whats the best way to move the flock into there new coop at night.

[blueseal]

i figured at night when there roosting is probably the easiest way. put them in a dog crate and move them to there new coop its only a few feet away.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

Build a report with your chickens. It really is important to do so.

I have been "training" my chickens to come with a "chick, chick, chick" and a treat of bread or poultry grain.

I DO NOT say chick chick chick during regular feedings or watering.

I have them SOOOOO well trained that they come running when I drive up.

I can literally go to the barn and say the magic words and every one of them will come and see what I have for them and I do ALWAYS have something for them.

Why is this important ? Bad weather, predators, a emergency that you must attend to and you know you will not be back to put them up a dusk etc.

 

[WildBurroShirts.com]

Quote:
I'm going to start doing this! So far I just say, "Hi girls! Treat time!" and they start fighting over who gets out of the rabbit cage first.

Once they're bigger and outside...how far can they hear, or should I start using a whistle for them? I've got 15 acres so if they're way down the hill...can they still hear me?

 

[chickenannie]

They can't hear you if they're too far away (tiny ears and all) but generally my chickens don't range farther than a 300-400 foot circumference at the farthest. Typically they're about 150 feet away from coop door. I don't think they'll range all your 15 acres.

 

[CTChickenMom]

I will be building my brooder with handles so I can carry them to the coop right inside it and set them free in the run. A pet carrier or a few friends would work too (to carry them out that is).

 

[WildBurroShirts.com]

Quote:
That's it? 150 feet?

So...I'm going to have to throw them all in the truck and DRIVE them down to the area I want them to de-weed and de-bug?

Oh well. That'll look good on my resume: chicken chaffeur.

Man. I thought they'd just run all over since it's desert so not a whole lot of plant life except the (banned to them) garden and some sagebrush.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

My flock NEVER goes any further than they can see and run to go to the barn comfortably. They are always in and out for drinks and naps.

They all have their special places to range and most of them have buddies they like to hang out with.

It really is pretty amazing, these guys are not dumb.

Trust me, the magic words are heard by all.

 

[hcammack]

My hens come to three loud whistles in a row scratch can also be your best friend when moving birds they are mostly very food motivated.

 

[montyhp]

When the birds were 6 weeks, I put them in the coop for a day or two. Then We went out of town over a weekend and left the birds in the coop the entire time. When we got home, we started opening the coop door during the afternoon (just when we are home). The second night I looked out the back door and said, where are all the chickens? Turns out, they go in the coop on their own when it gets dark. They have ever since.

Montyhp

 

[chickenannie]

I always keep my chickens locked up for at least 2 weeks to make sure they know where "home" is, when I bring new chickens here. And yes, I put them in the coop at night so they wake up with the other birds.