Help! All my babies escaped!

[Stormyweather]

We just got 7 babies from my neighbor TODAY and I accidentally didn’t latch the coop all the way and they all got out!! I was able to get two back. Three more have stayed close but I just cannot catch them. What can I do?? Will I be able to get them when it’s dark? I’m not even sure they know where home is.... any advice is appreciated!!

 

[Cyprus]

Set out feed and water just inside the entrance of something you can close them into. When they go in, shut the door. As for the other two.... I'm out of ideas.

 

[feathermaid]

How much longer before it starts getting dark where you are?
How old are the chicks?

My chicks have never had a heat lamp, just natural light (and a heating pad). I know every evening they start peeping really loud... it's like they know bedtime is coming up. You could try to listen for loud chirps and try locate the missing ones that way.

I've also been letting my chicks outside since they were a week old. They usually run over to the bushes and low plants and like to hide and rummage through the dirt. You could try to just walk around and fluff the shrubbery or grasses with your hands and see what pops out. And listen for the peeping.

I haven't had much luck "bribing" little chicks to come to me with food or treats. Being outside is way too interesting I guess. Do you have a fishing net? You could try to catch them that way maybe too.

 

[LizStreithorst]

When mine escaped I used a 12" net for tropical fish. I bet a 8 inch one would work if you have a pet store still open

 

[Stormyweather]

I’ve tried to net them several times they are just too fast!! They are about 8 weeks old so not really little tiny babies anymore. I can see 6 of them just have no way to get them in as the second I go near them they run out of the fence into the woods. The fence holes are big enough for them to go through- I haven’t put my baby fence up yet because I thought I had time while they were locked up for a few
More weeks!! It’s just now dusk and barely enough light to see... I hope when I go back out they don’t run. The big girls are going to bed now so maybe the little ones will settle???

 

[aart]

Did ya get them back @Stormyweather ???

 

[Stormyweather]

Yes!!! We went out several times after dark and got one after another, painstakingly searching in the dark with a red light. It took forever and even in the dark the kept bolting if they got too awake. Got 6 out of 7 and my neighbor found the 7th today so all are home and snuggled safe in the coop. Lesson learned!! Thank you all for your advice and support, as always BYC is the best.