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MOVING COOP WOES....HELP!

Discussion in 'Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures' started by Bettyboop7499, Jul 23, 2018.

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  1. Jul 23, 2018 Post #1 of 23
    Bettyboop7499

    Bettyboop7499 Songster

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    So, my hubby originally put our chicken coop near the house, so on my bad days it wouldn't be too much for me to let them out and feed them. This was great because I could also hear if something wasn't right. However, we have a large group of trees just on the other side of the coop which was great for the chickens for forging and on hot summer days BUT it is also great for predator to hide in wait! I lost two more! One of my Barred Rock hens and my Black Laced Wyandotte Rooster! :hit

    So DH suggested we move the coop down in the pasture away from the trees, they still have trees for shade (but no place for predators to hide) and lots of ground to forge on. The first night I excepted I would have to carry them down to the coop-to show them...well, that didn't go so well! I managed to corral all but my Sebright Rooster, Mr. Rooster. He flew on top of the house and wouldn't come down!:he That is where he stayed all night in the rain. Needless to say he was not happy with me the next morning! I fed them next to the coop as always and he came down to eat with the flock..And then last night around the time they head to the roost there they were huddled up next to the house-I hadn't succeeded in showing them where their home was moved! so AGAIN hubby and I corralled all but two, this time Mr. Rooster and Ms. Betty (1 of 4 Barred Rocks) they flew to the trees.:idunno This morning I AGAIN opened the coop and fed the chickens and Mr. Rooster & Betty came to eat with the flock-NEXT TO COOP!

    I just can not continue to corral the chickens by hand. Does anyone have experience in moving coops and know how I can get them to roost in their coop again? Is there a trick to it? I tried calling them, I threw down corn..nothing! Will they figure it out on their own? I have one hen laying and the others will start any day now so I really need them to understand where to go...
     
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  2. Jul 23, 2018 Post #2 of 23
    Redhead Rae

    Redhead Rae Chickens, chickens everywhere!

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    Chickens don't like change. When we move our chicken netting down the pasture, we usually have a night or two where we have to poke the chickens into their mobile coops. If you can catch them all, I would leave them penned up for 2-3 days so they realize that it is "home" again.
     
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  3. Jul 23, 2018 Post #3 of 23
    Shorty22366

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    I would keep them locked in for a couple days also.
    When I moved my coop that is what I did and they all come back to coop when it is time to roost
    Good luck
     
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  4. Jul 24, 2018 Post #4 of 23
    Bettyboop7499

    Bettyboop7499 Songster

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    What a disaster! So the chickens stayed in the pasture ALL day and then around 8:30PM they made their way back up to the house! They roosted in the trees last night! Are there any tricks to catching chickens? I'm at a complete loss! Help me Please!
     
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  5. Jul 24, 2018 Post #5 of 23
    snow5164

    snow5164 Crowing

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    Creatures of habit ! We moved a dog to a different kennel for night , she came inside and sat on the ground where the kennel had been ,

    Chickens aren’t the only animals that don’t like change
     
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  6. Jul 24, 2018 Post #6 of 23
    Redhead Rae

    Redhead Rae Chickens, chickens everywhere!

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    I use these wire cylinders made out of 2x4 welded wire to capture chickens easily. I spread out some treats and I walk up to them and drop the cylinder over them and bend over and pick them up. The chickens are so busy look at you and your hands that they don't see the wire in your hands. I've been meaning to make a video of me capturing chickens using this method.
    Wire basket.JPG

    Wire basket fastening.JPG
     
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  7. Jul 24, 2018 Post #7 of 23
    Redhead Rae

    Redhead Rae Chickens, chickens everywhere!

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    Another thing you could do is put their feed inside their coop and shut the door while they are eating. This should help you get most of them.

    If it doesn't work the first day, I would let them go without food in the morning and put food in the coop in the afternoon. They'll be more food motivated then.
     
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  8. Jul 24, 2018 Post #8 of 23
    Wyorp Rock

    Wyorp Rock Crossing the Road

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    Can you post some photos of your coop, run and it's location?

    I agree, chickens don't like change, so locking them in the run and coop area for several days will hopefully show them where they are supposed to live now.
     
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  9. Jul 24, 2018 Post #9 of 23
    Cryss

    Cryss Crowing

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    I agree, you need to lock them in for 2-3 days. Grab them when you can. It might take a couple days just to get each one. Feed them treats inside to trick them.
    Good luck!
     
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  10. Jul 24, 2018 Post #10 of 23
    Bettyboop7499

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    These are great! Did you make them or buy them? I was actually trying to come up with some kind of trap like this with a clothes basket...I'm desperate!
     
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