Intro from Oregon

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beginnergirl

beginnergirl

Songster
May 25, 2015
350
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Pacific Nortwest
I am completely new to the world of chickens and am looking forward to learning from this group. I am trying to figure out what is important in a coop. I have 3 5-6 week old chicks currently in an extra large dog kennel indoors. They go outdoors for a few hours when it is warm. Hope to get the coop built SOON!!!

I also have a large dog and very old cat who I hope will coexist with the chickens. My dog has no prey drive and doesn't chase squirrels or cats. So he will be on a leash around the chickens until I am comfortable or in a separate yard. The cat has been purring around the chickens. They have pecked him on the nose through the crate and are curious. I have so much to learn!

I am training them to come and hop or fly onto my arm for treats. They are always hungry but I wonder if they will come outdoors. Any members training chickens? Two of mine know what "up" means. The barred rock not so much.
 
Alright
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great to have you joining the BYC flock
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Chickens are very trainable but watch out they don't train you ....

Yes they will most defiantly fly up on you if you let them so here try a funny let them out of their cage as they are at the correct age and you go play on the computer in the evening around roosting time and see how long it takes for them to get up on your shoulders to roost .....

Oh you will find a couple of them on your shoulder's will worm ya right up very quickly
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gander007
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My friend has 4 house chickens (bantams) and right away she taught them "OUT" and they wait by the door for her to open it. When it's time to come in she tells them "UP" and they hop up a couple steps to the stoop. They wait inside by the front door when she goes away. When she gets home they are waiting by the door and mob her.

I think they can learn if it benefits them in some way.
 
Hello!
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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. :frow
I have trained mine to come to a whistle. They can be way out in the yard, but at a whistle, they all come flapping, hopping and running. I have a video but can't figure out how to post it. Very funny. My secret training treat.....bread. :lau
 
Hi, welcome to BYC!

When I'm out working in the garden, I let our girls out of their run a couple times a day to take advantage of some extra roaming space. When I'm ready to go back to the house, I shake a plastic jar of sunflower seed and tell them to go "inside". They've learned they'll get the seed once they are back in the run. Every once in a while one of them seems to "forget" where the run door is and will tear back & forth along the run fence fussing because she's missing out and I'll have to remind her where the run door is, lol.

Enjoy your new flock and if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Nice having you join us!
 
Thanks, everyone for the suggestions. Being so new to this, I have a few questions. I have a barred rock, Ameraucana sp
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and a Silver Lace Wyandotte. Most of my fence is 6' high but there are a few 4' high sections behind 12' arborvitae. And a short 4' high chain link gate. Can they fly into a dense thicket to get to the neighbor's yard? There aren't any visible perches. Can they fly over a 4' high fence?

Also, can 5-6 week chicks eat too much grass and veggies? My girls love them. And yes they are training me to bring then treats as they act like they are always hungry. Usually they have to hop on my hand to get a treat or run to me. They always have crumbles but seem "starved" for other treats. They love oatmeal and cooked sweet potatoes. Good to know about sunflower seeds! Just do t want to mess up their digestion. I mix a little grit with their crumbles. Thanks for the warm welcome!
 
NickyKnack,

Yes in the house I've tried getting them back in their xlarge dog kennel with treats. But several times two can't find the door to get the treats and run back and forth wanting IN. They are so funny, I hardly watch TV anymore!!!
 
beginnergirl said:
Thanks, everyone for the suggestions. Being so new to this, I have a few questions. I have a barred rock, Ameraucana sp and a Silver Lace Wyandotte. Most of my fence is 6' high but there are a few 4' high sections behind 12' arborvitae. And a short 4' high chain link gate. Can they fly into a dense thicket to get to the neighbor's yard? There aren't any visible perches. Can they fly over a 4' high fence?

Also, can 5-6 week chicks eat too much grass and veggies? My girls love them. And yes they are training me to bring then treats as they act like they are always hungry. Usually they have to hop on my hand to get a treat or run to me. They always have crumbles but seem "starved" for other treats. They love oatmeal and cooked sweet potatoes. Good to know about sunflower seeds! Just do t want to mess up their digestion. I mix a little grit with their crumbles. Thanks for the warm welcome!
Click to expand...
Yep, they can fly over a 4' fence. I think a lot of non-chicken owners are surprised that chickens can fly at all but they can.

Be careful with the grass. I've read that if it's too long it can get stuck in their crop.

You might like to see this handy treat chart, I've referred to it a lot. It lists some things that are good and not so good for them to have:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/chicken-treat-chart-the-best-treats-for-backyard-chickens
 

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