Tips on training chickens to return home

[Fizzel15]

We have 6 chickens, all under the age of 17 weeks. We've had fun letting them out of their run into our yard, but they've become more curious and are beginning to venture onto our neighbors' property and under their bushes. Every time I let them out, I end up having to crawl under my neighbor's bushes to retrieve the chickens, and then getting them to return to their run is a whole different challenge.

Does anyone have any advice on how to train their chickens to come when called or with food? Mine haven't been very interested in me shaking their food container, and aren't picking up on a call I've tried to train them with. Maybe I'm not being patient enough.

Should I not leave food out for them all the time so they're more interested in returning home when I offer them a meal?

Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

From the time my chicks are about a week old, I start giving them dried mealworms, scattering them on th floor of their brooder. As I do, I call, "chick, chick CHICKENSS!!" So hey learn that call means GOODIES and for the rest of their days they come running when mama calls!

Yes, leave their regular food always available. Do not use their food as a treat. But as they get older you can add a little handful of scratch, maybe some BOSS, so they will always come unning - your voice is the equivalent of the ice cream truck!

But I would also close off all the ways they are getting to the neighbors'. One day there might be dogs over there.