moomin Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 hi all I have had my chickens just over a week and I would like to get them used to being handled. They are quite little, 9 & 11 weeks, so far I have managed to stroke the Cochin, whilst she's in the run during the day and also when they are tucked up in bed. She doesn't like it; she cheeps like mad but she lets me do it. The Barnevelder, Bobbie, is having none of it, when I try to touch her she runs away although I did pick her out of the egg-port the other morning for a minute or two but I could feel her little heart beating like mad against my hand, so I put her back. What should I do, persist and keep trying to get them used to being handled? Or leave it a few weeks until they are a bit older? I don't want to stress them out, they cheep like mad when I try to pick them up so they are obviously not happy. If I don't try to touch them they are fine they come really near to me and Skye even pecked some food out of my hand yesterday. Need your experience and expertise please!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 Evening Moomin! Try taking them out an hour or so after it gets dark and giving them a little cuddle. Keep them close to your body and their feet tucked in, so they feel safe. Hand feeding is a good way of building up trust. They will become tamer when they start laying and easier to catch when they squat! Good luck C x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 Persist.....it will pay off. They don't usually mind being handled at night when they have gone into drowsy mode. It will make you more confident if you "practice" on them like this. Once they start laying they will be much friendlier! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted April 19, 2008 Author Share Posted April 19, 2008 Thank you Christian I think what I am doing wrong is going out to them too early in the evening, I should maybe wait a bit longer so they are more sleepy. The Barnevelder has HUGE legs and feet!! Won't be too easy tucking those in but I shall give it a go!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted April 19, 2008 Author Share Posted April 19, 2008 Thanks Egluntine, I am really nervous about doing it but I've got to force myself I think! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 I'd keep picking them up so they get used to being handled while young.Try baiting them with a little mixed corn in the palm of your hand first so they see you as a provider.Then once they're near-pick them up from behind holding the wings firm so they cant flap.Then hold her against your chest keeping the other wing under control and give her some fuss cos they do like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayflower Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 What I have done with mine seems to work. I get into the run with them and clean out the henhouse and the run, and at first did not attempt to pick them up. In fact, I ignored them....just like you do with a new cat .Because I do this regularily, they have got used to me being in there, and so now I am able to stroke their backs and pick them up without them getting upset. I would NOT attempt picking them up in the morning. This is the 'busy time' for hens when they are eating their basic life food and scratching around. Also lining up to use the nest box. Late afternoon is the best and when they have first entered the henhouse at dusk. It is important to be able to pick them up so that you can check them over and give them red mite dusting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted April 20, 2008 Share Posted April 20, 2008 Agree with the others - just keep trying! I was scared when I first got ours and only hubby would pick them up. Now I dont give it a second thought. I thought that "I would damage them or hold them wrong". But they really are more robust than you think. The more you do it - the more it will pay off when they are older - you will gain their trust and become lovely and tame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted April 20, 2008 Share Posted April 20, 2008 (edited) This is how I tamed mine, might work for you. For the first couple of days, I put some mixed corn in a bowl, crouched on the ground and offered them the bowl. After a few days, I started trying to stroke each chook as she guzzled. Initially, each chook would move away when I put my hand out or touched them, but greed overcame their fear. After a few days, I could stroke each chicken and they didn't flinch or stop eating. After about a week, I gave them their treat bowl, then I took it away, and picked each chicken up in turn and offered her sole access to the treat bowl. Delilah ate immediately. Lydia and Scarlett took a day or two to eat while being held. After a week of this, I started picking them up several times in a session. Now they runup to me and turn round and crouch waiting to be picked up Hope that helps. Edited April 20, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted April 20, 2008 Share Posted April 20, 2008 I am interested in this topic too. We got our girls last Sunday and we haven't managed to picked them up yet. We have just started letting them out for a little bit each day and we give them corn in our hand. Whilst they are getting more confident and coming right up to us, the minute we try to stroke them etc they flap! Are we trying too soon/doing something wrong or do we just carry on as we are and they will get used to us eventually? We also need to get a bit more confident handling them too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted April 21, 2008 Author Share Posted April 21, 2008 Evening all Well last night I went out there about an hour after they'd gone to bed. I was really nervous, I got my husband to come with me so he could close the egg port door after I'd got the first one out incase the other escaped!! I cuddled the Cochin first, she was just like a cushion of grey fluff, she's put on loads of weight since I first held her just over a week ago at the breeders!! She protested a bit but I think I was doing it right, her feet were really warm!! The I put her back and stroked Bobbie, she cheeped a bit but stayed still so I could stroke her. Tonight it's Bobbie's turn to be picked up, and Skye's turn to be stroked - I'll carry on like this for a while until they are used to me. Poachedegg I can highly recommend practising at night when they are all dozy! I'm going to try the feeding method as well that WitchHazel suggested when they get a bit more used to me - they are both gannets so that should help!! Thanks for your help guys don't know what I'd do without you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 Well done Moomin! Sounds like you are making excellent progress Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraJ Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 poachedegg be patient it will happen, mine have been with us for 6 weeks now and i'm only just feeling confident to pick them up. It really is so much easier now Ebony crouches and she also seems to want the attention now, Amber i can pick up but its harder but shes fine once i have her. Ruby still won't let me so i'm just going to be patient, she will get there in the end i'm sure. I have a wooden house and the roof is not that easy to remove so havent had the chance to do night lifting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 hi moomin I promise you, beofre long you'll be picking them up and putting them down without a second thought. I can't believe hens are so cuddly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted April 22, 2008 Author Share Posted April 22, 2008 I can't believe hens are so cuddly! They are cuddly WitchHazel you're right!! The cochin is more cuddly 'cos her feathers are really soft, the barnevelders feathers are more 'crispy' if you know what I mean! Last night I spoke a bit too soon because Bobbie (BV), flapped a bit when I picked her up, I don't think I had her wings secure enough, so I had to put her down. But she makes a fuss about lots of things whereas Skye is a lot more laid back. But it's nice that they've both got their own little characters already. Skye took a worm out of my son's hand today, they really can't resist them, they hoover them up in one mouthful! They only get one a day each though 'cos I want them to eat the pellets! But I will try again tonight for a cuddle, slow but sure is a good approach I think I'm so glad I've got u lot to ask else I'd be still panicking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phosphorus Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 Great topic - need to know all I can on this too. Hopefully getting my girls this Saturday - only 4 more days to go That is if we finish the run in time Still need to hang the doors and put the roof on Weldmesh is done though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...