Feral chickens

[beagle1]

We have family of feral chickens who live in our garden - and the neighbouring properties. There is a rather noisy old rooster, and a couple of hens, plus a younger immature cockerel. They provide hours of amusement, but one hen has recently produced 9 chicks. At this rate of reproduction, we may be overpopulated very soon! I'd quite like to harvest the eggs, but I was too late in finding where the hen was sitting. Is there any way we can domesticate them properly? Any suggestions?

[lankeela]

Feed them regularly and whilst they are feeding, put a wire fence round them. Give them a small hutch and they will go in there on a night, and hopefully the chooks will lay their eggs in there if you give them some straw. Once they are used to the hutch they will return and you can let them out to 'free range' again. Well, thats the theory!

[ruthann58]

beagle 1, have you got a beagle? you are lucky your neighbours dont moan about the cockerel. ours do miserable beggers

[lankeela]

Or have you been to Mars?