Catching chickens...without causing flock hysteria

[BorregoMike]

I’ve got 30 birds, all ten weeks old today, with 8 of them being red broilers who are ready to move to the freezer. The rest are a combination of things, some for meat and some for eggs. Isolating the red broilers in the run or coop, and grabbing them, causes total freak out in the whole flock and my mere appearance in either area causes them to freak out for about a day or so afterwards. I don’t want that. I want a low stress way ( for the chicks) to get the birds that I want. How do other people do it? Looking for helpful hints.

 

[DobieLover]

I’ve got 30 birds, all ten weeks old today, with 8 of them being red broilers who are ready to move to the freezer. The rest are a combination of things, some for meat and some for eggs. Isolating the red broilers in the run or coop, and grabbing them, causes total freak out in the whole flock and my mere appearance in either area causes them to freak out for about a day or so afterwards. I don’t want that. I want a low stress way ( for the chicks) to get the birds that I want. How do other people do it? Looking for helpful hints.

Wait until it is dark out and get them. They are much more docile at night.

 

[aart]

Wait until it is dark out and get them. They are much more docile at night.

Ditto Dat^^^
I.don't.chase.chickens

 

[Compost King]

^^ above says it all. If I do need to catch one for what ever reason I use a fishing net with a long handle but your flock will still be disturbed by it.

 

[alexa009]

I find undertaking certain procedures at night also work well, (e.g. beak trimming.)

 

[MissChick@dee]

^^^yep^^^

 

[My1stChickens]

Maybe bring them some scratch so that they learn to approach you for good things, rather than to fear you? But agree with the others who suggest catching them after dark when they are on the roost. Much easier.

 

[Hybridchucks]

Yep, in the dark it'll be WAY easier.