Catching Chickens for Dummies (me)

[Mutt Farm]

So...I hope this amuses ya'll. I'm a brand new urban chicken mom. My 5 mo Easter Eggers are sketchy and flighty as heck! Roosting on top of an 8' barn stall wall! So Dad says "gotta clip a wing". Right? But that means I "gotta catch a chicken! Hmmm... K. So I watch videos of how to chase them. Nope...I don't run. Then I see the hook. Nope, scared I'll break a leg or cause a heart attack. Net? Nope. I just don't want to scare my youngsters.So this gal needs to out smart them. I have a brand new method that worked! My 15 chicks have a 12X16 "coop" and a 16X48 run. I ain't chasing! I put a wire dog cage in the corner of the run, (door open with meal worms), used a plywood scrap as a chute ran them outside. They walked right into into the cage! My Dad "ate crow"!

 

[GitaBooks]

That's so funny! And awesome too!

I'm glad you found a way that worked. Its always a real challenge for us to find a way to catch our chickens.

 

[rooster092]

I always try to get them between two peices of wood and then i put one hand on them and quickly grab them with the other and to calm them i usually stroke their breast its the easiest way to catch them for me

 

[centrarchid]

Work to get those birds tamed down. Chase only in an emergency. So do not.


Pull birds down gently from roost after dark using a flashlite and a board a bird can stand on. The clip after night.


I strongly recommend against clipping if birds kept free-range unless kept in an urban setting. Find other ways to make so flying does not get them into trouble.


Indicate if you are interesting in taming the birds down.

 

[Mutt Farm]

Thank you for the good advice. Yes! I am interested in taming them down. They are setting a bad example for the 9 that are younger. I have 15, all are tame and friendly enough, most will eat out of my hand, some will let me pick them up except these 3 Eggers. Dunno what's different, I did the same with all of them. They run away, stay 5 ft from me, I sit with scratch and meal worms around me... they won't come nearer than 5 ft. What can I do?
They don't really "free range", they have a 16X48 secure outdoor yard. I let them out to wander when I'm down there with the horses, but never unattended. Here's some pictures...Their roost and where the eggers were roosting and getting out. Thanks for any advice!