Free all you can catch...

[SnoozeRooster]

So I told the lady I'd be there at 6 pm to catch the chickens, many chickens, many with chicks. We drove 2 hours and I entered the roost after dark after we were lost a couple hours. Turns out only 3 old hens and a young rooster actually use the roost. When I was a kid and it was 'time' to catch some chickens that's how we did it. Anyway, the rest of the chickens were in the trees, they flew and all I got was pine sap. Went back next day and she'd throw corn and I'd fish net...nice visit, nice lady, glad we went....4 more hens and 7 chicks after ALL DAY long. Could've easily bought not free chickens for the gas money. Anyway, when I put them in the coop, my kids and I took chicks first and fed them some, relatively rather tame and all. Then we brought the 'wild bunch' to include the two mothers and looks like their sister and the young white psycho leghorn rooster. That's my newest chicken venture and the question is: I wonder if I should just eat all the big wildish chickens and start the chicks fresh as docile? I'm afraid even after a week in the coop, if I let them all out they'll stay rather wild and I'll loose my shot at taming the chicks. All but the rooster and 2 young hens will come skittishly within reach if we sit with them while feed, but all will run if you actually reach toward them. Should I try to tame them all somehow or just concentrate on the sure shot chicks? Oh, hi everyone, I'm new.

 

[CochinBrahmaLover]

I'd cull the wildest ones, then focus on the chicks and moms, and I'd suggest keep them in a run with a covered top until your sure they can free range (if you want to)

 

[MnMPoultry]

It really depends on where you live and what you want from your flock.

 

[SnoozeRooster]

Thanks! I'm sure you're right, I just hate to do it. I got a turken, 3 huge silver laced wyandottes, the rooster, and three smaller white hens with black speckled heads and black tails. They might be 'banties' but the banties we had as a kid we're only half the size of these. Unless anyone else has an idea to tame them I guess I'll have to heat the pluck pot sooner than I wanted. ???

 

[SnoozeRooster]

MnM, I want some eggs, large chickens who free range and meat. I also want a mixture of breeds to enjoy colorations. But I guess most relatively, I want rather tame chickens who free range and come into the coop at night for me to lock them up from predators. That's how we did it when I was a kid. I just never started with wild chickens.

 

[CochinBrahmaLover]

Taming = Toss them treats each day , each time throwing it a little closer until they'll eat out of your hand. Then work on being able to touch them while they're on the roost and they wont freak out.

Killing = You don't have to, but if ones super crazy and you can't tame it then you can. You can just chop off the head and then pluck it, and cut off the peices of meat you want or leave it whole and gut it.

 

[SnoozeRooster]

I have an update on this situation. I just left them all in the pen from the time I first posted until today. Sat in there with them some during feeding. Kids, too. This morning I just left the door open. After about half an hour, I went back out and the rooster and his son the little rooster were out. I threw some corn and they were fine, then I nudged'em around the corner to show'em how to get back in. Came out half an hour later and a 'wild' hen was out. Right by the coop as well. I came back a couple hours later and all were out but close and some back and forth into the coop. Couple hours later all were about 40 feet down the hill, scratching away and having a blast. They all were in the coop when I went out at dusk and shut the door....SUCCESS. I guess I just brain washed them all for a month. Thanks everyone.

 

[phieaglefan]

Congrats!

We had some Guineas prior to having chickens. When we got the chickens, I was amazed at how 'domesticated' they were, compared to the chickens. The Guineas I'd have to chase around for 45 minutes at dusk to get them in their coop. The chickens put them selves up and never wander too far. It's like they are meant to be kept and not wild. I still have one Guinea, I raised him from a baby and he still hisses at me and squawks at me. The chickens let me pick them up (well, sometimes) and a few will eat from my hand.

Good job!
H