Catching and picking up hens!

Our cockerels come running immediately and stand nearby watching intently to make sure we are not hurting their hen. Sometimes they do get in the way as well and if we take the hen back to the house they follow all the way to the gate and stand there looking very upset. Catching the cockerels (apart from Bottom) to separate them can be even more of a problem though.
 
I have found that the easiest way to catch chickens that don't want to be caught is to give them until full dark on their roost. Then I can walk in and catch any one I want. My roost are 4 feet off the ground. I reach under and find the feet of the one I want, grasp them, put one hand over it's back and lift it off the perch and lower it under the roost and I have it in my grasp. If the roost is lower the same can be done reaching from above and lifting the chicken up. They may thrash their wings and hit you with them.

If my hens are roosting on the nest I wrap my arm over their wings holding both with one arm and lifting her with the other hand. Grasping the feet in one hand works best. Usually this works well. The more I handle them the less they fight being handled. They come to accept they are safe with you. Best of luck with them. :)
 
One useful tip while I remember Sue, after picking up mad Molly today. When you have picked them up, facing you, with both hands, they will struggle. Put them down immediately and pick them up immediately. Keep doing this until they settle down. Next time it will be easier and eventually, if you pick them up regularly, they won't struggle at all. Might find ticking their neck or stroking their wattles upwards under the chin helps.
 
We catch hundreds of free range hens. Best way is with a catching net. Be careful to get one of the right size hoop, right handle length and right mesh size that won't tangle up with the hen.
 
Isn't that a bit terrifying for them Durhamhens. Sure its OK practice commercially but not for a small keeper. When they've been caught once they will recognise the net and do anything to escape it -with potential injuries.
 
No its much less stressful for you and especially the hens. I've put two video clips on You Tube , you'll see what I mean. Just search "how to catch a hen durham" I'd put the link but I don't think it is allowed on this forum.
 
My two new hens were caught with a net by the breeder. He always uses a net and I can see why as he would never catch them otherwise. I went into the run with a broom the other day and they obviously thought it was a net and ran a mile!!! Took me a minute to realise why they were so frightened, but then I realised - the broom!!!
 
sunflower seeds always work for me(feed them from one hand and catch with other) and quick hand-always got one whenever I had to.I never chase a chicken-pointless.
 
DurhamHens said:
No its much less stressful for you and especially the hens. I've put two video clips on You Tube , you'll see what I mean. Just search "how to catch a hen durham" I'd put the link but I don't think it is allowed on this forum.
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Have watched this video and I have to say I prefer to handle my hens a little more gently! I understand if you have a lot of hens in a large space you may need to do this, but it's certainly not for me.
 
This video looked OK to me if you had to catch a hen not used to you in a large space. Of course you would need to move slowly and gently and not wave the net about, then it would be easier. Certainly better than stressing her out by chasing her around, and preferable to what I have seen one keeper do, ie using a leg hook to grab the bird by the leg and then catch it up. But I do think that, with a few birds of one's own, it's best to put in the time rewarding and taming them to come to you, so then no problems or stress for anyone, as Tygrysek says.
 
My hens too go ape whenever I am in the garden with a rake, spade, brush or length of wood, I had always wondered why, thanks Sue for putting the pieces together. Not keen on the nets myself for small domestic keepers, sure fire way to guarantee your chickens avoid you. If you put a bit of time in with them then all that you should need is a few bits of their favourite food like Marigold and Tygrysek have said.
 
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