Training "stubborn" hens

[Apis mellifera]

Some of these responses have me wondering....do most people not have food available for their chickens 24/7? Since they have started free ranging, I have noticed a significant down tick in the amount of grain they are consuming, but I do still catch them returning to the run throughout the day to get water and grab a couple bites before heading back out.

Once the snow melts and things green up around here my flock consumes less than half of what they do during the winter, and they always have all flock or layer available. Goes to show you how incomplete feeds are. A simple fix to your problem, get more Australorps

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I am sort of in the same boat. I have an old cow bell i have been ringing when I go to lock them up and that is the only time they get treats. They put themselves to bed just fine it’s just a little late for my liking because I also have coyotes and raccoons. I am trying the cow bell because I don’t think they will hear me yelling like my last flock did in the backyard. If they’re up in the woods I don’t even know where they are to aim the yell so I started with the cow bell a few nights ago. Keep us posted how you get on! Lots of good advice so far and all worked for my old flock but I just feel like with more space I am going to try something a little louder than my own voice.