Step 1: Wait until dusk, when the light is dim and the chickens have decided upon a roosting spot. I usually find the roosting when I am about to feed the horses.
Step 2: Find out where they are roosting. They are usually in the hayloft in the rafters. Fortunately I can almost hit my head on the roof, so they’re not too far from reach.
Step 3: Turn off all barn lights. Chickens can’t see well (or at all) in the dark. Make sure to let your eyes adjust, no need to catch a wall or rafter board with your head instead of a chicken.
Step 4: Stalk the chickens like a cat. Crawl slowly up the ladder or steps and pinpoint which chicken you would like first.
Step 5: Get as close as you can to your chosen chicken, stay low and in the dark. They will sense you but not know to move.
Step 6: Locate and aim for the legs, if the chicken is higher than you. If they are lower, aim for grabbing the entire back including wings.
Step 7: Grab ‘em, cage ‘em.Never grab for the tail or neck, you’ll either end up being flogged or with a handful of feathers (true story).
Step 8: Put them in a chicken hutch or slaughter them for dinner. We put them in a hutch so they would lay eggs…. I think.
*Note that none of the animals were intentionally harmed during this episode. One did lose her tail feathers but that was totally accidental, another flew into a few things,and the third didn’t have a chance to hurt herself. Otherwise, all chickens are completely healthy and will be given ample food and water and loving. They were quite docile when handled, just hard to catch.
PS – will add more pictures later.
I worked for a fella that raised the hens from chicks prior to being egg layers. He had a long wire, like a coat hanger, with a hook at one end. He could snag them by the leg and do what ever needed to be done. He was very quick at this. I on the other hand missed more then I caught. I forgot to say, this only worked after they were fairly big.