I'm kinda scared of my chickens!

[shutt1234]

My babies are about 16 weeks or so. They are in a coop that my husband built. I can't really let them out because our dog is out for blood when it comes to any type of bird. They have a run underneath thier coop surrounded in chicken wire. I haven't really let them out of thier much, but I feed and water them. Sometimes I'll dig up worms for them. I haven't had too much physical contact with them outside of the fence. I talk to them though. I'm just nervous to let them out. How would I get them back in? Will they peck me to death? LOL sorry if that sounds silly, but I really am concerned. We would have to lock up my dog in the garage so I can let them out. Another concern is that I have a low fence so I'm scared of them flying into my neighbor's yard. Thanks!

 

[farmin'chick]

I'd start by feeding them treats by hand -- so that they expected FOOD when they saw me, and then they want to come to me. I'd do that BEFORE I let them out. Also, once they've been in for a week or so, they usually recognize home and want to go back in at night, although I don't know about putting them up early.

You'll get more comfortable with them the more time you spend with them!

 

[juliechick]

If you really want to let them out, I would start by doing it about 30 -45 minutes before dark. Then they will go back in on their own to roost.

I also use a treat that mine really love, like a piece of bread, to lure them back inside. I have them so well trained now that they run back in just in anticipation of the treat.

 

[greathorse]

1. Make sure the dog is not an issue

2. Let the birds out any time you like, they will likely not come out the first time anyway.

3. When they do come out they will go about ten feet from home.

4. At the first sign of trouble they will dash back in

5. They will go back to their roost at dusk.

6. All of this happens most of the time and when it doesnt you will learn to "deal"

Good luck

 

[Renee]

They won't peck you to death. They don't usually peck people at all, but young chickens sometimes peck at painted toenails. And of course, as with any animal, if you pick them up make sure they can't peck your eyes. All birds can mistake eyes for tasty grapes.

I trained mine to go back into the coop by putting a little scratch in a cottage cheese container, and every day I when I went out to clean the coop I would yell "heeere chick- chick-chick- chickEN! and shake the container, then throw the scratch to them in their run.

Now, when I let them out and want them to go back into the coop before dark, I just get out the cottage cheese container with a little scratch and yell, and they all come running. I throw the scratch into the run and then shut the door.

 

[Rafter 7 Paint Horses]

Don't feel bad about being "kinda scared" of your chickens.
Until 6 1/2 years ago, I was terrified of any bird!
I had to feed, water, and help process chickens while I was growing up, but I never so much as touched a baby chick unless someone else picked it up and put it in my hands. I wasn't about to reach down to pick up a cute fluff ball...with all those other "killer" fluff balls walking around.
I'm serious...I was so scared, I wouldn't walk into a shed or barn with chickens roosting on the rafters, or into a pet store with exotic birds on perches! If anyone had ducks, chickens, geese, turkeys loose in their yards when I would drive up, I wouldn't get out of my vehicle.

Then I met my DH...and everything changed. I liked the colored eggs his EE hens laid, and I started to get braver and would go gather the eggs. They were free range, so I would find them everywhere. Mostly in the horse feeders, so I found those easy, since I fed the horses.
He bought me 7 EE chicks, went out with me every evening to sit and watch them, and would pick one up for me to hold. He was pretty patient with me...little did I know his diabolical plan!!! (To turn me into the "crazy chicken lady")
Soon I was fine with them running over my feet and sitting on my knee, but I almost lost it when I was bent over cleaning out a waterer when one flew up on my back!!! I almost made a new chicken door! Before I completely freaked out, I took deep breaths and stood up. The chick just walked up my back and stood on my shoulder. I put my hand under it's breast, and it stepped up on my hand and I put it back on the ground.
They still do that to me, and it still startles me, but I don't panic over it anymore, while I'm taking care of about 500 young chicks right now, and we will be starting up the incubators again pretty soon.


Here is my GD with a few youngsters from one pen, on their day to free range.

Jean

 

[louloubean]

our chickens range free all day.

as soon as i step out the back door, they all run to me and beg for treats.
i've never been pecked (ok, once while, offering my steady hand full of cracked corn, i got a mistake peck as they were trying to eat) nor has my three year old son, "the chicken shepard."

chickens are small too, remember, you ARE bigger than them, and they aren't really velocaraptors, even though they might look like them.

have fun!

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
That gave me a laugh, thanks! They do remind me of dinosaurs when they run. It's hilarious to watch a chicken run. (at least I think so, especially my light brahma)

OP: Tons of great advise here. If you spend time with them and watching them, they will grow on you quickly. And yes, if you feed them scratch, they might mistake your hand for food. Not because they are after you, but because they love scratch so much and they are so eager to gobble it all up before the other girl does.

Be sure to keep the dog and chickens apart. Lots of stories here of people losing LOTS of chickens to dog attacks.

 

[Happy Chooks]

And maybe your husband can go in with you, so you don't feel so intimidated by them.

 

[chookchick]

If your dog is that bad with chickens, you may want to avoid free-ranging altogether. There have been sooo many stories on here about people that tried to alternate chickens and dogs, and failed one time with awful results. I would build a large dog-proof (very important) run, put a folding chair by the door, take it in every evening with some treats and just "hang" with the chickens. Soon you will get to know their personalities, and feel more comfortable with them. A great way to unwind from the day!