Safer Living Through Bribery

[Eggscaping]

I want videos people! We're probably a year from having our own chickens and the local feed store is singing the chick song and I can't hold out forever!

...pssssst….don't give her any videos...that way maybe she'll let me go to the feed store in a few weeks and just LOOK at the chicks. That's right...all I'm going to do is LOOK at them! I promise! <shifty eyes> After all, we're a year away from moving and have to gussy up our house, get ride of 70% of our STUFF and there is no time/money for chickens ...now. So certainly I would not try to bring home any baby chicks....

 

[Folly's place]

'Chicken math' is happening yet again! 'Just looking', sure. It's like 'just looking' at a litter of puppies or kittens. Just looking...
Mary

 

[Ribh]

My technique is a little different. First I'll start beyond the chickens so that they're between me and their run. I'll do a slow, soft clap for a few seconds to alert them that's it's time to return home. I'm usually wearing garden gloves so it's more like a thud than a clap. That usually gets them moving in the right direction. Then I follow them, holding a leaf rake which I use as an extension of my arms to help corral them to the run entrance. For the most part, they stay ahead of me and the rake, but if need be I'll give them a gentle tap on their rear and then they scurry ahead. They usually stay in a group which makes it easier for me (if they ever conspire to run in different directions, my system would be destroyed, haha). This usually is very effective, but occasionally one will miss the entrance so then I just have to follow her around the run and she'll go in on the second pass by. Once they're all in, sometimes I'll reward them with corn or grubs, but not as a rule. Anyhow, they're less than a year old and I've only been doing this for about three months, but so far so good.

I used to have to do this when my POLs first arrived until they were trained to come to a call ~ only I used a broken fishing rod. It reaches further.

 

[rosemarythyme]

My technique is a little different. First I'll start beyond the chickens so that they're between me and their run. I'll do a slow, soft clap for a few seconds to alert them that's it's time to return home. I'm usually wearing garden gloves so it's more like a thud than a clap. That usually gets them moving in the right direction. Then I follow them, holding a leaf rake which I use as an extension of my arms to help corral them to the run entrance. For the most part, they stay ahead of me and the rake, but if need be I'll give them a gentle tap on their rear and then they scurry ahead. They usually stay in a group which makes it easier for me (if they ever conspire to run in different directions, my system would be destroyed, haha). This usually is very effective, but occasionally one will miss the entrance so then I just have to follow her around the run and she'll go in on the second pass by. Once they're all in, sometimes I'll reward them with corn or grubs, but not as a rule. Anyhow, they're less than a year old and I've only been doing this for about three months, but so far so good.

I do something similar to this as well along with the good old "shake a canister of treats." Sometimes I just don't have treats on hand but I'm much more likely to have the pooper scooper with me if I'm out with them.

 

[NewBoots]

'Chicken math' is happening yet again! 'Just looking', sure. It's like 'just looking' at a litter of puppies or kittens. Just looking...
Mary

I just have to remain strong. I can do it. We don't even have the house placed on the land we are in the middle of buying yet. Chicken coop comes right after the house, fence, and shed/workshop.

This has been a really helpful thread. Thanks to everyone!

 

[Kris5902]

I just have to remain strong. I can do it. We don't even have the house placed on the land we are in the middle of buying yet. Chicken coop comes right after the house, fence, and shed/workshop.

This has been a really helpful thread. Thanks to everyone!

See! some people actually have their priorities straight! I’m showing this post to the enabling husband that encouraged me to get the hatching eggs. I’m still looking at my foundation forms almost half finished, and my wall panels piled up around the trailer... but I do have two glorious and complete chicken tractors... soon to be four if I have my way! House not so much...

 

[booth2010]

I have never really shown mine any affection or given treats and all I have to do is the usual "here chickies" and they come running.

 

[amoeba]

I've trained mine to come to a whistle using mealworms as bribes. When my chicken Laserwolf was alive (little Rosecomb in profile pic) she loved breaking out into the neighbor's yard. I'd go to the bottom of the driveway and whistle and yell "LASERWOLF!" and she'd come running on her tiny little legs. I'm urban, and I especially enjoyed when strangers passing by witnessed this.

 

[MaryJanet]

I think your co-worker is misinformed.

My chooks go anywhere for lettuce.

 

[TLCMidMichigan]

If I want my chickens to come for a treat when their out a ways, I just clap my hands and call, "Hear Chic, Chic, Chic"! I've done this from early age on. And I'll have some bread, mealworms or sunflower seeds.
For these winter months I have purchased some greens from the store. On occasion their on sale at half off. Ill cut a plate full up into smaller pieces. Their consumed quickly.
Its called training from the beginning.