Sam Posted June 18, 2011 Share Posted June 18, 2011 Hello. Bit of a weird question but I'm sure I can't be the only one!! When I open the door to my WIR, the chickens jump and fly at the door and will do anything to get out! And of course, they can escape easier than I can get in, so they usually end up in the garden when I collect eggs, fill water etc. I have to get them back using meal worms, but obviously I'm starting to use alot of mealworms so want to stop them escaping! Any advice? Oh and their wir is plenty big enough, with wood chip and a roof! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimmyCustard Posted June 18, 2011 Share Posted June 18, 2011 You are not alone, mine do exactly the same. I open the door now with caution and when they jump up on the door jamb to escape, I gently push them off and they flap onto the floor again. They try it every time but I dont let them out unless I am in the garden for a period of time, sometimes they just run off to their favourite scratching spot in the garden and ignore Mummy when I call! I would just fling a very small handful of corn in, away from the door so you can get in, they'll soon get used to not being released every time you go into their WIR. Someone else with much more knowledge than me will be along soon I'm sure, with a great idea I havent thought of! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witzend Posted June 18, 2011 Share Posted June 18, 2011 another time for the water pistol ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 18, 2011 Share Posted June 18, 2011 I throw a handful of grains to the back of the WIR, and whilst they are busy there, I sneak in through the door to collect eggs etc. So far, no-one has escaped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted June 18, 2011 Share Posted June 18, 2011 Change your door to open inwards and put a kickboard at the bottom of the door then proceed with an open umbrella held in front of you If you throw corn you'll make it worse It's the corn they're leaping at you for not because they love to see you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted June 20, 2011 Author Share Posted June 20, 2011 I know what you mean, I try to push them along with my feet but they either just jump over or sneak under! They aren't as silly as you think! I've been using mealworms but have been getting through loads of them. The corn that people feed, is it sweet corn from a tin or one of them big bags that you get from chickeny places? Mine ignore sweet corn. I wish we did get an inward opening door, I'd like to see them get out then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimmyCustard Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 No, its the dried corn from chickeny places you need, I wouldnt go too mad with the mealworms, theyre full of protein and too much is not good for your girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
