I'm new and I found a chicken

[bobchicken]

Hi all, I'm new to this forum. A couple days ago, I found a chicken in my neighborhood in a bush. It's name is Bob, but it's a girl. I've been feeding it, and so has another person. We have been wanting to catch it and make a coop for it, but I'm not sure how to go about it. It's pretty friendly, but it doesn't like being pet. I've only touched it once.

I've dealt with chickens before, I was in 4-H and raised a couple chickens last year. I also worked with bantam chickens, but they were all used to being handled. Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[21hens-incharge]

If you can find where it is sleeping that is the best time to grab it. They are almost catatonic when sleeping so wont be likely to see you coming.

I would sneak up while it is asleep and have a carrier ready for when it does start to flap. Grab and stick in the carrier to avoid a wing to the eye.

It may take some time to figure out the sleeping spot it has chosen.

I wish you luck in the capture of the hen.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Hi

Glad you could join the flock! I agree that the best time would be night to catch this girl up. Have you checked out the learning centre? Lots of great articles there that would help you look after this girl. Here is the link ~ https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

Wishing you the very best of luck with her in the future. If you do catch and keep her I'm sure she would really benefit from a friend. They are social creatures and like company of their own kind.
Be sure to ask any questions that you may have, everyone here to help and very friendly.

Enjoy BYC and all the chicken chat

 

[drumstick diva]

You could also throw a net or sheet over the sleeping bird, so you can safely move her to some restricted place. Then you can make attempts to win her over and tame her without her escaping. Are you sure she is a hen?

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. I wish you the best of luck with the chicken - you have some good advice already.

All the best
CT

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[NickyKnack]

Hello!

Welcome to BYC and the coop! There's a lot of great peeps here! Feel free to ask lots of questions. But most of all, make yourself at home. I'm so glad you decided to join the BYC family. I look forward to seeing you around BYC.

 

[bobchicken]

Yes, I'm sure she's a hen. Like I said, I raised a few chickens before, and I had to sort males from females. She sleeps on top of a wall about 7 or so feet high, so I can't reach her. Even if I climbed on top, someones backyard is on the other side of the wall, so I don't think climbing up there at night is the best idea.

 

[21hens-incharge]

She wont like it but if you can get a fishing net with you can net her. It wont hurt her as long as you grab her once she is netted. I would keep her in the net until I had her inside a structure. She will flap and scream like something bad is happening of course. She does not know you are trying to help her.

I have some flighty birds that if I have to get ahold of them during the day I have to net them. It is effective.

If you do not have a fishing net perhaps you can borrow one or attach a long pillow case to a hoop (hula or one made from PVC) should work.
I do not think at 7 foot up that you would even need a handle on it.
Do it like in the animal shows and give it a twist once she is in there so she cannot simply fly out of it.

Best wishes
Barbara