Movng my chickens to a portable play pen else where in my yard.

[casiphia]

Hello,

I have a portable chick n play pen for my sweet ladies. When I clean the coop, or let them get their grass and dirt bath for the day I put them in this pen. I have moved it in the area of the coop. I would like to place it else where in my yard and move them to it. My problem is how would I get them to it with out chasing them all over my yard. They aren't free range for neighbors have curious critters that like to visit them. Especially the meowing kind! My old cat doesn't care for them....lol

Any ideas how I can get them to a newer area in the yard without carrying them one by one. I have one that doesn't like to be picked up. No matter how I pick her up and hold her wings against her body she manages to get them free and flaps and flies out of my arms. I thought about a portable carrier to carry them over to it. What do you all think?

This is my peck-n-play!


Thanks Casiphia

 

[User395221]

thought about a portable carrier to carry them over to it.

You could certainly use a cat carrier (or other carrier) for the one who doesn't like being carried, but would you be able to put her inside if she flaps about?

Is there a door on the portable run? If so, I'd try training them to go into it voluntarily, put their treats inside and say a word that you'll use for 'go in your playhouse'. Use something they REALLY like and will go running for. Then try moving it a bit further away. When they are reliably running in there, move it a bit further.... Eventually, they should go into it for their treat, wherever you put it.
Do you know who your "top chook" is? Work on her. If SHE reliably goes running in, the others should follow.

 

[casiphia]

Oh yea, I do know who my "top chook" is. She made it known from when there were chicks! My sweet vocal Ginger! This pen doesn't have a door on the side but I saw the post of another on here who uses a puppy play pen and it has a door on the side. I am considering getting it. I shall try training Ginger to go to the pen and hope the others will follow too.

Thank you.

 

[User395221]

I shall try training Ginger to go to the pen

Focus on training her to go wherever you take her "desired treat". There can be a pen there or not. Just get her doing the "pied piper" where you lead and she follows. Will you have to lead them past anything ultra yummy (if not, they should stay focussed on the "good stuff" you've got for them)?


How far away are you wanting to take them? If it's not that far, another idea is to use portable netting or portable fencing to create a narrow walkway to where you want them. The pet pens can be put in any configuration.

 

[RockyFieldsFarm]

I trained mine to follow me - they knew I was carrying their treats! They still come running to me when I come out of the house if they are outside lol

 

[donrae]

Once they're in the pen, can't you just drag it to where you want to go? It may take a bit of bumping them, but it looks soft enough they're not going to get hurt. Just keep an eye on them when you're moving it to be sure their legs don't get caught.

 

[casiphia]

I have thought about doing that. Maybe I will try it. Thanks