Routine

Patience is not a trait often associated with chickens. But, every morning I endeavor into the basement to get the treats and upon my return I am met with this general image….

It is because we have a routine and they stop there because they are a little apprehensive about venturing into the basement. Routine is great for chickens. They know Husband will let them out of the run at 6:30 or so and that when I come out of the house and venture into the basement, it’s treat time. It’s at the same time every day, even on weekends, and sometimes if I am late they will gather at the back door as if to remind me. Treat time is doled out in the run of course. Which makes it super easy to get them back in before I go to work each day.

A trick I also use is shaking the container I use everyday for the treats before I give them out. This is just like Pavlov and his dog. They can tell from across the yard it’s time to go in at any time of day by a shake of the container.

Now, we have to remember, they are chickens. This works nine times out of ten. I keep a five foot stick for herding just in case. They see the stick and know I mean business. All you have to do is hold it behind them in the opposite direction you want them to go. They will learn where they are going pretty quickly, especially if the stick means they are going to the same place every time. See….routine.