Best way to catch them when they get out.

[SoldierSailor]

Our 5 week olds got out of the run this morning.

The Light Brahmas and Spangled Hamburgs are really FAST.

Any good ideas about how to catch them?

I don't want to stress them out, not so much a factor now but when they start laying is a different story.

Any advice on how to catch them once they get out of the run when dopey me forgets to close the run door when I'm inside cleaning.

 

[eliwilli]

. Do not chase them leave the door open and they will go back in on there on. They may wait till it is getting dark to do so. eliwilli

 

[tcstoehr]

Teach them ASAP to come when called. Start out by making some noise of your choice and then handing them a treat. Do this once a day and before long any time you make that noise they will make a bee line for you. Just make sure you always follow up with the goods. Once in a long while my chickens get into my "proper" yard where they absolutely *love* to be. All I have to do is make "the noise" and hold my hand down and they'll follow me like the Pied Piper. It is impossible to chase them out of an area and into another. But it is easy to lead them in. Catching more flies with honey... or something like that.

 

[donrae]

I've taught my dog to guard the open door while I'm inside. I don't like closing the coop door when I'm in there, and the run door doesn't have a latch on the inside. So, Roscoe guards the doorway for me and keeps the birds inside.

If something does happen and one gets out, I agree to having them trained to come to a signal. Most of my birds are pretty frantic to get back into their home and all I have to do is get out of the way. Barring that. my signal is shaking a can of feed. I do that each time I feed them, shake the can and call "chick chick chick", so they know it means food.