Chickens in control

[Kaesi2020]

Hi all, this may be more venting than advice seeking but I definitely could use some tips. My 6 ten week old hens are amazing and I love them. I am new to this and have learned a lot from this forum. Thankfully my chicks are healthy and all is well except....they refuse to return to the run/coop. At dusk they will go in easily but if I am free ranging them and then need them back in their run for whatever reason during the day, it is incredibly hard to get them in there. A few I can usually hoax in with a treat but two in particular will do anything to avoid it- hide far away in prickly bushes, run in zig zag directions, etc..they will not come for the treat because they know I am tricking them. I try and avoid chasing them in but sometimes it happens. Any tips or tricks? I am still reluctant to leave them to free range if I leave the house..should I be more comfortable with them doing so now that they are ten weeks old? Thank you! Side note- I LOVE my buff orpingtons but those two are the toughest to get into run

 

[The Happster]

I find by now mine learn they will get a treat for going in, and they will go in whenever I go near the coop. Sometimes I don't have a treat and they will still go in. I think it's about them associating the shed with treats, or, even better, associating you with treats. If they get enough free ranging time while you can give them it it should be easier too.

 

[Kaesi2020]

I find by now mine learn they will get a treat for going in, and they will go in whenever I go near the coop. Sometimes I don't have a treat and they will still go in. I think it's about them associating the shed with treats, or, even better, associating you with treats. If they get enough free ranging time while you can give them it it should be easier too.

Thanks. Perhaps I should only give treats in or right near the coop/run. I am guilty of giving the treats throughout the yard when they are free ranging. Today, I had a little bit of spaghetti for the one buff orpington I was left trying to get in the run. She snatched it right out of my hand and went running off into the bushes with the spaghetti. It was funny but frustrating.

 

[The Happster]

Well I feed them everywhere. I see one looking at me and then I feel bad I haven't given her anything so I go and get her something....and then I have to give some to the others because they look jealous. And by that time the first hen has finished and is looking at me again..... So then I go and get-
You can see how it goes.
I do have to pick up some of my chickens to put them in. But not the ones in the shed that I was saying about.
It helps to have a noise or word to call them with. If you shout 'chickens' or ding a bowl every time you feed them, they'll quickly learn.
Only shout 'chickens' if you don't have close neighbors....

 

[Oncoming Storm]

My first batch of chickens started at my old house that was surrounded by houses on a through street. They ALWAYS flew out of the run and ranged in my yard. Front back. They overran my front porch and would chill in my front yard which terrified me because people often drove around 50mph despite it being a 35 zone. They would NOT go back inside the run no matter what I did. We ended up having to make the fence taller so they couldn’t fly out. I couldn’t stay home to watch them since I have school. None of them surprisingly got hit by a car. Now my flock has nearly quadrupled and they are all free ranged at my new house down at my barn.

 

[Folly's place]

Chasing them will make things worse, and without a big long handled fish net, and luck, you won't succeed anyway.
I only feed in the coop and run, treats included. Having bits of food outside encourages visitors at night, a bad thing.
Once outside, there's not a lot of incentive to come back to the run! When they are in the run, start calling them (I use 'chickchickchick" in a higher tone) with treats on the ground in front of you. They will come for treats then, for sure! Try this when they are coming in anyway at dusk, always positive, always in the run/ coop.
You MIGHT get most or all of them to decide to come in when called, eventually.
If you are going to be gone, just don't let them out that day!
Mary

 

[Studabird]

Maybe also give them treats when you are not trying to get them in as well. So they do not associate treats with capitivity.

 

[Folly's place]

That's why i start calling and offering goodies in the coop and run first too.
Mary

 

[NatJ]

I try and avoid chasing them in but sometimes it happens. Any tips or tricks?

Can you herd them? Not crazy chasing and running, just walk calmly toward them and they walk away from you. A stick helps, too--they move away from the stick or away from you, which makes it easier to steer them.

I found a youtube video that shows the sort of thing I have in mind:

 

[Folly's place]

That works, if they are already fairly close to their destination. From far away, no.
Mary