Can you catch and tame ferral chickens?

[The Kibble Goddess]

As our city has grown, some small farms have been sold/buldozed for development. About 4 years ago, someone left their chickens when their farm was sold. The chickens have moved into a nearby, heavily wooded vacant lot, about 3 acres? - right next to the new McDonalds

The truckstop manager says about 5 chickens make it through the winter, usually about 3 hens and 2 roosters, and every spring there's at least 15 chicks. They must be hardy as there's no grain feed, dogs get after them all the time, as well as racoons and foxes, but the flock has survived for 4 years.

Incoming development is squeezing their habitat, and the truckstop employees are seeing them more and more. They are beautiful birds, but I don't think they can continue like this.

Would it be possible to trap them? What would be the best/easiest way? The site is heavily wooded - I'd need a machete to clear a path. So I don't think I can go in at night and snatch them off their roosts - I probably coulcn't even reach them. I've seen them foraging along the lot line, and I was wondering if I could set up a dog pen there and bait them into it for several days. Then after they area used to eating in there, rig a line and pull the door closed from a distance.

Do you think they would adjust to life in a coop, or would it be best to leave them where they are?
Thanx

 

[ChickenChick22]

I think it would be best to save them if they are in danger. I am not that sure but if they had a nice size run I am sure they could adapt, but try to make to move and capture low stress, contact some of the chicken smart people on hear, I am sure they would be happy to give you ideas

 

[Mahlzeit]

They would adapt just fine. Of course at the begining they would be very flighty and fearful but over time would adjust. I would say the best way would be to feed them for a few days in one area so they get used to that spot and then set up some sort of coral with fencing leading to a dog crate and try to slowly chase them in there. Keep us updated.

 

[greathorse]

I am not an expert on chicken behavior but I do observe them and other animals especially horses and dogs and get along pretty good. On one hand it would be cool to trap and keep these guys and on the other hand pretty neat to see how long they survive. It sounds like habitat may be decreasing so trapping would be an option. Finding where they roost and snagging them at night is an option but I would imagine has its risks to both you and the chickens.

I agree that a feeding station that gives them easy access to feed and then ultimately some kind of chicken wire trapping area that you can drive them to. I am guessing that the feeding times would ultimatley become fairly regular and you could observe some of the habits/

Good luck it is pretty cool that these very domesticated creatures can make it for I think you said four years. What a testiment to survival.


Good luck wth that.