10, 2007 Author Share Posted May 10, 2007 Thanks for all the replies The only reason the kids stick things through the bars is because if the run door is open the hens (esp Rose) try legging it out into the garden and they have to stay in the run until Saturday evening. Emmie is only 7 and always has little 2 year old Liam close by so I think it's best that they don't open the run door. It's so sad what happened to your hen Gallina, let's just hope it was a freak incident and that it never happens again-to any of our hens. I'm trying to teach my girls to come for treats when I make a clicking sound. Thought it would make life easier in the long run if I had to get them back in the run in a hurry. Hubby thinks I'm stark raving bonkers and I think he may be right!! They are settling in so well considering they have only been here since Tuesday. Bobbie fell asleep on Emmies lap this afternoon for about 10 minutes. Bless. I am trying to handle them as much as possible so that any checks and things can be done easily. The only one who hates being touched is Ria but I'm working on her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandaR Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 Hi Jay. We too have taught our chooks to come to a clicking sound and it has worked brilliantly! It is really useful if I need to get them in the run quickly or can't work out where they are in the garden or at times when I've had a PANIC because I've only spotted 2 instead of 3...brings the hide-and-seeker out! I did at first feed them tit bits through the bars but have stopped that now as they see fingers as food and try to nip (very enthusiastically) everytime we open the eglu door! Now, they get the odd treat by hand when freeranging and also in a brightly coloured bowl each evening which is placed in the Eglu - you know, I'm sure they recognise the bowl now too - given the noise and sprint they make! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 (after their initial reluctance to tackle a very bold snail one day, I've honed their appetites by squashing a few for them - now they love them!). Snowy - I havent had breakfast yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 Have to say just because I remember Gallina's shocking experience I don't so much but I have on occasion thrown corn through. BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helly Welly Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 I've dropped corn through the bars at the top too but now they are in a big run, i go in and get attacked by six sharp beaks instead. My girls will come running to a high-pitched call of "chookieeees" Goodness only knows what the neighbours think, but i don't care Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 Sorry Laura! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 12, 2007 Share Posted May 12, 2007 Helly Welly - "chookieeees" I can just see your nehbours now 3 days till time! Just gotta decide on what hens we'll have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...