Easiest & safest way to catch one of your flock?

[Laura West]

I've recently become aware, thanks to the helpful replies I've received concerning an issue I was having with a young chick that to effectively treat my chicken I must catch & examine it's crop, in the morning & before it retires to roost & possibly for several days. I only get chaos when I try to handle my chickens during the daylight hours. What am I doing wrong & is there a safe & easier method of capturing one of my flock in order to examine it in the morning?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

If you are wanting to check the crop, wait until she goes to roost. Chickens cannot see well in low light.
Wanting to check it in the morning, do the same-get out there early before they come off the roost and feel the crop.

 

[ChickenGal1842]

If u can, try picking it up when it's dark out and the chickens are in the coop, they cant see that well and they r usually super quiet and you can use a flashlight to find the one you want.

 

[Laura West]

If you are wanting to check the crop, wait until she goes to roost. Chickens cannot see well in low light.
Wanting to check it in the morning, do the same-get out there early before they come off the roost and feel the crop.

OK thanks, Wyorp Rock for the advice & response! I got this now!

 

[Redhead Rae]

If I need to catch a bird in the daytime, I use a wire cylinder to drop over their heads and I bend down to pick them up. The cylinder in the pic below is made out of 1"x2" welded wire and I don't have the water bottle on it when I'm using it as a chicken catcher. The reason why it works is the birds are focused on you and don't see the wire coming down over top of them.

They also make great temporary holding pens if you stake them down and put something on top. You can hang water bottles from the side and put a tarp over top for shade. I usually do this when I'm tagging birds or getting ready to process roosters.

 

[aart]

I got this now!

I rarley need to catch a bird during the day, always grab them off the roost at night to put them in an observation crate.

If I need to catch a bird in the daytime, I use a wire cylinder to drop over their heads and I bend down to pick them up.

Huh...gonna have to try this.
You'd still have to get pretty close tho so I've got my doubts.
Are those rabbit bottles, they work good for birds too?

 

[Redhead Rae]

Huh...gonna have to try this.
You'd still have to get pretty close tho so I've got my doubts.
Are those rabbit bottles, they work good for birds too?

My birds tend to flock near me when I'm in the pen and they don't truly run away until I bend over to grab them. I have a few younger birds that are harder to catch (broody raised) and keep a longer distance from me. I usually have to corner them.

Yes, those are rabbit bottles and they work very well for birds.

 

[Abriana]

There are many methods to catching a chicken. you can wait until she/he is in the coop for the night on the roost, or you can grab them early in the morning before they've come off the roost (very, very early). there are also devices you can use, such as a pole with a hook at the end, or a long handled net, that efficiently and humanely catch your bird. having tame birds is a super huge help. Handling chicks when they are young and spending time with you adult birds can help them become more used to you and it will be easier to catch them.

 

[Laura West]

If I need to catch a bird in the daytime, I use a wire cylinder to drop over their heads and I bend down to pick them up. The cylinder in the pic below is made out of 1"x2" welded wire and I don't have the water bottle on it when I'm using it as a chicken catcher. The reason why it works is the birds are focused on you and don't see the wire coming down over top of them.
View attachment 1376323
They also make great temporary holding pens if you stake them down and put something on top. You can hang water bottles from the side and put a tarp over top for shade. I usually do this when I'm tagging birds or getting ready to process roosters.
View attachment 1376330

Thanks for this great idea!!

 

[Laura West]

There are many methods to catching a chicken. you can wait until she/he is in the coop for the night on the roost, or you can grab them early in the morning before they've come off the roost (very, very early). there are also devices you can use, such as a pole with a hook at the end, or a long handled net, that efficiently and humanely catch your bird. having tame birds is a super huge help. Handling chicks when they are young and spending time with you adult birds can help them become more used to you and it will be easier to catch them.

Thanks for great advice! I appreciate it!