Can they be herded back into pen after a short foraging outing?

[suburban]

Mine know that when I'm carrying a particular bucket that they are getting kitchen treats. They would follow that bucket anywhere!

 

[sheaviance1]

Mine come when they hear me call out "Chick chick chick chick". That's how I have always called them for treats. So now, whenever I want them, I can call them right over and they run to me, no matter where they are. I have also used the same call when there has been trouble afoot, like a stray dog, but in a different tone. The seemed to recognize it as danger too. They stopped, looked around, spotted the danger, most took off to the coop, a couple came to me and I led them to the coop. I was impressed, as I had never used it as a danger call before. I wonder if that is my "crow"?

 

[eastercreek]

I am glad this topic was approached. We dont have our chickens yet...but we do plan on letting them out within the confines of a larger fenced backyard once we get them...but only when we are outside. I was concerned that they may not go back to the pen when asked. I will start by training them with a sound and treats so when we do let them out we will be ok.

 

[newchik715]

If I try to put my girls up before they are ready it quickly turns into the great chicken chase. I have to have my husband and daughter help me and use a long stick. and there is still always ONE that refuses to go down without a fight....and I only have four girls. My girls come when I call....just not into the coop before bed time!

 

[One Silly Chicken]

I take food or treats along with me. The girls know the container I use, so when they see me holding that they know there is something good for them and they come running. Sometimes it is hard to get them in if they are enjoying themselves. For the most part they come back to their coop at dusk. Once in awhile I send the kids out to gather them up and put them away.
Good luck!
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[justmeandtheflock]

As long as they are trained to some signal that treats are coming it shouldn't be too much of a problem to get them back in. That signal can be your voice, the sound of a can shaking, visual, etc. I always say "Biiiiiir diiiieeeesssss" in a high pitched voice before I hand out the treats. If I want to get them in I use the cue and toss some scratch into the run. They can't get in there fast enough.

 

[Sparhawk]

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Or, like mine, they come running every time they see me step outside--they always think they're getting treats!

Mine do the same thing. If they are out or at the other end of the pen, I round the corner and they all come running looking for a hand-out...

 

[One Silly Chicken]

At first it may seem like a battle, but as they get use to you and a routine it will get easier. You & the chicken will know what works best.
Good luck! Enjoy your chickens when you get them. They are a blast!!

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[elmo]

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It helps if it's a routine, something they can learn and then expect. I herd my chickens between several different housing arrangements (three stationary coops and two day tractors). I leave the door open on only the pen I'm trying to get them to go into, and I herd them with a long handled poop scoop in one hand and the long handled litter pan in the other. Usually it's pretty easy. Once I get a couple of chickens headed in the right direction, it's like they realize "oh, yeah. She wants us to go in there." All the chickens except for Wrong Way Scooter are pretty quick on the uptake. Wrong Way Scooter usually runs in the opposite direction as all the other chickens and runs around the pen two or three times wildly, looking for the way in.

In winter, I don't tractor them every day, so they're not in the groove of the routine anymore. It can be a little ...interesting... on the few days now when I move them, especially since I put down fresh compost in the garden beds and everybody wants to go there instead of into the tractor.

If your chickens only have to learn to go back to a single coop/run, I'd say that would be very easy to teach them.

 

[elmo]

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With me, it's "chick chick chickENS!" in a high pitched voice. I always hope my neighbors aren't out in their yards to hear me.