grabbing by the tail

[kefiren]

Hey all,
I've been chickens keeping a long time, and never grabbed a chicken by the tail. But, I have these two crazy hamburgs that want to roost ON TOP OF THE COOP. I don't want any chickens out all lnight, I've got predators.

I have a little ladder, but even when I'm on it, I can just barely, maybe, get a hold of a tail.

I tried that a few times, and it really wasn't that productive so I've dropped the idea, and actually I've sort of given up. They haven't been eaten yet. I'm hoping the colder weather will get them to seek out the sanctity of the coop. Hopefully.

But now, the chicken that I grabbed the tail feather of, well, it looks as though they have fallen out.

And she seems a bit off.

Have I harmed her? If so, does she need first aid? It is a few days since the event.

 

[Chickassan]

That shouldn't have harmed her in any way save for her pride. Iv'e pulled an entire tail off a broody hen by accident she wasn't happy about it but no damage was done.

 

[townchicks]

She may just be molting, too and you were able to pull them out because they were already loose. You might want to get a net for those two, I got one of those nets for landing fish, plenty of room to snag a hen with.

 

[rebrascora]

How old are they? At this time of year, any chicken over a year old will be moulting or getting ready to start, so if she is of that age, it may be that they were already getting loose and your tail pulling just brought things forward.
If mine do that and I can't reach them, I knock them off with a rake or pole.

 

[imnukensc]

Bend a coat hanger so it has a small open loop on one end. Catch'em by the foot.

 

[kefiren]

Thanks guys! I hope she is ok. She could be off also because she spent the night on the roof and it was 23 degrees. (duh!)

 

[rebrascora]

Moulting often makes them feel under the weather.

 

[MissChick@dee]

Just a thought why not take a broom and push them off the roof then pick them up?

 

[SueT]

I once had a guinea that was pretty wild. He got a rope or twine caught around his leg, and we were trying to catch him to remove it. As he ducked under a fence, I grabbed his tail, and all the feathers came out in my hand. Maybe it's an escape mechanism, like lizards who lose their tails when grabbed. We never saw him again. ) :

 

[kefiren]

Just a thought why not take a broom and push them off the roof then pick them up?

I've done that, it works, but seems to need to be done before dark, they don't like flying off in the dark.