Help!!! I recently put 21 leghorns in there coop outside in the brooder box still. I was in the process of making a coop and run, and now they are on the loose. Can anyone give some advice. Thanks.
Dave
Leghorns are naturally flighty birds. It doesn't have anything to do with holding them or not. We own just one and that's enough! When she gets loose, it's an all out chase to catch her and my son spends several hours a day holding her.
I would try to put the feeder out to where they can come to it. Catch them once they get interested in the food. We usually scoop ours up in twos or threes. If that doesn't work try leaving the coop/run door open. They will naturally want to return to the coop once it gets to be dusk. Then if that doesn't work (
) wait until dark and you will find them huddled all together and then it is really easy to catch them. They don't usually want to run around when it gets to be their bedtime. We've had to do this before! Hang in there and report back once you get them all locked up nice and tight for the night.
I just went back out after all the commotion has calmed down and got 12 in the coop secure, I am hoping the rest find their way to the door soon. I am new to this whole chicken farmer thing and this forum has been a great deal of help so far. I would have to say that I should have looked here before I got these leghorns because they are very very skittish. I will post back in a bit.
Well everyone was right, once it gets a little dark things start calming down. All of the birds made it back in safe and sound just in time. Now they are all cuddled together in the corner. Thanks everyone.