Fat chickens can barely walk

[LaFleche]

But then the neighbors won't get any entertainment.

You are right! Silly me!

 

[Lizzy733]

Neighbors think Im crazy whenever I chase the chickens tryin to catch them, bannies are the hardest lol

Nope.. I come bearing treats in a corner for my one 'no touchy' girl. She's getting better about not spooking or staying away when I'm near, but still does not like to be touched.

Better and easier to use treat motivation to your advantage. Mix it up and don't offer them treats every time too. In psychological studies, this sort of random reward training actually gives better results than a treat every time. - it's why gambling is so effective.

If there's the possibility of a treat, they'll put more effort in, even if they strut away with an empty tummy in the end.

Get a treat bucket or treat call worked out - saves so much hassle. Less time put into chasing chooks when you make them come to you.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

so the fat chickens that need exercise have been stuck in a small place where they can’t exercise?


nothing. they don’t speak english.

That is plenty of space for 2 hens

 

[NatJ]

They don’t like me very much, so I can chase them all over the yard, when they are moving better, to get them some exercise. Wouldn’t hurt me either!

If they are actually scared and running fast, that might be bad for them.

But I've had plenty of chickens who just like plenty of personal space-- when I walk close to them, they walk away a bit. If that's how yours act, you can probably get them to walk all over the yard without too much stress for you or them I agree that could be a good way to them exercise. (Although carrying a container of food and having them chase you would probably work just as well.)

 

[21hens-incharge]

I prefer they exercise in a non stressful way....like digging in the new dirt or following me around.

The running "from" sounds like scared while running "to" sounds much healthier and less stressful.

 

[ChickenLeg]

No chasing required, just pick them from the roost at night.

If they get out you gotta get them sooner than later, if you wait til night youll need a 30 foot ladder to get them outta thier roost in the trees

 

[ChickenLeg]

Nope.. I come bearing treats in a corner for my one 'no touchy' girl. She's getting better about not spooking or staying away when I'm near, but still does not like to be touched.

Better and easier to use treat motivation to your advantage. Mix it up and don't offer them treats every time too. In psychological studies, this sort of random reward training actually gives better results than a treat every time. - it's why gambling is so effective.

If there's the possibility of a treat, they'll put more effort in, even if they strut away with an empty tummy in the end.

Get a treat bucket or treat call worked out - saves so much hassle. Less time put into chasing chooks when you make them come to you.

Sounds like a good idea on a smaller operation If I have to chase a chicken its because they got outta their breeding pens or chicken tractors when feeding or watering lol you always have one escapy

 

[bruceha2000]

That sucks. What am I going to tell the adorable things when they swarm me and jump up and down for treats??

Same as kids "this hurts me more than it hurts you"

I would strongly advise against this, as they might get a stress-induced heart attack.

As might the chicken exerciser!

 

[Ponypoor]

Nope.. I come bearing treats in a corner for my one 'no touchy' girl. She's getting better about not spooking or staying away when I'm near, but still does not like to be touched.

Better and easier to use treat motivation to your advantage. Mix it up and don't offer them treats every time too. In psychological studies, this sort of random reward training actually gives better results than a treat every time. - it's why gambling is so effective.

If there's the possibility of a treat, they'll put more effort in, even if they strut away with an empty tummy in the end.

Get a treat bucket or treat call worked out - saves so much hassle. Less time put into chasing chooks when you make them come to you.

....but chasing chickens from the bottom of the paddock back to the barn is such good exercise! My crew won't even come for treats when the great outdoors is theirs to explore haha!

I guess fallen leaves and worms are more thrilling!

 

[topochico225]

This is my “fat” girl, Dionne Warwick. She looks fatter in person, but she’s got the ideal keel and is a healthy weight— she’s just a Rhode Island Red. She actually weighs less than my Red Star.