kiwichick Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 My chickies are approaching 20 weeks and things are all good. Their combs, ears and wattles are growing and getting quite red and they are getting more and more used to us each day. They will eat from my hand, come running if i call them and chase my 4 year old around the garden for his crisps. They are not ready to let me pet them or pick them up yet and so I was wondering whether they would still crouch for me when they are getting ready to lay. Is it a reflex action that all chickens do regardless of how much handling they've had Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 They are not ready to let me pet them or pick them up yet and so I was wondering whether they would still crouch for me when they are getting ready to lay. Is it a reflex action that all chickens do regardless of how much handling they've had Usually the two go hand-in-hand, unless you have a very tame chicken. My Speckledy didn't like being touched when she wasn't in lay, so the only time I got to pet her was when she crouched for me. It's an instinctive action that they do when they are in breeding condition, so if her comb is turning red she should start doing quite soon - expect eggs about a week later Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 My two weren't happy to be picked up at all until they started to crouch (then they had no option ) but they have got tamer since then and now dont mind being held for a while and will quite happily sit on my lap for some time. Oh and Prada loves being held if it means she gets her feet washed which she adores Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 Some of mine crouch if I just happen to be walking by. We take over the role of the rooster apparently. One of mine....Artemis Fowl....has never crouched and is impossible to catch without a landing net, but she croons happily on the rare occasions that I do get to give her a cuddle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 The two that feed from my hand from the week we had them are now crouching and easy to get hold of - the more timid light sussex has never crouched, but was first to start laying and still timid of humans. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolatedog Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 They are not ready to let me pet them or pick them up yet and so I was wondering whether they would still crouch for me when they are getting ready to lay. Is it a reflex action that all chickens do regardless of how much handling they've had Usually the two go hand-in-hand, unless you have a very tame chicken. My Speckledy didn't like being touched when she wasn't in lay, so the only time I got to pet her was when she crouched for me. It's an instinctive action that they do when they are in breeding condition, so if her comb is turning red she should start doing quite soon - expect eggs about a week later My speckled star (and the other 2) are all in lay - but it's only Ginger who crouches for me - the other 2 run a mile......the only time I've ever been able to handle Spice (Speckled Star) is when she was broody in January and I was constantly having to lift her out of the nesting box to let the other 2 in!!! Since then she's returned to her old habits of dodging my hands........ Occasionally I can catch Pepper but she's not keen either...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwichick Posted March 2, 2008 Author Share Posted March 2, 2008 Oh and Prada loves being held if it means she gets her feet washed which she adores Do you paint her nails and give her a massage at the same time? :lol: So the general consensus is maybe they will crouch and maybe they won't. George is the more outgoing of the two so if if either of them will let me pick them up it will be her. OTOH Mildred is lower in the pecking order so maybe it will be her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...