To Catch a Chicken

[BigBlueHen53]

I "crate trained" mine! I have small wire crate that has a front door and a door on top of the crate. I sprinkled meal worms in it and left the door open. They had no issues going in and out. After doing that for several days, I would quietly close the front door for a minute or two. After doing that for a couple days, I would then close the front door and reach in through the top and pick them up individually. This does take a bit of time but all positive reinforcement does. I now have chickens want to be picked up! Good luck. I found this method non-stressful for the birds plus I go to bed when they do at night and did not want to wait till they were roosting to pull them off

That's awesome! Thanks for sharing. I have 23 birds so I don't see me doing this with all of them, but it gives me ideas for a couple of them.

 

[Velma Mae]

I have taught my hens to come to me for a raisin. They don't get one if they don't let me pick them up. They are fast learners. Of course they are demanding now but if they get out of the area or I need to examine them, they usually come to.

 

[Vicker]

I'm not very skilled with a chicken hook. I do it from the roost in dim light. Some squawk like I'm murdering them, so I turn them over on their backs while holding their wings against their bodies. They shut up and just start blinking at me.

 

[SmColorInDaPan]

I've always understood it CALMS the chicken to be hung from their feet. If you have a coop, could do the same done for catching loose horses; Corner them. For Chickens-use a blanket to keep them from flying over you or running between your feet, drop it over them, or just reach out for them. I've Walked many a horse into a corner...

 

[DolceVita]

I would feel so bad for doing that. My birds are like my children

 

[BYC910]

Has anyone ever used a large net of some sort to catch chickens in daylight? Was thinking about it the other day, but not sure if it would injure the birds, etc. Would love to hear from someone who has tried this before. thanks!!

a net is the only way to go . My doctor was giving me grief over all the scratches on my arms . Found one at a yard sale and won't go any other way now. Others on the thread have said they use nets . A cheap wal-mart nets don't last I don't like the netting so much . You can buy a better replacement net basket on ebay .Around twenty five dollars . Very heavy duty and real deep for big birds .Unless they are easy catch pets . Stress is always involved when catching chickens . And most of the time the stress is more ours than the chickens .I would venture to say that free range chickens is the most cussed and threatened bird on the planet .Yea you win now but chickens and dumplings is in your future YOU SORRY SON Of A Buzzard !!!!!!!

 

[Cryss]

a net is the only way to go . My doctor was giving me grief over all the scratches on my arms . Found one at a yard sale and won't go any other way now. Others on the thread have said they use nets . A cheap wal-mart nets don't last I don't like the netting so much . You can buy a better replacement net basket on ebay .Around twenty five dollars . Very heavy duty and real deep for big birds .Unless they are easy catch pets . Stress is always involved when catching chickens . And most of the time the stress is more ours than the chickens .I would venture to say that free range chickens is the most cussed and threatened bird on the planet .Yea you win now but chickens and dumplings is in your future YOU SORRY SON Of A Buzzard !!!!!!!

 

[marina hernandez]

I don't know where i need to go, to send a new message, so i going to use this forum ;
is my first time raising chicken at my backyard, in the city, i have 2 orphington , 2 plymouth rock and 2 americanas (blue eggs) , they are 20 weeks old, and yesterday was the first i find 2 eggs, 1 blue and 1 brown , very small but good shell.
the problem is almost all day they make a lot of big noises, like the singing when they lay and egg, i see that on youtube videos, i was thinking well is ok, is they do it only when lay a egg, but my chickens make big noises all day, only stop when I let then out of the run for about 2 hours every day..

 

[Mrs. K]

When I used the net, I upset the entire flock and the bird I was trying to catch. When I use the hook, it is so quick, the rest of the flock does not even noticed and the bird you snagged is in your arms and pretty calm.

It really is amazing.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I don't know where i need to go, to send a new message, so i going to use this forum ;
is my first time raising chicken at my backyard, in the city, i have 2 orphington , 2 plymouth rock and 2 americanas (blue eggs) , they are 20 weeks old, and yesterday was the first i find 2 eggs, 1 blue and 1 brown , very small but good shell.
the problem is almost all day they make a lot of big noises, like the singing when they lay and egg, i see that on youtube videos, i was thinking well is ok, is they do it only when lay a egg, but my chickens make big noises all day, only stop when I let then out of the run for about 2 hours every day..

Hi and welcome to the forum! I think you need to start a new thread for this under Chicken Behaviors and Egg Laying. Someone will probably be able to help you with this!