How do you catch your chickens?

[Fred's Hens]

This is a Textronic model, but I just make my own. Always have. My grandmother taught me how to make/use one in the late 1950's. Some birds just sort of require their use.

 

[Marthab1953]

This is a Textronic model, but I just make my own. Always have. My grandmother taught me how to make/use one in the late 1950's. Some birds just sort of require their use.

Yep that is what the hook looked like. And the net I bought at a bird supply store here where I live.

 

[JumpingRightIn]

I tried fashioning one of those with a wire coat hanger. My attempts were not successful. I'm sure it was either my design or my technique, lol. I may just have to buy a pool skimmer and give that a try.

 

[PAchickengirl]

We usually have to corral them into the coop to catch them, save for one or two of the calmer ones. It takes two people to get them I the coop if the aret willing, there is usually one that waits by the door then bolts when yo go to close it!

 

[triplepurpose]

This is a Textronic model, but I just make my own. Always have. My grandmother taught me how to make/use one in the late 1950's. Some birds just sort of require their use.

Hey Fred, any secret tips on how to make or use these? I've tried before but I had a hard time getting the hook the right shape or size, it seemed, or maybe I wasn't using it right--since either it seemed too snug to get on or the foot would just slide out. Also the chickens seemed terrified of it and would just jump over it, yanking their feet out of the way, essentially playing jump-rope with the hook. I found it hard to be precise enough to snag them with a long handle, and using a short handle wasn't much more effective than just reaching out and grabbing a leg with my hand. So any of your grandmother's old secrets would be really welcome, haha! Thanks!

 

[Marthab1953]

I tried fashioning one of those with a wire coat hanger. My attempts were not successful. I'm sure it was either my design or my technique, lol. I may just have to buy a pool skimmer and give that a try.

The wire coat hangers are not sturdy enough, need something a lot stronger.

 

[triplepurpose]

BTW to the OP: I use a large fish landing net to catch birds. You still have to get pretty close but it's easier than grabbing by hand and if you practice it you can develop a sort of wrist flick action that works pretty well and nabbing them. The ideal way is grabbing them off the roost at night, which is less work and less stressful, but obviously not always convenient.

 

[dsfrango]

Rather than chasing and netting you should just handle them more often. If you have to many to provide enough attention to each just pick a couple favorites. If they are pets then they SHOULD be friendly. Chasing them is only enforcing the scared running behavior. Hold them and walk around with them. If they flap turn them upside down for a sec but keep hold. After they relax after like 15 min try setting them down. If they flap and try to run dont let them go. Hold them a bit longer. If they walk calmly then youve made progress. Use snacks like scratch grains, corn, mealworms etc. Eventually you will gain their trust after theyve eaten out of your hand. I have 27 chickens and the only ones that wont willingly allow me to pick them up are the Sumatras(More wild breed) but they will eat out of my hand allowing me to easily grab them. I have Sebrights, D'uccles, Polish, Cochin, RRI. They will all eat right out of my hand therefore I dont need to finagle with nets and hooks. Never even thought about doing it that way.

 

[chestypuller]

im not to good at it, but my daughter is some kinda chicken whisperer! shes only 3 but she runs up behind them and they squat to the ground and dont move then she scoops them up.. she used to catch them by their tail feathers and they would be flapping their wings like a kite ! maybe they figured its just less painful to squat and wait now... who knows.

 

[DianaMallory]

BTW to the OP: I use a large fish landing net to catch birds. You still have to get pretty close but it's easier than grabbing by hand and if you practice it you can develop a sort of wrist flick action that works pretty well and nabbing them. The ideal way is grabbing them off the roost at night, which is less work and less stressful, but obviously not always convenient.

That is what I do when all else fails! But my net has a real long handle on it. Have you tried sitting down and offering them a treat from your hand? All I have to do is put my open hand out and they come to check out what I have. But I have been doing this since they were hatched!