Letting chickens know where "home" is

[User395221]

usually they make loud clucks as if to let me know they want to get out and they try to open the door themselves.

I don't know what mine do, because I shut the door, and I walk away. Do you interact with them when they are "carrying on"? Do you say or do anything? If they are getting any further interaction from you, they'll continue to do it. If they try to open the door and it doesn't open, they'll eventually get the message that a shut door means a shut door and they'll settle. When I go to open the door in the morning, nobody's hammering on the door trying to get out, they are just 'hanging about' in there....

Don't be anxious about what they do or think. Just be matter-of-fact, stick em in there, say "bye-bye, have fun girls!" and leave.

As for treats, I don't think it matters. If I have it and I throw it, they run for it. Some normal pellets, some grain mix, whatever. I serve their "salad" at home time. I just chuck it in, they go in after it, I shut the door and say "night-night" and off I go.

Don't worry what they think, just be assertive and do what you want. They'll do it too. If they don't go in after the treats at first, pick them up and chuck em in and go "good girl!". They'll get the hang of it eventually. Whenever I want them to follow, I go "chook chook chook", they get whatever I throw for them. They'll learn that "chook chook chook" (or whatever you choose to say) means "follow and you get stuff". Just do it the same way you decide and they'll learn it.

 

[aimeemarie01]

I don't know what mine do, because I shut the door, and I walk away.  Do you interact with them when they are "carrying on"?  Do you say or do anything?  If they are getting any further interaction from you, they'll continue to do it.  If they try to open the door and it doesn't open, they'll eventually get the message that a shut door means a shut door and they'll settle.  When I go to open the door in the morning, nobody's hammering on the door trying to get out, they are just 'hanging about' in there.... 

Thank you! That sounds very realistic for my chickens. I'll try that tomorrow

 

[AuntNomi]

When I need mine to go in during the day I get some dry feed in the feed bucket and shake it, they are already running to me as they hear the shed door go up. So as I shake it and head for the coops they are already beating me in the door to the coop. It didn't take mine anytime to catch on to that. So maybe you might try that, if you dont have a scoop you can use a coffee can or a cup anything that it would make a little noise when shaking.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

When I need mine to go in during the day I get some dry feed in the feed bucket and shake it, they are already running to me as they hear the shed door go up. So as I shake it and head for the coops they are already beating me in the door to the coop. It didn't take mine anytime to catch on to that. So maybe you might try that, if you dont have a scoop you can use a coffee can or a cup anything that it would make a little noise when shaking.

The most effective feed to lead chickens around by their stomachs is old fashioned shelled whole corn kernels. They are easily found on the ground, you can both dribble or toss them, and shelled whole corn creates a nice sound when shaken in a tin can that can make your hens run over you to get at the goodies..