Getting chicks to come back to you

[BelindasHens]

Hi folks,

New to this forum. I have three 3 1/2 week old chicks. Two Sussex and one ancona, they are happy to be cuddled and sit in my lap but I’ve been letting them go outside in the warm sun of a morning whilst I clean their brooder. I’m having difficulty getting them to come back they are so curious and keen to explore. They go under my deck of which I can get them out but I’d prefer they come back voluntarily.

Any food that you think would help? So far they’re only having chick starter crumble, some tomato and grapes and whatever they find when they free range. They couldn’t care less about dried mealworms (but my dog did!! Ate them all and licked the box clean ).

Thanks,
Belinda.

 

[CatsandCrops]

Not sure if this will work because I don't free range (waaaay too many hawks in our area - just a large run) but I have trays that I use for their fermented food; whenever they see me with those trays they come RUNNING, even if I am just picking them up to take inside. Maybe if they start to associate something like that with treats/food, they will come?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Mine are trained to a yellow feed scoop. That scoop means treats and everyone stops what they are doing to come running.
That said mine are adults and it took time to train them.

The wet feed I give in the morning is seen as a treat too. For chicks I would use that. Just pick a container that is colored and always use that container. It only took mine a couple weeks to learn it when young.

I can move 20 hens into the run quickly mid day this way. I have to do that when the big hawks show up.....which they do EVERY stinkin time mine are out.