Catching a chicken

PUBLISHED: 14:49 13 September 2012 | UPDATED: 14:59 13 September 2012

Words and pictures by Martin Gurdon, author of the book Hen and The Art of Chicken Maintenance

Catching a chicken

Catching a chicken

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A step-by-step guide

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Contact Dudley Mallet at Highdown Poultry in Kent:

www.highdownpoultry.co.uk

Tel: 01233-850692

Email: Dudley.mallett@btinternet.com

Breeder Dudley Mallett continues his series of guides on how to carry out a range of simple tasks, this time how to catch a chicken.

YC_Website_Catching

1. When Dudley wants to catch one of his birds, he uses a large fishing net which costs about £12-£15.

2. Hens will become stressed after prolonged attempts at catching them. Lunging at them will only make this worse. Try to be decisive but calm.

3. Dudley keeps the net low to the ground. Hens are programmed to avoid air borne predators, and the net puts some distance between him and the birds he wants to catch. He isn’t looming over them.

4. Dudley uses a smooth, rapid sweeping motion when catching birds.

5. Chickens will often fly upwards to escape. Bringing the net over their heads mean they will fly into it. Here Dudley is twisting the net over this chicken as it takes off.

6. He keeps twisting the net round and lifts the bird off the ground.

7. This technique takes practice, as not everyone is willing to co-operate!

1. When Dudley wants to catch one of his birds, he uses a large fishing net which costs about £12-£15.

2. Hens will become stressed after prolonged attempts at catching them. Lunging at them will only make this worse. Try to be decisive but calm.

3. Dudley keeps the net low to the ground. Hens are programmed to avoid air borne predators, and the net puts some distance between him and the birds he wants to catch. He isn’t looming over them.

4. Dudley uses a smooth, rapid sweeping motion when catching birds.

5. Chickens will often fly upwards to escape. Bringing the net over their heads mean they will fly into it. Here Dudley is twisting the net over this chicken as it takes off.

6. He keeps twisting the net round and lifts the bird off the ground.

7. This technique takes practice, as not everyone is willing to co-operate!

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