I have 5-7 chickens who want to sleep in a cedar tree each night. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to get them to come in? Also, are there any tricks to get them to go into their laying boxes?
Bribery often works (such as a regular meal or treat just before dusk). Also, some will come to the coop when it is dark if there is a light there.
With regards to getting them to lay in their laying boxes, their preferences are for nests that are secluded and cosy, so if your nests are in direct light, or have a draft etc. then that may deter them a bit. Things like false ceramic or wooden eggs (or even golf balls) in the nest can help give them a nudge in the right direction.
A long stick or broom. A ball with kids who have the time to harass the chickens. OR trim ONE wing so that they can not get an equal lift off to get in the tree.
Buy fake plastic egs and put them in the boxes. Or invest in a hen that lays and knows what nest boxes are all about.
We use the bribery methody. They just can't resist a bedtime snack. Ours come running if they hear the scratch shaking in a cup. Now all we have to do is call, "chook, chook, chook," and they come running.
yes, being around about 1/2 an hour before they want to roost, just before sundown, with a snack of corn or bread, did the trick for me...now as soon as they see me, they all follow me down to the coop, where i throw compost (that i have keep just for the evening for them). into their run and they all go in..i close the door behind them.
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I have 5-7 chickens who want to sleep in a cedar tree each night. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to get them to come in? Also, are there any tricks to get them to go into their laying boxes?
Bribery often works (such as a regular meal or treat just before dusk). Also, some will come to the coop when it is dark if there is a light there.
With regards to getting them to lay in their laying boxes, their preferences are for nests that are secluded and cosy, so if your nests are in direct light, or have a draft etc. then that may deter them a bit. Things like false ceramic or wooden eggs (or even golf balls) in the nest can help give them a nudge in the right direction.
A long stick or broom.
A ball with kids who have the time to harass the chickens.
OR trim ONE wing so that they can not get an equal lift off to get in the tree.
Buy fake plastic egs and put them in the boxes. Or invest in a hen that lays and knows what nest boxes are all about.
We use the bribery methody. They just can't resist a bedtime snack. Ours come running if they hear the scratch shaking in a cup. Now all we have to do is call, "chook, chook, chook," and they come running.
yes, being around about 1/2 an hour before they want to roost, just before sundown, with a snack of corn or bread, did the trick for me...now as soon as they see me, they all follow me down to the coop, where i throw compost (that i have keep just for the evening for them). into their run and they all go in..i close the door behind them.
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