Used Omlet outdoor rabbit run Width 2.2m Height 2.05m Length 3.1m vgc.

[stu]

Hi...

I don't know if this has been covered at all, but I just wanted to share this.

 

I feel bad lately, because my chickens are more and more kept in their run, and as a result of some of my neighbours losing their entire flocks to mink... even during the middle of the day.

 

They love to roam and scratch about the garden (usually illicitly eating my wife's flowers and herbs), but now have to be watched, and preferably when the dog is pottering about too. The problem arises when I have to go out and getting the little beggars back into the run can prove difficult, depending on the likelyhodd of discovering a worm.

Now I have a shaker (a small tub with pebbles in it) and for a while, shook it, whenever they were given a treat... now, all I have to do is shake it, and they come running back to the run from whatever they might be doing. They still get a treat when they do, but not every time now. They don't seem to mind.

 

Basically, if you spend most of your time running after your chickens to get them home, before dusk, try this... it's the first time I have ever really found a use for the psychology I did years ago, and is a very easy way to round them up.

 

Thanks.

Edited July 15, 2012 by Guest

[dgreenster]

interesting post!- i have also inadvertently managed to do the same with a ceramic pot i have used with treat corn in ...it works whether there is corn in or not ... and is a fantastic help when returning them into the run from their daily fr...

[CheekyPekins]

I'm the same - I have a little metal bucket that I put a bit of corn in and shake it to get the chooks' attention and then feed them the corn... Now, they just charge at me the minute they hear me shaking the bucket! A happy accident from a chicken newbie

[mollyripkim]

This happened to me by accident too, I have a tupperware container by the back door and shake it when I want them to come, then throw a bit of corn in the run and in they go.

Except Esme the Orpington had my daughter on a right run around recently when she looked after them one day and she just wouldn't go in!

[Mrs_B]

Mealworms work every time I need them back in their run!

 

I know how you feel about when it comes to not being able to let the chooks FR. Mine spend most of their day in their run because we have foxes which come out during the day and our neighbour's chickens were killed not long ago mid morning. I can't take the risk, it isn't fair on the chickens. I have found they are quite happy either way though and I have set up the run with long branches, woodchips and a huge dust bath etc so they are entertained

 

x

[stu]

I like the idea of the one chook that has learned the rule and decides it's going to break it by resisting, and running someone around the garden... lol.

 

I'd just rather they are safe, even if it means trying to put things in the run to amuse them. They stay on the same spot, and are on wood-chipping, and they love it when a new batch goes in, after they have turned the last ones to dust. They do keep a dust-bath under the cube too, and I like to hang things from strings, to make it harder for them to eat stuff. I can't get mealworm here, otherwise I would throw them a few in too.

 

Are there 'toys' for chickens..? I thought about using one of those things you get for cats that only drops a couple of things out after it has been tatted.

[The Dogmother]

been doing that for years, I either shake the 'corn pot' or whistle and they all come running; they are very easy to train.... far easier than men or children.

[merlina]

; they are very easy to train.... far easier than men or children.

 

Fabulous! and so true

[Roselady]

Hehe love these comments - mine are the same with live mealworms, however when I tapped the box and they hurtled over the other morning they were most put out to discover I'd chucked in dried ones, and shot straight back out, I wasn't quick enough!

[Plum]

been doing that for years, I either shake the 'corn pot' or whistle and they all come running; they are very easy to train.... far easier than men or children.

 

Can I send my little orp to you, she just stands and watches me. I always have to round her up The rest roll down the hill, fly and leap to me.

[mollyripkim]

I think maybe orps have a stubborn streak, my Esme is exactly the same, she does go in but sort of struts in her own time. Maybe my silkies are not quite so clever and forget it means they are being shut in.

[Simondegaris]

Well in two weeks time I get my new chickens, so as a newbie I have been getting as much advice from everyone as possible.

 

On a recent visit to a local garden centre that now stock chickens they young guy there gave me a many lesson. One of his tips was teaching and training chickens. He found that if he spent a coupe of minutes each day with each hen he could enhance this training. He would pick up a hen and put it just in front of him, then as she moved off he would pick her back up and put her in the original position. He did this continually.

 

He then showed us some of the new hens and showed us how to do it. He went to another pen with hens he had been training for a little while and he could walk in, and pick them up with ncredible ease. By continually rehearsing this it eventually clicked with the hens and he noticed that picking them up and moving them was just easy! It also made sure he could check each hen over and make sure they were all healthy, it's a great way to get to know the hens and make sure they are ok and one I will be using when I get mine!

 

Oh and I'm sure corn in a tub works wonders too!

[Plum]

Get their confidence and you'll soon be able to handle them.

 

Pigeon

[Cheeky Chooky]

It's mealworms here...even broodies come flying down the ladder at 100 miles an hour

[jasperaliceuk]

Love this pic of Rose bombing in to get her treats - they'll come whenever I walk out of the back door with something in my hand - cup of coffee, bucket - it doesn't need to rattle. They even know the click of the back door handle.

 

The photo by the way was a complete fluke!

 

Sue

[The Dogmother]

The Boy has ours trained I have to remind him to give them less corn

 

 

[Roselady]

Fab lovely pics

[Plum]

I love all these pics