Solitary chicken - need advice

[Justadmin]

Do you think it's lazy or bad chicken parenting to use mealworms to get the girls to go where I want them to go?

 

For example in the mornings when I let them out in the garden whilst I poo pick I throw a few mealworms down to keep them away from my plants whilst my back is turned, and then to get them back in the WIR when I go to work I throw another few mealworms into the run and they go running in after them.

 

Is this sort of technique alright? Or am I spoiling them?

[Grandmashazzie]

I would say it's fine, it's exactly what I do And worse when I have run out of mealworms I shake the empty bag in the run and they all run in.

[Justadmin]

Haha thank you Grandmashazzie - I trick them sometimes too by throwing a bit of chicken grit instead of worms if I have run out, glad I'm not the only one! They're getting wise though as last time I tried the grit they just looked at it and then looked back at me as if to say "who are you kidding?!"

[sjp]

sometimes bribery and corruption is the only thing that works with them

we all do it. but it's no fun when you've got a dozen crowding around the back door through because every time they hear it been unlocked they think your bring the treat tub out

[Justadmin]

Yes luckily we only have the two (for now!) but even so I do feel a bit surrounded when I go in and they're both dancing round me with their necks stretched up to see if I have anything for them. Still, whatever it takes to keep them under control. I do love them, so much! More than I thought possible to love a couple of bags of feathers!

[redsunset]

Lol, good training in my book! I have about 45 and they run up my drive at lunchtime knowing fine well I must have 'something', anything??......