bimbodesign Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Just wanting to say hello! J & D have just arrived and are clucking happily... I've never even been in contact with a chicken before so a little nervous about looking after them. I want to hold them but nervous - those claws look big! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Hello and welcome to the forum. You are just up the road from me! Go on....pick them up....they will be more nervous of you that you are of them. Have you got an Eglu? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bimbodesign Posted February 21, 2008 Author Share Posted February 21, 2008 I've got a green Eglu, I helped clip their wings but the nice Omlet man was holding them - I was told if I try and pick them up at dawn they'll be nice abd dozy... I'll give it a whirl then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Either at dawn or dusk, they are resonably easy to pick up when they are close to laying because they crouch down when you come near because they see you as head of the flock (cockerel but we won't go into that ) If you are firm but gentle you will be fine get hold of them around their wings with both hands holding their wings to your body then tuck them under your arm or put them on your knee but wear old trosers because they don't wipe their feet Good luck they are great fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 I know what you mean about the claws.... I used to be frightened of giving mine their treats too, as they come ready to peck and I can be a right coward!! I never think of ours as chickens... I think of them as raptors in feathers... I've got better since, though, I quite like holding them... and they are quite happy to be stroked too... one piece of advise though, don't wear clean clothes when holding them!!! I've gone mad at my daughter more than once for going out to give them a hug wearing her school uniform cream coloured blouse!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMO Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 Welcome to the forum! They'll soon get used to you and won't mind being picked up at all. You might get the odd peck at first but once they realise you are not edible they tend not too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 I used to have to put rubber gloves on before I picked mine up! Green Eglu.....great choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...