Catching Chickens In Trees: Strategies For Success

Chickens are known to escape and hide in trees, requiring their owners to devise strategies to catch them. While chasing chickens is an option, it is often ineffective due to their speed and agility. A more successful approach involves luring chickens with treats, such as mealworms, and herding them into a confined space, like a chicken coop. In some cases, tools such as fishing nets, poultry hooks, or traps may be utilised to capture the birds without direct contact. Additionally, chickens are easier to catch at night when they are roosting and less mobile. Training chickens from a young age to enjoy human handling and respond to treats can also simplify the process of catching them.

How to prevent chickens from climbing trees

Chickens roosting in trees is a common phenomenon, and they have been doing it for centuries. Smaller, lighter chickens with longer wings can fly better than meatier breeds. While this habit may not be a big deal during the day, it is risky at night due to nocturnal predators such as owls and raccoons. Here are some tips to prevent chickens from climbing trees:

Firstly, build a secure chicken coop. Use quality wood and high-grade chicken wire to construct an elevated structure with latched doors and chicken wire windows. Ensure regular maintenance of the coop by keeping it clean and free of escape points. Check the latches, chicken wire, and platform for any holes or weaknesses that the chickens can exploit.

Secondly, train your chickens to enjoy being handled from a young age. Spend time holding them individually, giving them attention, and providing treats. This will make them more comfortable with human contact and less stressed when caught.

Thirdly, discourage chickens from roosting in trees by placing a fake owl in the branches, as chickens may be less likely to perch there due to predator instincts. However, this trick may not work for long as chickens are intelligent and may realize the owl is not a threat.

Additionally, you can try to provide food and water only inside their coop, enticing them to stay closer to the ground and away from trees. This method may help prevent their escape and keep them safer from predators.

Finally, if you notice a chicken in a tree, approach it quietly and slowly to avoid startling it. You can use a flashlight to locate the chicken, but be careful not to shine it directly at the bird. Once you are close enough, gently grab the chicken by scooping it up and holding it securely over the wings to prevent flapping. You can then return the chicken to its coop.

Tips for catching a chicken calmly

Prepare the Coop

A chicken coop is a structure that houses chickens. It is usually elevated with latched doors and chicken wire windows. Chicken wire prevents chickens from escaping and keeps predators out. Most coops have roosting bars for chickens to roost on and nesting boxes for them to lay eggs in.

Train Your Chickens

Handling your chickens from a young age will make them more comfortable with being held. Hold them individually, give them attention and treats, and then gently set them down after a few minutes. This will make them associate being handled with positive experiences.

Entice Your Chickens

If your chicken has escaped, entice it to return to the coop by placing treats, such as mealworms, inside. If your chicken is in a tree, you can try placing treats in the coop and closing the door after it goes inside. You can also try to coax your chickens into the coop by calling them.

Approach Calmly

When approaching a chicken, do so slowly and quietly. Avoid making sudden movements or loud noises, which may startle the chicken. If you are in a coop, point your flashlight towards the ground to avoid shining it directly into the chicken's eyes.

Catch the Chicken

Once you are close enough, gently scoop up the chicken, being careful to keep your hands or arms over its wings to prevent it from flapping. Hold the chicken close to your body, similar to how you would hold a pet. You can also try to catch the chicken by its legs, but avoid holding it upside down.

Using treats to lure a chicken

Luring chickens with treats is a great way to catch them without causing them distress. This method is particularly useful if you want to check your chickens for parasites, wounds, or other health issues.

First, you need to build trust with your chickens. Start by handling chicks frequently when they are young, giving them attention and treats, and setting them down gently when you're done. This will help the chickens associate you with positive experiences and make them more likely to approach you when you offer treats in the future.

When you're ready to lure a chicken with treats, you can use various options that chickens find irresistible. Mealworms, for instance, are a favourite among chickens, and they will happily follow you for some. You can also try vegetable scraps, frozen corn niblets, cheese (especially cheddar), or grains and seeds. If your chickens aren't interested in these options, you can try bread, but it should be used sparingly as it's not as nutritious for them.

