tips for getting them back in the tractor?

[Delmar]

So I free ranged my birds for a couple of hours again today, but I had a bit of trouble coaxing them to come back in when I wanted them too. Does anyone have any training tips for me? Beyond giving them treats, that is?

 

[JulieNKC]

Food always works for mine.

Before I got them trained to come when I called though (used food of course, lol) I would just let them out in the evenings. During the day I'd have to run all over chasing them to get them in, but once it's dusk they put themselves to bed.

 

[schellie69]

Food is the best motivator for chickens. I just get the treat bucket with scratch and rattle it and they come running. You could try letting them out and hour or so before sunset then they will go in at bed time. Good luck.

 

[Delmar]

Quote:
Since this post I have been letting them out a few hours before dark and simply waiting until they put themselves to bed. Meanwhile I have been going out an hour or so before with a couple of pieces of white bread, throwing them chunks and getting them to follow me around for a while as I call them. Tonight is the first time I have gotten the whole flock to go in, by myself, before dark.

 

[AnaD]

They might learn to go back by themselves at night eventually. I herd my chickens and ducks with an 8' long bamboo stick and say " Run, run, run." when free time is over. Now when they see me pull it out they start in the direction of their run and coop without me having to do a lot of work other than follow. I don't treat with food since our garden isn't producing much surplus yet.

 

[Delmar]

Quote:
They do go in at night by themselves, but I don't always want to have to wait till dark to be done for the evening. So I am trying to train them to come when I want them to.

 

[AnaD]

Like I said, once they see my bamboo pole they know where to go. I think soon they will respond as well to me saying "Run, run, run."

 

[Lytlechick]

Use the bamboo technique!!!

 

[Fox&hen]

Quote:
They do go in at night by themselves, but I don't always want to have to wait till dark to be done for the evening. So I am trying to train them to come when I want them to.

Hi Delmar, I haven't been on for a while, hope you are doing well. As far as what i do is also treats. BOSS. Now they just see me with the coffee can and they know boss is in there, they usually are in or in front of the coop before me.

 

[BlueBetween]

I've been wondering how I'll get my girls from the coop to their grazing tractor every day... now I have a couple of ideas to try when the time comes - thanks!