To Catch a Chicken

[m1chelle1]

I used a large fishing net to catch one of my cockerels the other day. Most of my pullets will let me get close enough to catch them, but neither cockerel likes me to get very close. I waited for him to run into a corner, then just blocked him in with the net. I was worried he'd thrash about once inside, but no. He ran right into it and immediately settled when he couldn't go any further. Then I just reached in and gently took him out. He was a little stressed (panting just a tiny bit), but didn't panic or fight at all. I did my exam, then put him down and he just walked off. Came running right up next time I scattered treats, staying just out of reach like usual. It actually went a lot better than I expected, definitely easier than chasing him around the run and getting him all worked up. Of course, now he knows what the net is, so we'll have to see what happens next time.

thank you for the input! good to know it can work nicely. i might try on my chickens

 

[D-Bar-B]

The old farmer that we got our first hens from used a hook to grab the ones I wanted. I like @aart approach better and it works for my girls when they're already on the roost and calm. BUT, if the need arises to get them quickly, the hook is great!

 

[D-Bar-B]

That might be why I can handle my chickens - I have no roo who guards my flock and sound the alarm when I go in the coop.

I was thinking the same thing. I have hens/pullets only and they just stay on the roost while I gather the one I need (well the hens...pullets, not yet).

 

[Aunt Angus]

I was thinking the same thing. I have hens/pullets only and they just stay on the roost while I gather the one I need (well the hens...pullets, not yet).

Well, I have two cockerels in the brooder now. I guess I'll figure it out soon enough...

 

[buffyfluffy17]

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!!

We have done this before to catch a hen with feathers missing to put a saddle on her back. We used a large fishing net, which worked well. The hen was not hurt at all, but she did freak out a little while in the net before we took her out. We then put the saddle on her and the Silver Laced Wyandotte was back to her normal living with no problems!

 

[buffyfluffy17]

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!!

I have tried this before to put a saddle on a hen's back that was missing feathers due to the rooster. We used a large fishing net to catch the Silver Laced Wyandotte, and it worked well. She was not hurt at all, but the hen did freak out a little while in the net before we took her out. We then put the saddle on her and she was back to her happy, normal living with no problems!

 

[buffyfluffy17]

I don't know why my reply posted twice. Sorry about that.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I don't know why my reply posted twice. Sorry about that.

You can click the three bars at the lower left of your post, select Edit, and delete the second post. Sometimes people write "double post" as a reason when prompted.

 

[aart]

You can click the three bars at the lower left of your post, select Edit, and delete the second post. Sometimes people write "double post" as a reason when prompted.

Or hit the 'report' icon and ask to have post deleted.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

[QUOTE="aart, post: Or hit the 'report' icon and ask to have post deleted.[/QUOTE]

Ah! Good to know! That's why you got the "Enabler" badge!