How do you catch a chicken?

[dragonlair]

I use a few methods depending on which hens:

fish net works wonderfully

My English Setter will slowly chase the bird into a corner and then stand there and point at it until i come and get it.

I will put food down in the pen and then oepn the door up a little and they usually run right in. When they don't, either the dogs helps out or I grab the fish net.

 

[chickenteacher2]

I use a few methods depending on which hens:

fish net works wonderfully

My English Setter will slowly chase the bird into a corner and then stand there and point at it until i come and get it.

I will put food down in the pen and then oepn the door up a little and they usually run right in. When they don't, either the dogs helps out or I grab the fish net.

Nice!!!! My Jack Russells have NO self control. Those chickens would be dinner before I could do anything.

 

[KristinLLB]

2 of my girls let me catch them no problem. The 3rd is the smallest and the silliest, and won't be caught or bribed. Hubs and I usually have to trick her into the run with the other girls by herding her. I suspect she also is the one that doesn't lay, so this is frustrating.

 

[LittleBits]

I was wondering how everyone does it. They sure are slippery. One actually climbed up my head and jumped over me....

 

[SymanSaysFarms]

If they run out and I have to leave the house and need them in the coop/run, I get their treat scooper and put some BOSS in it, walk into the run and shake it. It works EVERY time! They will come running at full speed from across the farm when they hear the "treat-shake".

 

[Wrooster]

"How do you catch a chicken?" You can't unless it's inside the pen, wants to be caught or is asleep. At least I can't and I know better than to try. Herding works.

We have several large old window screens. We prop some up to make a funnel toward the door of the run and then get on the other side of the chicken. Only takes a few minutes. Or just wait until dark. It will be sleeping as close as it can get to the coop.

 

[Chicks Galore3]

Mine come when called. Get them used to you, associate yourself with a treat, and they'll come every time. Or you will get lucky and they'll crouch.

 

[7 Biddies]

if she knows her way back to the coop I use the hose.....I don't spray them directly but will spray near them to "guide" them where I want them to go and it works really well.

Hey. Love this one.

If catching them in the run or hen house, I used a dish towel to keep their wings down so they don't flap and get injured. If they escape (or, elope), I close the pop door to the hen house, to keep the others in the run, open the door to the hen house and, with the help of my shepherding cat, herd them towards the hen house. When they see the door open, they usually go in seeking safety. For the better trained girls, I just shake a bag of freeze dried meal worms and they'll follow me anywhere!

 

[7 Biddies]

I just did a search for Chicken Catching Hook and found several, all looking pretty much the same, but the prices - Boy, HOWDY, were they all different!

Cutler Supply online has 'em "Chicken Hook" for only $7.95. Not bad. Shipping may bump that up a bit, though...

Just thought I'd share the info for the "manufacturing challenged" like me.

That's the kind I have. The girls HATE the chicken stick! If I remember correctly, you might be able to get it though Amazon.com with a possibility of free shipping.