Tips on Proper Catching, Handling and Caring for Chickens

When your chickens get loose and out of the coop, you will have a hard time trying to catch them. They will always try to get away from you.  This is also true if you just want to catch them in order to be able to check their health or get them ready to be sold or butchered. 

Unlike dogs, chickens are not naturally groomed for petting.  It is hard to catch them no matter how familiar you are to them.  The easiest way to catch them is to feed them first and after they have started to eat their food, you can already take them.  They are best taken by their legs and never hold them by their wings or tails as this can make them run away from you.  Stress is bad for their health especially to hens that are groomed for laying.


There are times that the chickens will think that you are also a chicken intending to mate with them so they would get themselves ready for it and lie down making them easier to catch.  Always grab the chicken at the legs to protect yourself against getting scratched when they try to get away.  Support its body with one hand while grasping the legs with the other hand.

Constant handling of the chickens and making them get used to the human touch is necessary especially if one should get sick and you need to check it up and find out what’s wrong with it.  In time the chickens will become familiar with you and they will not make too much noise when you pick them up.


If you see that the dropping tray is almost full, empty it immediately, you can make compost out of chicken droppings which you can use to fertilize plants and vegetables.  It is also possible to put the droppings directly to your garden to fertilize it and make it provide you with fresh, healthy vegetables.


Constantly move the chicken coop so that the grass underneath it will not wither and die.  Whenever you notice that the grass is turning brown, move the coop immediately.  This would also enable you to clean the area and make it disease free.  To make sure that the chickens are always well, pick them up and check them for any signs of sickness.  What’s more, be sure that the coop is always clean and the shavings fresh.