I talk to my chicks every time I feed, water or interact with them in any way starting from the day they arrive, and I especially use "chook chook" when I give them treats, and they have all learned really really fast. I'm on my third batch of chicks and each group has successfully learned to find me when I say that phrase. I don't let them out in a really big area until they come running every time, and it doesn't take long. You could do it at first inside the coop - just figure out a phrase they can easily pick out....
hth,
Parker
--- In CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com, "zilla963" <zilla963@...> wrote:
>
> ok.. let me first say patience is not a virtue I am good at...
>
> Over the weekend we started letting the 2week chicks out of the coop and hang out in the run... when the weather has been good
> First time we had to shoo a few out... a few followed .. some stayed in..
> Second time they ALL went out on their own and have been doing this since then... (loving the freedom and the bugs etc)
>
> My trouble is getting them back in... Its been cooling off in the evening so I didnt want to wait till dusk for fear they may get too cold .. one night we went out to dinner ( and wouldnt be back till well after dark/cold) and another day a storm was rolling in ( cold/wet) so we have had to "herd" them back into the coop for the night...
>
> and its not going too well... the first night we had to chase/catch all 30 of them and put them in the coop...( wih a big treat inside)
> Second night i showed them the treat and they saw me toss it inside.. I was hoping they would follow.. no luck .. so again we had to chase/catch...
>
> Last night was a bit better ... 2 went in to eat the treat... 1 ran up the ramp and went inside while being chased .. the rest had to be caught and placed inside...
>
> ( we tried to herd them towards the ramp, but they tend to run under it to hide than run up it and inside)
>
> I tried to sprinkle a treat onto the ramp.. but they stop to eat and not continue inside...
>
> Any ideas to speed up the process of teaching them to go to bed??
>
> I guess I am spoiled because my dogs know when I am getting ready for bed and beat me there.. I dont have to herd/chase them...
>
CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
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