Transporting chickens from coop to run and back?

[tracecom]

Has anyone ever tried to train a small flock to enter a transportable cage in order to be moved from the coop to a forage area and back? I know it sounds far out, but I think it could be done, and my coop and forage areas are not together. Here's what I would like to happen.

I go to the coop and attach a portable cage to the pop door.
The chickens go in the cage, and I move the cage to the forage area.
I attach the cage to a pen in the forage area, and open the cage.
The chickens forage in the pen.
And then, (here's the hardest part, I guess,) on command or signal or something, the chickens go from the forage pen back into the cage.
I take the cage back to the coop, and the chickens go in the coop.

Okay, when I write it all out, it sounds absurd, but could it be done? I know that chickens have been trained to do some amazing things. Has anyone done anything like this, and if so, how?

Thanks.

 

[jeepguy982001]

i've never tried it but sounds like a neat idea. But seems possible. there are alot of people here that let their chickens out of the run and lure them back in by shaking a cup or can of scratch. the sound will make them come running it just might take some practice. so you could prob do something similar to get them back from the run to the cage to move them.

 

[jentralala]

x2

I would teach them from a young age that a certain call ( I use 'chickie chickie chickie!") or noise, like a rattling can, to get them to come to you. I would also use a pretty decent sized cage, so they aren't too piled on top of each other.

 

[vehve]

People clicker train their chickens to do all sorts of things. Although, if you wan't a minimum effort solution, chicken tunnels might be something to consider. They look a bit silly, but get the job done. Of course, if you're run is far away from the coop it isn't maybe the best idea. Have you thought about moving your coop? To me, the idea of having to shuttle them back and forth every day seems a bit labor intensive...

 

[aart]

How many chickens?
Are you going to carry the cage back and forth?
How far away is the forage area?
What is your location?..... putting it in your profile helps folks give better advice.

I think that would get old very quickly....might think about portable chunnels if the site allows.

 

[tracecom]

How many chickens?
Are you going to carry the cage back and forth?
How far away is the forage area?
What is your location?..... putting it in your profile helps folks give better advice.

I think that would get old very quickly....might think about portable chunnels if the site allows.

10 chicks
yes, probably in the Ranger UTV
100 yards
NE Mississippi

I guess it would get old. What are the chances of training them to walk from the coop to the pen? and back? Seriously, would it be possible to get them to do that...maybe with treats?

 

[YardBirdMom]

I believe you could probably train them to go into a portable contraption, but have you considered building/buying an attached day pen or closer to the coop?

I bought 16 pullets from a local feed store, they are the black and red sex link variety, and now are almost 16 wks old. They have been in their coop/run for about 6 weeks, and have been free ranging in my 'yard' (It's a very large yard - to the tune of several acres) for about 4 weeks.

It has taken me the better part of a month to establish a routine of getting them out, staying in the area they are suppose to, encouraging them to explore more of the area I want them to roam in, coming when I call to give treats in one certain area, and once finished with that following me to the run to go inside for another type of treat they love (mealworms with cracked corn) which concludes our day.

It has been a LONG, tedious, and labor intensive training experience. What I've learned is they do learn, but they also have minds of their own and you will always have one, or two, that absolutely do not want to go with the crowd and will cause you problems. Therefore, I don't know if you can get chickens to consistently follow you for 300 feet!

I do wish you luck and please let us all know how you solve this puzzle

 

[aart]

Quote: Yeah, too far for chunnels. Maybe you could 'herd them' effectively...or rather lead them with treats...but got my doubts, they are not very obedient...lol.
Would be easier to transport them as you first suggested, 10's not a huge number....maybe a wheeled enclosure to hook to your UTV?
Might have to physically put them in there lots of times before they'd go on their own, chickens are easily spooked.

Why not build the coop near the forage area?
How big is the forage area? You know 10 chickens can totally decimate any plants pretty quickly even in a fairly large area if confined to it.
Is the goal 'free ranging' with predator protection?

 

[tracecom]

Yeah, too far for chunnels. Maybe you could 'herd them' effectively...or rather lead them with treats...but got my doubts, they are not very obedient...lol.
Would be easier to transport them as you first suggested, 10's not a huge number....maybe a wheeled enclosure to hook to your UTV?
Might have to physically put them in there lots of times before they'd go on their own, chickens are easily spooked.

Why not build the coop near the forage area?
How big is the forage area? You know 10 chickens can totally decimate any plants pretty quickly even in a fairly large area if confined to it.
Is the goal 'free ranging' with predator protection?

The Ranger is equipped with a trailer hitch, and I could come up with a small enclosed trailer, so that's an idea.

The coop is where it is for several reasons: it's in the shade, adjacent to the electrical and water outlets, and convenient to get to from the house. I built it on skids, so it could be moved, and I could drag it with the tractor, but that would be a major operation due to its weight and the uneven terrain.

I have about 50 acres and there is a lot more that the chicks could range on without complaints from any neighbors. In fact, there are only three other houses on the road with ours; two are about a quarter mile and the other is only a little closer. I mow about 7 acres of mixed bermuda, fescue and weeds, and the rest is mixed pine/hardwood woodlands and scruffy pasture, all of which I know the chicks would enjoy.

The ultimate goal (maybe unrealistic) is complete free range for the chicks during the day. In a perfect world, that would be ideal. But, there are hawks present and one of the neighbors has three lazy dogs; in addition, I am sure there are owls, coons, possums, a few foxes, and a coyote or two, so danger is present.

Maybe the best compromise would be a small chicken tractor that I could move around.

 

[Irishhenman]

A what about when they need to go to the coop to lay?