Learned my first chicken LESSON within four hours !!?

[DanielG]

Ok, 4 hours in and I had my first chicken causality. I went into the coop to hang a toy and the door behind me opened up and my leg horn got away into the woods. Rule #1: invest in two screw eyes and a bungee cord so when you go into the coop the door closes behind you. Live and Learn !
What happened next is funny

We went out for a couple of hours to pick up my wifes English Budgie. When we got home I let Potter (our pooch) ut, the second I let him out he was hot on the trail of the missing chicken. All of a sudden out of the bush comes running across the yard the chicken with Potter hot on the chase. Potter grabbed her and held her down while I picked her up without a scratch. Good boy Potter !! You saved the day !

 

[MathildaMcThunderthighs]

Ok, 4 hours in and I had my first chicken causality. I went into the coop to hang a toy and the door behind me opened up and my leg horn got away into the woods. Rule #1: invest in two screw eyes and a bungee cord so when you go into the coop the door closes behind you. Live and Learn !
What happened next is funny

We went out for a couple of hours to pick up my wifes English Budgie. When we got home I let Potter (our pooch) ut, the second I let him out he was hot on the trail of the missing chicken. All of a sudden out of the bush comes running across the yard the chicken with Potter hot on the chase. Potter grabbed her and held her down while I picked her up without a scratch. Good boy Potter !! You saved the day !
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You are lucky to have such a great dog!

 

[DanielG]

You are lucky to have such a great dog!

I wasn't sure what Potter would do. It was the first time he every saw a chicken but he actually surprised me that her didn't hurt her

 

[A.M. Eggs]

You are lucky to have such a great dog!

Agreed

 

[blackdog043]

Glad it turned out well for you, good dog.

Rule #1: invest in two screw eyes and a bungee cord so when you go into the coop the door closes behind you.

Just make sure the lock on the outside can't lock you in the coop, when the door closes. That would be another lesson learned

 

[rosemarythyme]

Good dog!

Don't know how old your chickens are but if you can manage to train a dog, you can train the chickens too. If there's a dried treat they like, such as scratch, dried grubs, etc., you can put it in a jar or plastic container, and shake it each time before you give them a treat. You can add a voice command to that too (mine's simply "chook chook chook"). It's not so much about training them not to run away, but to come back.

 

[DanielG]

Glad it turned out well for you, good dog.



Just make sure the lock on the outside can't lock you in the coop, when the door closes. That would be another lesson learned

Now, that would be a riot Locked in the chicken coop ! My wife would never let me live that down !!

 

[DanielG]

Good dog!

Don't know how old your chickens are but if you can manage to train a dog, you can train the chickens too. If there's a dried treat they like, such as scratch, dried grubs, etc., you can put it in a jar or plastic container, and shake it each time before you give them a treat. You can add a voice command to that too (mine's simply "chook chook chook"). It's not so much about training them not to run away, but to come back.

They are six weeks, just little gals - thx for the tip

 

[DanielG]

 

[rosemarythyme]

6 weeks is plenty old enough to start training, if you so choose. My chicks are not quite 6 weeks yet and they're already looking at me expectantly each time I reach for the treat jar. If my hens aren't around, they'll gather close and wait for me to throw some.