California - Northern

[Hangtown Farms]

What's the best way to teach my chickens to return to the coop at night if I let them free-range outside their run during the day? Also, next spring when we return to the ranch (we're going down to Dunsmuir for the winter) I'm getting a mixed flock of about 30. Should I worry about behavior problems? The chicks will all be raised together, but I'm getting a wide range of breeds.

welcome to the thread.

 

[MonsterClucker]

I have a similar issue as AnonAMauze I'm about ready to move some replacement layers for 2013 to the big coop. My flock free range the property. They do have a run though Their coop door is open 24 hrs. How can I imprint the new school's to the new coop? Will I just have to close up the run for a week or two?

And welcome to the thread AnonAMause

 

[debs_flock]

We have an egg!! A duck egg! Our first ever egg!!

I also was going to say it looks like a cayuga egg, do you have them?

People don't breed ducks for eggs like they do chickens.

Actually they do, Khaki Campbells. They are a small breed of duck (eat less food, take less space) and they lay a large egg nearly every day. They are beautiful as well.

Look into them, my son used to raise/show them.

Deb

 

[Hangtown Farms]

I have a similar issue as AnonAMauze I'm about ready to move some replacement layers for 2013 to the big coop. My flock free range the property. They do have a run though Their coop door is open 24 hrs. How can I imprint the new school's to the new coop? Will I just have to close up the run for a week or two?
And welcome to the thread AnonAMause

I would so they get used to it. Usually just takes a few days for them to get used to it

 

[lawatt]

I would so they get used to it. Usually just takes a few days for them to get used to it

one thing that has helped: i keep all their treats (cracked corn, sunflower seeds, etc) in a metal can, and they come running/flapping/squawking whenever they hear the sound of the lid being opened -- very handy if i want them to come back to their coop before the day is done -- or, probably, if i wanted them to go anywhere else, i could just move the can to that place & then open. instant flock.

 

[MonsterClucker]

one thing that has helped: i keep all their treats (cracked corn, sunflower seeds, etc) in a metal can, and they come running/flapping/squawking whenever they hear the sound of the lid being opened -- very handy if i want them to come back to their coop before the day is done -- or, probably, if i wanted them to go anywhere else, i could just move the can to that place & then open.  instant flock.

Oh yup! Forgot about that can. I had them trained with the dried meal worms Like that but I lost my leverage with them when I put scratch in it. Lol.

They look Like they want to say "That's not a treat!" When they discover No Worms

 

[DavidandWendy]

What's the best way to teach my chickens to return to the coop at night if I let them free-range outside their run during the day? Also, next spring when we return to the ranch (we're going down to Dunsmuir for the winter) I'm getting a mixed flock of about 30. Should I worry about behavior problems? The chicks will all be raised together, but I'm getting a wide range of breeds.

I'm truly surprised that your chickens don't go in instinctively! Our 4 chooks go in every night like clockwork and all we have to do is shut and lock the door! It's so cute that they put themselves to bed every night! If we had one of the timer doors we wouldn't even have to come home at night!...lol

 

[egg-lady]

I made a Papaya and green tea today for the first time. trying something new for hubbys gout. and I cut up the papaya and put it in the hot water to make tea. after it was ready i put the papaya in the garbage. i didnt even think to give it to the chickens. Would it be ok for them after it was cooled down? even soaking in the green tea.

 

[ronott1]

I made a Papaya and green tea today for the first time. trying something new for hubbys gout. and I cut up the papaya and put it in the hot water to make tea. after it was ready i put the papaya in the garbage. i didnt even think to give it to the chickens. Would it be ok for them after it was cooled down? even soaking in the green tea.

Papaya would be fine. They may not eat it the first time. Mine do that sometimes but the seem to remember next time and eat it.

Caffeine may not be all that good for them though. Green tee does have a type of caffeine so you may want to limit that. Maybe slightly rinse it? or let the papaya drain in a colander?

Happy Labor Day!

Ron

 

[Hangtown Farms]

Papaya would be fine. They may not eat it the first time. Mine do that sometimes but the seem to remember next time and eat it.

Caffeine may not be all that good for them though. Green tee does have a type of caffeine so you may want to limit that. Maybe slightly rinse it? or let the papaya drain in a colander?

Happy Labor Day!

Ron

I will take a cup..
Ron is right even Caffeine free is not usually completely Caffeine free