Help, Chickens gone Wild.!

[mirlin52]

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to round up my chickens and get them into their new coop and run? They have been "free ranging" for about one year and roost up in the avocado trees at night.They like going into their run to eat but lay their eggs in various other places and will not use the nest boxes in the coop.

 

[hxgumdrop]

tempt them in with their favorite treats. you could try putting fake eggs into the nest boxs to encorage them or leaving them in the coop/run until they have laid then let them out to free range, i had to do this with mine as they used to escape into next door and lay their eggs there!

 

[Blammmo]

I would lock them in the coop for a few days if it's large enough, that way their brains will reset to the new roost spot since they tend to roost in the same exact spot every evening, I use one golf ball in each nest box to encourage my new hens to use the boxes, they just can't resist laying next to another egg!

 

[Sean O]

In a similar situation. Trying to train my hens to use their boxes. Never thought about a golf ball. I am going to try that tonight and put a few in the nest. Thanks for the idea.

 

[hxgumdrop]

ping pong balls do the same trick, iv used them with my broodies to make sure they stay broody until their eggs or chicks arrive. or the inside of a kinder egg. anything small and round really lol