roosting in trees - is this safe? (pic)

[12 Acres]

If you have any old CDs or pie tins laying around the house you could hang them from the tree branches to dissuade your chooks from flying up there. Those big, shiny, scary chicken eating objects just might do the trick!

 

[wishin4chicken]

Has anyone "trained" their chickens to come in at night using treats? Seems like it should be possible.

 

[jak2002003]

Has anyone "trained" their chickens to come in at night using treats? Seems like it should be possible.

Yes.. that's how I trained mine.

Now they go into the coop on their own if I am not there.. I just shut the door after dark.

Early evening call them in and give them their food... or their favourite treat.. Once they are inside eating.. just shut the door.

Do this for about a week and they will just get into the habit of going in to roost in there. Once they get their own roosting spot they will return to it each evening.

I actually am now trying to get some of them to roost in TREES.. because I have an over population of them.. they breed like rabbits... Mine are Japanese bantams.

I keep my best birds in the coop at night.. as its best protection from predators.

The other 50 plus birds can take their chances up in the trees.

I am luck I don't have many predators here.. and my property is totally secured with walls and fences... so safe from land predators like dogs They have been roosting in the trees a few months now and I have not lost any. In fact they seem happier in the trees as they have more space and don't squabble over roosting space.

They also don't have to wait for me to let them out in the mornings... and they can get the early morning worms!

I was surprised that even the chicks get right up into the trees.. climbing and scrabbling their way up the tree trunks.

I might loose a few to snakes or cats.. but so far no losses. I have to explain that I have so many because I used to breed and sell them. However, the pet shops are now selling really bad quality cheap chickens.. and won't pay more for my show quality ones... so I have stopped selling them. I have also not allowed any more to hatch out any eggs. They all live in a large mango orchard.. and so have plenty of space... and I like seeing them roaming about.

I will be able to sell some at local markets.. but it will take a long time to reduce the population... but I am in no hurry.