The Pains of Pullets

[TheChickenGuardian]

So. My four week old pullets had their second day outside today. With access to the run for the first time. They finally explored it. And for the next three hours they were roaming around loving it. But then it was getting cold and dusk. So I wanted to get them in. Oh my god. They have access to under the coop and I can't fit under our raised coop. So they were hiding under there when I would try to catch them.
I was finally able to push their little butts back up the ramp to the coop. And shut it. Then I was able to catch them inside the coop. But it was hard work and I have a bad hip and back. So bending down a lot like that can hurt.
But they are finally inside chomping down on some uncooked quinoa.
I absolutely love the three little trouble makers though. Even though they sometimes scratch each other's feet and I have to trim their nails every couple days. And they like to kick their shavings into the water container. And food (not nearly as much). They are a hassle but are loving and sometimes it's very rewarding (even when they act like three year old toddlers).

 

[Cecisflock]

So. My four week old pullets had their second day outside today. With access to the run for the first time. They finally explored it. And for the next three hours they were roaming around loving it. But then it was getting cold and dusk. So I wanted to get them in. Oh my god. They have access to under the coop and I can't fit under our raised coop. So they were hiding under there when I would try to catch them.
I was finally able to push their little butts back up the ramp to the coop. And shut it. Then I was able to catch them inside the coop. But it was hard work and I have a bad hip and back. So bending down a lot like that can hurt.
But they are finally inside chomping down on some uncooked quinoa.
I absolutely love the three little trouble makers though. Even though they sometimes scratch each other's feet and I have to trim their nails every couple days. And they like to kick their shavings into the water container. And food (not nearly as much). They are a hassle but are loving and sometimes it's very rewarding (even when they act like three year old toddlers).

i can relate omg

 

[WindingRoad]

So. My four week old pullets had their second day outside today. With access to the run for the first time. They finally explored it. And for the next three hours they were roaming around loving it. But then it was getting cold and dusk. So I wanted to get them in. Oh my god. They have access to under the coop and I can't fit under our raised coop. So they were hiding under there when I would try to catch them.
I was finally able to push their little butts back up the ramp to the coop. And shut it. Then I was able to catch them inside the coop. But it was hard work and I have a bad hip and back. So bending down a lot like that can hurt.
But they are finally inside chomping down on some uncooked quinoa.
I absolutely love the three little trouble makers though. Even though they sometimes scratch each other's feet and I have to trim their nails every couple days. And they like to kick their shavings into the water container. And food (not nearly as much). They are a hassle but are loving and sometimes it's very rewarding (even when they act like three year old toddlers).

Go out at dusk. Get a small tree branch and herd them into the coop. I just tap the branch on the ground and screech. Get into the COOOOOOOPPPPP.. I think they go in because they want me to shut up. And then I close the door and turn off any light. Just have my flash light so I can see. Then I taught them how to GET UP. And I pick them up onto the roosts. Took me about a week. Do that every night and put them in the same place every night. It took me about 2 weeks to train them. But it's so worth when I'm in a hurry or it's super cold outside. Birds herd better than cows. I hardly use my stick anymore. And sometimes when I'm a little late getting out there they are already up on the roosts. I do have one bird that tries so hard to get on the roost. She's a big girl and just can't seem to jump up there so I have to help her some times. My WLH roost on the top bar so I have to get them to GET UP twice. I always praise them. What a good girl you are. I sing a lullaby to them. Patting them and checking crops and eyes and some times look at feet too. They are getting better at me making of them.

Those WLH eat so much they almost topple off the roosts at night they are so top heavy with their filled crops. About base ball sized and my WLH are not very big.

Good luck every night same place. Night after night and use words. GET UP GET in the COOOOOOP. and eventually they will do it on their own and save your back. Good luck. EVERY NIGHT. til they "get it".

 

[TheChickenGuardian]

Go out at dusk. Get a small tree branch and herd them into the coop. I just tap the branch on the ground and screech. Get into the COOOOOOOPPPPP.. I think they go in because they want me to shut up. And then I close the door and turn off any light. Just have my flash light so I can see. Then I taught them how to GET UP. And I pick them up onto the roosts. Took me about a week. Do that every night and put them in the same place every night. It took me about 2 weeks to train them. But it's so worth when I'm in a hurry or it's super cold outside. Birds herd better than cows. I hardly use my stick anymore. And sometimes when I'm a little late getting out there they are already up on the roosts. I do have one bird that tries so hard to get on the roost. She's a big girl and just can't seem to jump up there so I have to help her some times. My WLH roost on the top bar so I have to get them to GET UP twice. I always praise them. What a good girl you are. I sing a lullaby to them. Patting them and checking crops and eyes and some times look at feet too. They are getting better at me making of them.

Those WLH eat so much they almost topple off the roosts at night they are so top heavy with their filled crops. About base ball sized and my WLH are not very big.

