Getting Chickens back in the pen

[stroisi]

We are new to chicken raising and loving every minute of it. Is there an easier way to get them back in the pen when they have been out wondering during the day?


Sharon

 

[chicmom]

The easiest thing to do, if you free range them like I do, is just wait until dusk. They normally go back to the coop/run on their own. Believe me, I've spent alot of time chasing chickens around and here I discovered they will do it when the time is right--just after sundown.

Try waiting and you will see!

 

[stroisi]

Thanks, I am just concerned about them being out all day - wondering around - getting lost or a fox getting them Do predators usually only come out at night?

 

[quinkerton]

Hard to say. All of my fox attacks took place between 6-7am. Hawk attacks can happen anytime during the day. But we have also been seeing many foxes out during the day lately. But if you let them free range just leave the gate open and they will return during the evening. I let mine free range for a long time and the only attackes I had were while they were in their fenced in area. Go figure! They actually are probably safer free ranging as they can get into the saftey of a tree or brush. It's a gamble either way. Don't get to attatched, that's my only advice.

 

[quinkerton]

I'm sorry, that sounded terrible! It's just after seven years of owning chickens you learn not to become to attached because they are so fragile. I love my chickens but you learn to love them as a group and not as a single. Your favorite one is always the target it seems!

 

[ranchhand]

Hi Sharon,

!

Predators do hunt during the day, year round. It's even more likely when they are raising their young. Free ranging is risky and only you can decide if you want to run the risk or not.

I used to free range a lot. Not so much now, I was losing too many birds. Hope it doesn't happen to you. My biggest problem was dogs running loose.

 

[dawg53]

I can get my chickens inside their pen anytime during the day by calling them. They know once they get in the pen that they'll get some treats....bribery heheheh!

 

[rocketdoctor]

Quote:
I lost 4 pullets in the middle of the day 3 of them when they were free ranging and another pulled from a run where I didn't have good enough protection. I suspect a fox I have seen them during the day but it also may have been a cat, something that could scale my yard fences, Im sure it wasn't hawks.


Even though the chickens come in at dusk sometimes you need to get them in the coop earlier when your not going to be around to lock them up. To remedy this I try to bring a special treat for the chickens at least once a day and sometimes hand feeding. Now when I go down to the coop they all come running in to see what I have, this way I can close the run door earlier if needed.

Regarding Treats, I find my chickens just love grits, I cook up a big pot in the moring and let it cool, when it gets firmer they come and eat it out of my hand. I also like to give them lots of old lettuce. This time of year we get lots of those overgrown zuchinnis from our friends Gardens, what I can't eat I will shred and the chickens go crazy over that stuff.

 

[grendel]

just feed them in there pens later in the day or when you want them to return.

 

[chicknewbie]

I get my birds back in the pen any time by calling out TREAT and heading to the pen. They have learned that means something good like yogurt, oatmeal, or sunflower seeds. It is fun to see them come running. Quite a crack up! Have fun.