Rebels going to freeze

Date sort Score sort

yurty

Chirping
8 Years
Apr 23, 2016
15
4
79
Hello. The last chicks I raised never got comfortable with me. I mean full on panic whenever I opened crate even after weeks. Never had a problem with my other birds over the years. They were hand-gentle before I put them outside. Anyway, outside the rebels went and despite me placing them by hand into the coop at night, they decided to outwit me by sleeping in a tree. So I went out after dark each night pulled them off their tree and put them in the coop. They nest so high in the tree now I can't reach them even with a ladder. Due to hawks and testicles this is now a group of three, two of which are bantams. They're going to freeze tonight. Supposed to be 27°. I don't mind hearing my mistakes, but I'd really like some suggestions that could help them, if they survive the night.
 
yurty said:
I'd really like some suggestions that could help them, if they survive the night.
Click to expand...
Sounds very frustrating.. when all you wan to do is protect them.

If you're able to catch them again.. consider homing them to the coop by keeping them locked in for several days up to a couple weeks, so they can learn that it is the safe place.

yurty said:
They're going to freeze tonight. Supposed to be 27°.
Click to expand...
It's possible they could catch frostbite. I'd be surprised if they actually died to to the cold.. their feathers should be covering their feet and they may be able to tuck their heads in.

yurty said:
They nest so high in the tree now I can't reach them even with a ladder.
Click to expand...
Consider getting an extendable tool, fishing net, dog catching pole, etc .. of some sort that may give you an extended reach. Or maybe borrowing a taller ladder?

Maybe rig up a "cat" trap and feed them inside, to try and catch them.. to then go on lock down inside the coop for "homing"?

 
27F is nothing to chickens, I wouldn't worry about them freezing. Still, predators are a very real concern so I would attempt to home them to their coop if you catch them
 
EggSighted4Life said:
Sounds very frustrating.. when all you wan to do is protect them.

If you're able to catch them again.. consider homing them to the coop by keeping them locked in for several days up to a couple weeks, so they can learn that it is the safe place.


It's possible they could catch frostbite. I'd be surprised if they actually died to to the cold.. their feathers should be covering their feet and they may be able to tuck their heads in.


Consider getting an extendable tool, fishing net, dog catching pole, etc .. of some sort that may give you an extended reach. Or maybe borrowing a taller ladder?

Maybe rig up a "cat" trap and feed them inside, to try and catch them.. to then go on lock down inside the coop for "homing"?

Click to expand...
I've tried both of those. Broke my fishing net and they refused to enter crate.
 
Sally PB said:
Can you lock them in the coop for a week, or at least a few days? That might train them where home is.
Click to expand...
I've never quite understood that. If I lock them up in the coop, where do the other birds go? I have three full grown chickens living in the coop now. I guess I could hand catch them and shove them in each night while holding back the other ones. Doesn't seem very organic.
 

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