Good luck every night same place. Night after night and use words. GET UP GET in the COOOOOOP. and eventually they will do it on their own and save your back. Good luck. EVERY NIGHT. til they "get it".

Thank you for the great idea! I will start training that!

 

[WindingRoad]

Thank you for the great idea! I will start training that!

You'll be surprised at how quickly they learn. Praise does work too. Good luck, EVERY NIGHT SAME PLACE. I have 2 RIR one sleep facing the front of the roost one sleeps facing the wall and if I get them messed up they let me know. BAWWWWWWKKKK. One is much heavier than the other, RUBY so that's the only way I know. I have 2 SLW and I put the wrong one up top one night and boy did I hear about that. Thelma goes on the top roost she has more white on top of her head. And Louise goes on the bottom roost she hardly has any white on the top of her head. I have to get my flash light for that chore. LOL.

 

[TheChickenGuardian]

You'll be surprised at how quickly they learn. Praise does work too. Good luck, EVERY NIGHT SAME PLACE. I have 2 RIR one sleep facing the front of the roost one sleeps facing the wall and if I get them messed up they let me know. BAWWWWWWKKKK. One is much heavier than the other, RUBY so that's the only way I know. I have 2 SLW and I put the wrong one up top one night and boy did I hear about that. Thelma goes on the top roost she has more white on top of her head. And Louise goes on the bottom roost she hardly has any white on the top of her head. I have to get my flash light for that chore. LOL.

I bet! The chickens I used to help raise all were able to get onto the perch themselves. But we had a bunch of mixed breeds and medium weight birds. I do have two Orpingtons though and they are heavy type birds. Right now they are easily getting on the perch. I'm just waiting for them to get old enough to stay completely outside

 

[TheChickenGuardian]

Go out at dusk. Get a small tree branch and herd them into the coop. I just tap the branch on the ground and screech. Get into the COOOOOOOPPPPP.. I think they go in because they want me to shut up. And then I close the door and turn off any light. Just have my flash light so I can see. Then I taught them how to GET UP. And I pick them up onto the roosts. Took me about a week. Do that every night and put them in the same place every night. It took me about 2 weeks to train them. But it's so worth when I'm in a hurry or it's super cold outside. Birds herd better than cows. I hardly use my stick anymore. And sometimes when I'm a little late getting out there they are already up on the roosts. I do have one bird that tries so hard to get on the roost. She's a big girl and just can't seem to jump up there so I have to help her some times. My WLH roost on the top bar so I have to get them to GET UP twice. I always praise them. What a good girl you are. I sing a lullaby to them. Patting them and checking crops and eyes and some times look at feet too. They are getting better at me making of them.

Those WLH eat so much they almost topple off the roosts at night they are so top heavy with their filled crops. About base ball sized and my WLH are not very big.

Good luck every night same place. Night after night and use words. GET UP GET in the COOOOOOP. and eventually they will do it on their own and save your back. Good luck. EVERY NIGHT. til they "get it".

I just tried your training approach with them for the first time! My Plymouth rock was feisty and didn't want to listen but she ended up giving in and walking up the ramp. The two Orpingtons were just waiting for her to fall in line. They don't like doing anything without her. They tend to follow where she goes. Or where the smallest Orpington goes.
The smallest (Lemon) was really wanting them to head back into the coop. She was hungry and thirsty. They wouldn't come up the two times I saw her try. And she would give up and walk back down without going farther into the coop. And they hadn't went in to drink or eat for about three hours. So I figured I would get them back in to make sure they stayed fed and hydrated. They were just having so much fun outside I don't think the other two cared about water needs Lol. I am going to put another water container outside though

 

[vintage]

Go out at dusk. Get a small tree branch and herd them into the coop. I just tap the branch on the ground and screech. Get into the COOOOOOOPPPPP.. I think they go in because they want me to shut up. And then I close the door and turn off any light. Just have my flash light so I can see. Then I taught them how to GET UP. And I pick them up onto the roosts. Took me about a week. Do that every night and put them in the same place every night. It took me about 2 weeks to train them. But it's so worth when I'm in a hurry or it's super cold outside. Birds herd better than cows. I hardly use my stick anymore. And sometimes when I'm a little late getting out there they are already up on the roosts. I do have one bird that tries so hard to get on the roost. She's a big girl and just can't seem to jump up there so I have to help her some times. My WLH roost on the top bar so I have to get them to GET UP twice. I always praise them. What a good girl you are. I sing a lullaby to them. Patting them and checking crops and eyes and some times look at feet too. They are getting better at me making of them.

Those WLH eat so much they almost topple off the roosts at night they are so top heavy with their filled crops. About base ball sized and my WLH are not very big.

Good luck every night same place. Night after night and use words. GET UP GET in the COOOOOOP. and eventually they will do it on their own and save your back. Good luck. EVERY NIGHT. til they "get it".

Oh man, this is going to be me, I just know it. I LOVE this!