Help luring chickens to new coop

Sweet_Melissa

In the Brooder
Oct 9, 2018
7
24
19
Hello!

In June I adopted 3 four week old chickens. I set them up in a small coop and they enjoyed hanging out in my fenced in yard then returning to the coop to roost. Soon, they figured out how to get out of my fenced in yard but still returned to the coop at night to roost. I would lock them in every night to keep them safe. They got much bigger than I anticipated though and they eventually stopped returning to the coop at night and started roosting in a small tree right next to my house. They even stopped returning to the coop for food and water.

They've now been doing this for about a month.

Over the weekend I got a new, larger coop. I set it up inside the fence close to the tree they like to roost in. I loaded it with yummy veggies, their regular food, and water. I have yet to see them come back inside the fence to even check out the food around the coop let alone go in the coop. They are still roosting in the tree at night.

I'm considering cutting the branch where they roost down or putting something there to deter them from going in but I'm afraid they'll go some where else and I won't be able to find them. I'm also considering scooping them out of the tree at night but the rooster isn't terribly friendly and I don't really want my eyes pecked out. Does anyone else have any experience with this or are able to provide me with some tips. I live in PA and want to get them situated in the coop before the leaves fall from that tree and it starts to get cold and snowy out.

Thank you!
 
Thanks for the quick response!

I am pretty intimidated by the rooster. He's a big dude. What if I throw a big sheet over them?

The branch they roost in is above my head so I'm also worried about being able to reach them.

*sigh* These chickens make me tired.
 
Locking them in for a few days is definitely the way to go.

Do you have access to a fishing net? Maybe you can use that to net the roo at least. They must come down from the tree at some point, so you could try and grab them then.

Are the hens tame to you at all? I guess I take it for granted that chickens will just come to you...
 
My chickens are hard to catch. I don't hold them or want to. I just like to watch them.

Wear a bulky sweatshirt, and take a towel, with your hands at each of the long ends. Flip the middle over his head reaching with your hand for his body. Once you reach for him, do hang on and he should calm down quickly.

If the tree branch is above your head, do use a 5 foot fish net. Lay the net over the top of him and then scoop and pull towards the ground, if you drop the net and the bird, step on the handle, and you should have him. Just wrap him snuggly in the net while you carry him to the coop. Then go back for the hen.

Good luck.
Mrs K
 
I am pretty intimidated by the rooster. He's a big dude. What if I throw a big sheet over them?
The branch they roost in is above my head so I'm also worried about being able to reach them.
Don't think a sheet will work... they'll bolt as soon as they are alarmed, BTDT.
A long handled fishing net would be much better.

They even stopped returning to the coop for food and water.
Where are they eating and drinking?
Do you have a run with this new coop?


Had a stray hen here once, I missed trying to grab her off her tree branch twice.
Then spent a week luring her with a chick feeder into a wire crate that was rigged with a thin wire to close the door. I just kept moving the feeder closer and closer to the crate until it was inside.
Had a stray cock/erel too, luckily he roosted in a low and open enough place to grab, wrapped my hands around his body to hold his wings down, but man did he freak out had to really hold on tight.
 
Congrats on becoming a member of BYC (you won’t regret this) and becoming an ornery chicken owner (you won’t regret this either). :fl

Anyway, don't let these darn birds deter your determination. Press on and get them down and outta that tree. If you have a truck, or access to one, I would back it up underneath where they are roosting. Hopefully that will put you high enough to be able to grab the birds without having to use a net. Use a headlamp for your light, but don’t point it straight at them giving them light as well. They’re virtually blind at night. You just want enough light to see what you’re doing. As long as you secure their wings they won’t give you any problem, really!

Provided your coop and run are large enough, I would be tempted to keep them secured for a week or so. And during that time I would get them accustomed to “coming when called.” Treats are not good to overindulge your birds with, but they are PERFECT to use when training them to come to you. Just use a plastic container and put a little scratch, black oil sunflower seeds (BOSS), or whatever in it. When you want them to come, shake the devil out of that container, making the contents rattle, calling them all the while. I don’t think it really matters what or how you call them, just get their attention. When they get to you give them some of the treats. Believe me, it won’t take long and then they will know when you call they better get there and get there fast. You don’t have to give out much because the ones that actually get some of the treat will definitely let the ones that didn’t get any know what they missed. If you do this a couple times each day of their confinement, they will all get some and learn, very quickly. I promise you one thing, they will quickly come running/flying your way the next time you call them.

Good luck and have fun.
 

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