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What the ....!!! Chickens won't come out of their run.
http://australianpoultryforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=61300		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  fluffybumfarm [ Fri Feb 16, 2018 8:38 am ]
Post subject:  What the ....!!! Chickens won't come out of their run.
So for months now since we first started free randing our flock they have been lined up 6 deep to be let out int he mornings. Yesterday, two of the 20 odd come out but went straight back in. Thought I would leave them to find their own way out as usual. As the morning progressed, still no chickens in the yard?

Went up and chased them out of their run but they just kept pouring back in!

Today, could not even tempt them out with live mealworms!!

Any suggestions????
Author:  rarechooknut [ Fri Feb 16, 2018 7:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What the ....!!! Chickens won't come out of their run.
Hi there fluff',
did your girls give you any clues like lots of cackling, or looking up a lot?
My girls seem to know when there's a hawk or snake around, or there's been an overnight visitor staking out the place. Since we adopted some greyhounds and a donkey, we haven't had near as many dramas with foxes and feral or wandering dogs.
Cheers,
Andrew
Author:  fluffybumfarm [ Sat Feb 17, 2018 11:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: What the ....!!! Chickens won't come out of their run.
rarechooknut wrote:
Hi there fluff',
did your girls give you any clues like lots of cackling, or looking up a lot?
My girls seem to know when there's a hawk or snake around, or there's been an overnight visitor staking out the place. Since we adopted some greyhounds and a donkey, we haven't had near as many dramas with foxes and feral or wandering dogs.
Cheers,
Andrew


Thanks for your reply Andrew :)

I haven't heard a thing. They are still reluctant to come out. There is a large canopy of very tall trees over their area but they are not looking up. I am thinking they are being visited at night by foxes as some came out yesterday afternoon. Their coop and runs are totally fox proof thank goodness. I have an adopted Greyhound also, but she is no use! Tucked up inside in her bed sound asleep all night lol
Author:  rarechooknut [ Sat Feb 17, 2018 1:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What the ....!!! Chickens won't come out of their run.
Yeah, my wife came home with three black sisters- unraced, not blooded, from a breeder in Casino who was going to put them down during the whole greyhound racing drama a year or two back. LAZIEST DOG BREED EVER.'Missus originally went there to get a fox terrier ...wtf?
However, they know who belongs and who doesn't and will chase anything that runs...like hares, foxes, etc.
They've never chased a chook or duck, and they're scared of geese.
I've now borrowed some trail cams that detect movement and will photograph anything that comes near. Try some of your hunting friends and see of they have them or are willing to come and rid you of any predators they find....as long as they don;t shoot towards stock, the house or neighbours!
Any carcases must be removed or will bring in more trouble.
Author:  HAPPYHENS [ Fri Feb 23, 2018 2:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What the ....!!! Chickens won't come out of their run.
fluffybumfarm wrote:
So for months now since we first started free randing our flock they have been lined up 6 deep to be let out int he mornings. Yesterday, two of the 20 odd come out but went straight back in. Thought I would leave them to find their own way out as usual. As the morning progressed, still no chickens in the yard?

Went up and chased them out of their run but they just kept pouring back in!

Today, could not even tempt them out with live mealworms!!

Any suggestions????

A fox has visited during the night or early morning and scared the pants off them, give it time and they will get back out there
Author:  sue55 [ Tue Mar 20, 2018 2:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What the ....!!! Chickens won't come out of their run.
Put the feed out side for a couple of days and see ;)
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