New to Chicken raising in Canada

[emsnana]

We have inherited a flock of 8 laying hens about 1 year old and two roosters (one very aggressive). We have built the chicken coop and now have to transport them to our place. How do we pick them up? Sounds a dumb question, but this is our first encounter with chickens. We are planning to put them in a dog cage to move them. We have been feeding and watering them for over a month and are getting to know the various personalities. We have to move them by Friday and aren't too sure how to grab to put them in the cage. Please give all the advise you can. Thanks, Chicken Rookie

 

[nbenevento]

Get ready to chase some chickens! If they are in a pen, you just have to chase them. When you catch them, push down on them a little with your hand, covering both wings as best you can. With the other hand, reach under and putting your middle finger between its legs and the other fingers around the legs, clutching them. You can carry them that way. Or, just take a box in the run with you, catch the bird and with two hands over the wings, pick them up and put them in the box.
If they are free ranging, forget it. You have to wait until they are roosting at night and just pull them off the roost. You don't need a cage and it might even be more difficult with one. Just get a handful of boxes with a couple of peep holes in them. That would be easier to handle.

 

[Rich386]

We have inherited a flock of 8 laying hens about 1 year old and two roosters (one very aggressive). We have built the chicken coop and now have to transport them to our place. How do we pick them up? Sounds a dumb question, but this is our first encounter with chickens. We are planning to put them in a dog cage to move them. We have been feeding and watering them for over a month and are getting to know the various personalities. We have to move them by Friday and aren't too sure how to grab to put them in the cage. Please give all the advise you can. Thanks, Chicken Rookie

The best bet is to go at night after they roost. Use a flash light you don't want to get them going. Stand the kennel on it's back with the door closed but not locked. Just grab their feet and put them in your kennel.

 

[5SweetChicks]

I heard that catching them with a really big net works. If you can pick them up and put them in the cage then that would be great.

 

[Rich386]

I heard that catching them with a really big net works. If you can pick them up and put them in the cage then that would be great.

Sounds bad but does them no harm to get 2 or 3 held by their legs at a time. If they start to wake up as you catch them just give them some time to settle down and go again,

 

[emsnana]

Hi Thanks for all the responses. I guess our biggest concern is our Banty Rooster. He's really nasty. If you go in the pen he attacks you. We can kind of afraid of him.

 

[Rich386]

Hi Thanks for all the responses. I guess our biggest concern is our Banty Rooster. He's really nasty. If you go in the pen he attacks you. We can kind of afraid of him.

GET HIM FIRST HE WILL BE AN EASY CATCH AT NIGHT AND THEN. I WOULD SEND THAT BAD BOY TO FREEZER CAMP! WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF IT WAS A DOG THAT ATTACKED YOU WHEN YOU WENT NEAR HIS PEN!

 

[nbenevento]

Yeah, either get rid of him or man up and show him who is boss. It's just a chicken. If he attacks you, kick him. Scare him some how.

 

[emsnana]

Thanks for all your helpful advice. The coop is finished and the Chickens and roosters had a nice ride in a big dog cage on the back of the tractor. They were a bit shy for a couple of hours and then back to the yard and had a big supper. This morning we had 9 eggs. We are gong to try free ranging next month. I find your site most informative, as we never had anything to do with chickens before.

 

[5SweetChicks]

looks like a nice coop to me!!