How do I lure a chick out?

[IamHappy]

I took my chicks outside for the first time today (they're 11 days old). All went well until I started to put them in a box to bring them back inside. I had the gate to the little pen open and as I was reaching in to pick them up and put them in the box one of them got out. She ran under a big pile of sticks we have in the yard and she won't come out. I can see her and she seems ok (just a little scared) but I can't reach her. My attempts to move the sticks only make her go farther into the pile.

So, how do I lure her out?

I tried putting the the box with the other chicks near the pile thinking she might come out and try to get back with her buddies. No dice. I tried putting some of her food out. I tried putting some water out. I tried just sitting and waiting. She won't budge. Any ideas?

 

[chicken+quail=luv]

Hmm. Sounds like a toughie.

Do you have any mealworms? She might come out if you find a worm or a grub. Those were my chick's favorite snack. I was going to suggest showing her her buddies again, but it seems as though you already tried that...

Could you remove the sticks from the back? Could you remove the stick pile all together? If theres a hole at the back, maybe you can try spritzing some water on her butt? ( not too much, just 1 or 2 sprays' ) I don't know, just some suggestions.

 

[Makenziejh]

I would keep trying to move the sticks, soon she wont have anywhere else to go than to u. u cant let her stay there. Chicks can only go so long with out food.

 

[Serrin]

Eventually she will get over her bad case of the frights, and come out. The quieter you can keep the area around the stick pile, the faster she's going to settle down and not feel threatened. Your best bet is to do what you're already doing. Stay close by quietly, and keep her flock mates in the box near the stick pile as well. Chickens are highly social creatures. They do NOT like being alone! Especially not when they're this young. You'll have to count on her basic instincts to want to flock together with her own kind, as well as her instincts for food and water. Eventually those will win out over her being frightened. I just hope for your sake as well as hers that this happens BEFORE sunset! But, hearing the other chicks peeping will probably be enough to entice her back out of there. Just keep your eyes open for your opportunity to grab her quickly!

 

[bantybev]

Is there any way you can poke a stick through the brush pile behind her and nudge her out, or gently push her in the direction you want her to go? Or maybe, go to the other side of the pile and have someone on the side you want her to come out to grab her and shake the pile from behind her? Gosh, I really don't know any other suggestions. Maybe offer bread or some other tasty looking treat. They seem to like the color red, maybe a tomato wedge or apple?
Good luck getting her coaxed out. I would be frantic.

 

[Tala]

Mine always get over their fears when I leave. They have short attention spans, so she'll see something "hey what's that??" and forget about being scared.
I suggest leaving the area, (and leave the box with the chicks too, so she will go towards them) and if she comes out the first thing you would want to do is figure out a way to prevent her from getting stuck again (block off the woodpile), before you start chasing her.

 

[Carenm]

What always works for me is to hold some fresh cooked egg in front of them. They follow like zombies

 

[IamHappy]

We got her! She seems to be ok, just a little dirty. She's back with her buddies now.

 

[chicken+quail=luv]

Oh, goodie!

 

[Serrin]

Whew!!

Glad you got her back in before the sun went down!