Where did they come from???

[apryl29]

Wear long sleeves and don't hold them so they can get to your face. I suggest using a box(es) or cat carriers to transport them. If you can get a head lamp it will free up hands for grabbing. And if you can, get someone to help you by holding/opening/closing the boxes/ carriers so no one escapes while you're grabbing the other birds.

 

[pennyJo1960]

You have been Welcomed and advised by some of our best... but with that said do not bother with gloves or trying to grab feet the football carry is safe easy and effective if possible have a box and do them all at one time... Having two is the cats meow in this
really, do this at twilight as they have roosted for the night whatever you put them in lay scratch on newspaper or white shavings inside of it... Most of all good luck and enjoy chickens are addicting

 

[AllenK RGV]

You have been Welcomed and advised by some of our best... but with that said do not bother with gloves or trying to grab feet the football carry is safe easy and effective if possible have a box and do them all at one time... Having two is the cats meow in this
really, do this at twilight as they have roosted for the night whatever you put them in lay scratch on newspaper or white shavings inside of it... Most of all good luck and enjoy chickens are addicting

I would agree they are addicting. Suggested research for @KettermanHillCoop would involve chicken math since nobody has attempted to scare you off yet. Even today I spent the morning researching guineas as I like the idea of guard birds that will also eat ants. Still researching a firm yes on the fact that they do eat fire ants. They eat ticks for sure. However, my area has performed a comprehensive tick eradication program so "no ticks for you!". Best of luck and apparently you can put your finger between their legs(no private parts there) and measure the pelvic spread to get a good idea when they will be close to layers. I am fairly certain it is 2 finger-widths on average for a layer hen.

 

[andreanar]

Just wanting to say good luck! And my bit of advice: Don't be timid or afraid! They aren't going to hurt you, they just make a lot of noise and flapping ruckus when first grabbed. They calm once youre holding them securely. They are in kind of a trance, when on the roost at night. Much more docile. Just be quiet and grab each one with confidence!

 

[Sassysouth]

Pics posted...

Pretty chickens. If you do chase them around to catch them, have someone video it. It will be very entertaining.

 

[Sassysouth]

If you have an angle grinder it is way better than snips, I cut through 3 feet of HC in well under 30 seconds with that. I think I spent $19 on mine at harbor freight it is a wimpy thing for cutting through bolts or screws, but is a dream on hardware cloth.

Dang! I never thought of that when building my coop/run last year.

 

[lazy gardener]

Head lamp with red bulb is a must have if you keep chickens!!!

 

[venymae]

I love this story! Congrats on your new chickens! As long as the area they roost isn't brightly lit, plucking them off the roost will be easy-peasy. As everyone has said, two hands and grab them around the middle pinning their wings. Be FIRM. I transport mine in cardboard boxes compliments of my local gas station (they get their drink cups in BIG old boxes). A second person to open and close the box will be a must! Besides who doesn't want to go running around catching chickens in an industrial park at night?!

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

I would agree they are addicting. Suggested research for @KettermanHillCoop would involve chicken math since nobody has attempted to scare you off yet. Even today I spent the morning researching guineas as I like the idea of guard birds that will also eat ants. Still researching a firm yes on the fact that they do eat fire ants. They eat ticks for sure. However, my area has performed a comprehensive tick eradication program so "no ticks for you!". Best of luck and apparently you can put your finger between their legs(no private parts there) and measure the pelvic spread to get a good idea when they will be close to layers. I am fairly certain it is 2 finger-widths on average for a layer hen.

Chicken math???

 

[Sassysouth]

I kept hearing about this “chicken math” thing and thought no way. 18 months later, chicken math is REAL!!