Taking a Chicken for a Walk

[centrarchid]

How neat! I would love to see this at science centers.

Owing to the way science centers appear to talk, if this approach proves successful, then in all likelihood it will be replicated elsewhere. The broody hen part will make use of tamed and trained hens that will tolerate close inspection while brooding and interact with public when off nest.

 

[centrarchid]

Trying same approach with American Dominique cockerel. He walks with me great, but is not tame enough to come to hand when called. American Dominiques real hard for me to train, either bird or trainer not so smart. He needs to come quickly when called if we come across a dog or other threat.

 

[centrarchid]

This bunch is being taken on walks across the road and requiring some flight time.

Daughter walking with chicks and hen as they look for insects.

Dogs, cat and son participating in walk. Note dogs providing an outer perimeter.

Daughter after chasing a Carolina Grasshopper a couple hundred yards.

Kids helping me space ladders the chickens fly back and forth between.

 

[centrarchid]

 

[aart]

What was that last one?

 

[centrarchid]

What was that last one?

Daughter chasing the grasshopper that flew a good 200 yards, well past where I could record her with camera. She and son ran another for a similar distance and hen was after it to for a good 50 yards or so. Kids complained it landed in a sticker bush thought to harbor chiggers.

 

[hispoptart]

I don't have any videos but heres a couple of pics of my Daughter with one of our girls in a harness and leash.

 

[Jandsloch]

My kiddos uses cat harnesses from Walmart to walk their 4h chickens

 

[SueT]

It's cute that the dog and cat also are walking w the chickens.

 

[centrarchid]

It's cute that the dog and cat also are walking w the chickens.

Most of the time, associations between chickens and the other animals is random, especially where cats are concerned. There are times when a juvenile chicken will follow a dog to catch insects, especially grasshoppers the dogs flush. That occurs mostly in the evening.