chicks free ranging in the garden today

[lynda66]

it was sunny today though a bit cold with a bit of a chilly wind, but i thought i'd take the babies out while i did some weeding, was a bit worried, cos they have only been in the polytunnel up to now, and was dreading them making a run for it.

anyway, let them out of the cat box, lifted some stones looking for slugs, they stand there waiting now and dive in when i lift them, once i'd done that i started weeding, expecting them to come and help, but nope they just stood there in the corner looking miserable ...... think maybe it was a bit cold lol,

the only time they decided to do a runner was when i decided they'd had enough, and went to catch them, phoenix decided to run off so i left her for 5 mins then decided she did actually want to get in the cat basket after all

[Glutton4...]

I hope you find them easier to catch than I do - it could me made into an Olympic Sport .

There's no 'expert' advice anywhere about 'how to catch a Chook that doesn't want to be caught' either!

Roped OH into helping last time, 'cause he was looking at me like I was hopeless - you guessed it, he was worse. Worth a laugh though.

[lynda66]

yeah, don't think it will be so easy when they aren't cold and fed up lol

[janeyo]

It's a good idea to get them used to coming when you want by rattling a tin of corn (or chick crumbs or whatever the babies eat). They soon learn to come arunning if they hear the rattle...

[lynda66]

i have a couple of tubs the same, that i keep meal worms and slugs in, they always know what that is, the microwave gets em going,(defrosting frozen veg for their tea) but that might be a bit of a problem outdoors lol

[petal]

My chickens all follow me as soon as they see me. They sit down to let you stroke them and take themselves to bed at dusk. They keep trying to get in the house they are so tame!

[lynda66]

if i sit in the chair outside, they come pecking round my feet, might have been a bit of a shock today cos i went to a different part of the garden to where they were, but think it was just too cold for them after about half an hour, it's never that cold in the house,

in the house, they perk up every time i move in case i have food lol.

they don't like going in the cat basket while i move em though, that doesn't help lol.

[frias]

Had to take a couple of mine to the vets this week. It's amazing how they get under your feet when you don't want them but manage to side step very quickly when you do want them. I whistle when giving food so they all come at the whistle now but still seem to know when I'm going to pick them up.

[Snadger]

Had to take a couple of mine to the vets this week. It's amazing how they get under your feet when you don't want them but manage to side step very quickly when you do want them. I whistle when giving food so they all come at the whistle now but still seem to know when I'm going to pick them up.

I let mine free range on my allotment the other day and had a helluva job to get them back in their run.
I've found a shops bell that i picked up at a car boot sale at one time thinking "I'll find a use for that" Well I just have!!!! I now ring the bell when I arive at the allotment with their food. Hopefully after they've cottoned on.........the next time I let them free range I'll just need to ring the bell and they'll return!

[lynda66]

lol can't wait to see if that one doesn't work, can you post the video next time they are out

at least mine don't really run away, cos really i'm still their mummy they just kinda jump just out of reach, so no mad dashes through the mud for me

[frias]

Weeding Lynda? So the pallet chicken house is all finished. I seem to have missed that post. Are we going to get some piccies?

[lynda66]

weeding, yup, i decided as i haven't weeded since about april last year and that the weeds have taken over especially where the fruit is going..... i needed to get rid of them lol, (8 buckets of weeds so far and am about a 1/3 done) as i'm trying to get the fruit beds/cages done before starting on the veg beds.

and nope chook house not finished yet been too cold for the babies to go out anyway, the roof is kind of on, but it's coming off at weekend cos how it is now isn't particularly secure, so we have another plan for attaching it ..... son and his mate are not allowed to leave on sunday till it's finished, i can't lift the roof myself lol.

so hopefully the babies will be outside early next week, the run may take a little longer, but they'll be fine in the shed for a few weeks with an hour or so outside when i'm out and weather permits, which is what they get now, then by spring it should all be ready for them to please themselves

[frias]

If you had ex-batts you wouldn't need to weed, they clear the garden of everything, weeds, plants, grass. Have to admit can't wait until something starts to grow as garden looks really bare.

Good luck with the roof.

[lynda66]

that's a good point, but the babies don't eat that many weeds yet lol, i do chuck em in the playpen for them ...... anyway theres still 3 tons in the front garden for when they eat more

[pipscariad]

Aw, bless them, doing the grown up bit outside! If it was anything like it was here today (blummin freezing and blowing a hoolie), don't balme them for wanting to get back in the cat box...

I let mine free range on my allotment the other day and had a helluva job to get them back in their run.
I've found a shops bell that i picked up at a car boot sale at one time thinking "I'll find a use for that" Well I just have!!!! I now ring the bell when I arive at the allotment with their food. Hopefully after they've cottoned on.........the next time I let them free range I'll just need to ring the bell and they'll return!

Oo, Pavlovs chickens eh Snadger?