Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Chicken Tractor Success
So, I've been totally struggling with getting my flock to go into the chicken tractor. I have fifteen birds and up until two days ago I could only get about eight of them out there at a time. I was chatting with frugalmom about it. She was asking me all sorts of questions about my behavior with the chickens and she wisely said "get out there and make them get in it", or something like that. That spurred me on to try to figure a way to get them to go out without too much stress. I've noticed recently that they have been very excited when I bring their food in, like they might just eat my hand while their at it excited. Sooo, it dawned on me that maybe if I put their food in there they would go out. And sure enough that worked for all but a couple and they were easily shoo'd out. Day two has come and gone and it's working. I will try to get a picture of them when it stops raining. I am amazed at how different the two spots look where they were. Mowed Down! I am relieved that they are finally "free ranging"! Thanks frugalmom for the nudge. ;0)
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6 comments:
Ha! Good job Chickens and chicken mama....sometimes you just gotta show them whos boss.....
Or not....what do I know? I dont even have a chicken.
Since you've noticed the food thing, here's another trick you can employ. Say "here chick chick" (or insert whatever little thing you want to say them here.) EVERY TIME you bring out their treats or food. Soon enough, they'll associate "here chick chick" with their treats and come RUNNING from wherever they are. So you can "here chick chick" 'em to where ever you want them to go. (and you don't even really have to have food with you anymore when you say it either......although that is a little mean.....:)
Yay, Mim! The "chick chick chick" thing that farm mom mentioned has worked for me, too. My chickens come running when they hear my voice. It's especially funny in the early morning because I'll walk down the dirt stairs and call to them while the coop is still closed up and the sound they make as they all jump off the roost is hilarious. It sounds like a bunch of bags of flour dropping onto the ground! LOL. By the time I open up the coop, they're all chattering excitedly and waiting by the door.
Marcee: You might not now first hand, but I know you are storing all the info away for use at a later time. ;0)
Angie: Thanks, I will try to remember to do that everytime from now on.
Danni: They are starting to do that when they hear me outside the coop and I slide the bolt to open the door. But I am definitely going to start the chick, chick thing.
Glad to know those good ideas are still going around. Dad used portable chicken wire houses on skids so he could just pull them with the tractor. Worked wonderfully and a good way to clear out a spot with the extra bonus of fertilizer left behind.
I read a book in which the grandchild called her grandmother Mim and it meant guardian.
Gail
Gail: There are tons of ideas out there. You just have to make the time to search and search for them, weeding out what won't work for you. What was the book called?
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