Maine

[quailtrail]

Tried the shaking oats and such but think I need corn and a metal bucket...

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Leave them locked inside the run for a few days until they learn where home is. Come in every day and shake your container with treats so they associate you with it. They'll learn to follow you. Once they go to bed at night by themselves, you can let them out. You may need to "chase" them back to show them where the gate is, they're that stupid, but they will want to go to bed at that point.

 

[quailtrail]

Much bettet tonight 2 in all by themselves and the 3rd went running in when she heard them squawking for treats lol!!!!

 

[chickery-do]

Sometimes I pick up a branch or something to make my arms look longer and that helps to herd them in!

 

[lazy gardener]

Seeking advice: Web type caterpillars on my peony. Would it be ok to clip those branches of the plant and throw them into the coop for the chickens to eat the caterpillars. I'm leaning to yes, unless someone tells me otherwise.

 

[CoopChick719]

I know you weren't asking me, but I thought I'd chime in. Salt will cause sores on chicken feet. It can also cause serious digestive issues. Even though towns are no longer suppose to add salt to their sand, most still do.

The gravel place near me offers "bank run" sand for just over $7 a square yard. I love the bank run because it is relatively small grains, but has variety. It has fine stuff for drainage and more course gravel which makes great natural grit. If you can store the extra or use it all, it's a great price.

Thank you MEMama3! I wasn't sure what the salt might do.

Tried the shaking oats and such but think I need corn and a metal bucket...

Mine usually come in when it's dark but I try to entice them in earlier with dinner. I tried shaking the treat can, calling them (heeeeeerrrre chickchickchickchick). I found banging the wooden spoon inside an empty feed bowl brought them running.

Sometimes I pick up a branch or something to make my arms look longer and that helps to herd them in!

LOL!! I have a couple of long branches for this purpose as well. DH & DS have both tried to throw them on the burn pile! The nerve of them!!

 

[quailtrail]

Thanks everyone! Will try the long stick again too. From the sounds of it I need to be louder as my bowl doesn't make more than a swooshing noise lol!!!

 

[CoopChick719]

Maybe we should get those triangle dinner bells!!

 

[CoopChick719]

Hi Ashandevine, Thought you might like to see the chicks and ask for guesses on gender. Here they are at 10 1/2 weeks. They hang close together. #1 is allowed up on the roost with the big girls, most of them time


#1 BCM Pullet?


#2 BCM Roo? This bird is bigger than the other BCM.


#3 Chantecler/Partridge Faverolle pullet? Top chick--pullet? Roo to the right? Or do I have it bassackwards?


Top right Roo or Pullet? The comb is much larger than the other BCMs.

 

[Paulajon]

I get my sand from a pit really fine grained , kinda like beach sand or fine sand has no salt or anything in it. My daughter works for a landscaping co. so we also haul in truck loads for the horse area around the barn ,helps with not having any mud and dries fast after a rain easy to rake a round and clean.