Once you have your treats, there are several ways to lure the chicken. One method is to simply place the treats in an area where the chicken will find them, such as inside a chicken coop or crate, and then gently scoop up the chicken with your hands once it's distracted by the food. This method works best if the chicken already trusts you and is comfortable being handled.

Another method is to create a snare or trap using a piece of string or rope. Tie a slip knot to create a loop and place treats or scratch grain inside to attract the chicken. When the chicken enters the loop to eat the treats, the snare will tighten around it, allowing you to capture the chicken.

You can also use a box trap, a traditional method employed by farmers. Place a box upside down on the ground, propping it up slightly with a stick so that there is enough space for a chicken to enter. Tie one end of a string to the stick and place bait inside the box, preferably at the far end. When the chicken enters the box to eat the treats, pull the string, and the box will drop, securely containing the chicken.

By using treats to lure your chickens, you can safely and effectively catch them without causing them undue stress or harm.

The best equipment for catching chickens

Catching chickens, especially those that have escaped, can be a challenging task. Here is a list of the best equipment to help you catch chickens, whether they are in a tree, running loose, or in a coop:

Protective Gloves:

It is important to wear thick, protective garden gloves when catching chickens. This will help protect your hands from scratches or pecks and reduce the risk of infection from any wounds caused by the chicken's toenails, spurs, or beak.

Poultry Hook or Long Stick with a Hook:

If you are unable to catch a chicken with your hands, a poultry hook can be an effective tool. It is a long-handled stick with a wire hook at the end, used to catch the chicken by the leg and pull it toward you. Alternatively, a simple long stick can be used to herd chickens and guide them back to their coop or a desired location.

Net:

A long fishing net can be useful for snagging or pinning down a chicken without having to get too close. However, chickens will remember this method and may become wary of you in the future.

Bird Trap or Box Trap:

Bird traps are cages with a trip plate that shuts the cage when the chicken enters. You can bait the trap with treats like mealworms. This method is ideal for catching aggressive chickens without touching them.

Flashlight:

When catching chickens at night, a flashlight can help you locate and approach the birds quietly and gently. Point the light towards the ground to avoid startling the chickens.

Treats:

Mealworms, bread, and cracked corn can be used as bait to lure chickens back to their coop or a desired location.

Chicken Coop:

A well-maintained and secure chicken coop with quality wood, high-grade chicken wire, latches, and roosting bars can help prevent chickens from escaping and make it easier to catch them in a contained space.

Remember, it is always best to approach chickens slowly and quietly, avoiding sudden movements. Training your chickens to enjoy human company and handling can also make catching them a much easier task.

How to hold a chicken once caught

Once you've caught your chicken, it's important to know how to hold it safely and correctly. Here are some detailed instructions on how to do this:

Firstly, when approaching a chicken, do not chase it. Chasing will stress the chicken out and may make it skittish around you. If you need to move the chicken, gently corral it into a corner before attempting to pick it up.

When you are close enough, place your hands on the chicken. You can do this in one of two ways: place one hand on each side of the chicken's body, keeping its wings against its body, or place one hand in front of its chest and the other on its back to prevent it from moving forward or backward.

Once the chicken is still, place both hands firmly over its wings and around its body. You can then lift it towards you so that one side of the chicken is held firmly against your body. This will prevent it from injuring itself or jumping away. It is important to hold the chicken securely to avoid dropping it, as this could result in broken legs or damaged joints.

When holding the chicken, keep its legs secure by placing your middle finger between them and using your other fingers to wrap around the outside of each leg. You can then hold the chicken against your chest or between your ribs and upper arm. Keep your palm between the chicken's legs to prevent it from jumping or flapping its wings.

Always avoid squeezing the chicken, as this can restrict its breathing and cause internal injuries. Instead, hold it firmly but gently, allowing it to breathe freely. While holding the chicken, you can also take the opportunity to inspect its health by checking its comb, waddles, eyes, beak, legs, body, and feathers for any signs of injury or disease.

Finally, when you are ready to release the chicken, lift it away from your body and slowly remove your hands, making sure its feet are properly on the ground. You can then give it a treat and some praise to make the experience positive for the chicken.

Remember, the more you handle your chickens, the easier it will be for both you and the chicken, and the less stressful it will become for them.

Frequently asked questions