Please help!

[thatonekid]

We just moved into our new house and we've never had chickens before. A friend gave us a chicken, she is four years old and an old lady kept her as a pet but could no longer care for her, his chickens were mean to her so he gave her to us. She's in our yard right now with water and layer feed but she doesn't have a coop! We need an ides for temporary housing until we can get her proper housing and company. What do we do until then? And how can we gain her trust, I tried to pick her up and I guess I did it wrong because I scared her and she tried to fly away.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[downstownlady]

Do you have an dog crate or maybe a corner in the garage or storage shed? Sometimes they will find a tree to roost in and you can always put a ladder or the like leading up to a branch. It will take some time to get her use to you...but you could in the meantime give her a few treats off and on during the day (just a bit to let her know you are her friend). Then try the holding thing again. Generally they are a skiddish lot. But. dang if they aren't addicting!!! Check Craigslist, Freecycle's in your area and maybe you can get a coop or at least the start of one. Good luck!!!

 

[muddyhorse]

she needs a dog crate or some thing else very secure for the night, something a raccoon can not reach in and pull off her head. don't leave her out or she will be gone. I have used a plastic tub in a pinch INSIDE the house. we drilled a bunch of holes in the lid.

to tame her down offer her some treats. some of mine that are handled a lot will sometimes squawk and flap so don't feel bad. they love fruit and vegetables. don't give her potato peelings.

 

[buckabucka]

She's going to want some chicken friends, too, so plan the coop accordingly.

 

[BWKatz]

I have a lg plastic dog house that I put 2 roosts in and flipped the roof around so that half of door is in front & half in back.I used duck tape to secure xmas lites to roof and used a lamp timer for them to come on early and again at dusk. I keep it in my garage for my 4 chicks so that they are secure from coyotes and raccoons. Get her used to new coop before just letting her loose and she'll go back to it at night. Chcickens can't see well in the dark so that's why I put lights in my coop so they know they are safe going in. If u are just going to keep the one chick. u could keep her inside in a chicken diaper.