kiwichick Posted April 27, 2008 Share Posted April 27, 2008 I had a surprise visit yesterday from a friend and her daughter. Duly took them out to see the chickens as the daughter is mad keen on all animals. Daughter was determined to try and touch and/or pick up the chickens despite me telling her that my girls were still very shy and not to do it. Told them that too much excitement/stress/anxiety/fear could put them off laying. Ended up with her following (chasing it too strong a word) them all over the garden, hands outstretched and them running like crazy to get away from her. Well, this morning I had chickens squawking non-stop from sunrise til well after lunch. George was very late to lay her egg and Mildred just didn't lay at all. I think she tried to a couple of times but George made such a fuss at being left alone she gave up in the end. I tried so many things to settle them down but the only thing that worked was a bowl of rice and yoghurt with a hefty dose of Rescue Remedy mixed in. Haven't heard a peep out of them this afternoon. I didn't truly believe in the powers of Rescue Remedy but I've been converted. Grrr - other peoples kids I like kids.... really. On any given day I have one or two of my own gently used modles for sale by owner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 27, 2008 Share Posted April 27, 2008 Grrrr indeed. A peck might have been in order! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 27, 2008 Share Posted April 27, 2008 It's very hard to stop a determined child, isn't it! I think her mother should have told her not to chase them, though. I won't let mine out of the run unless I'm confident that visiting children will behave themselves. Must say my chickens aren't fazed by anything, fireworks, visitor's dog barking at the run, they still lay. I hope George & Mildred soon settle down! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted April 27, 2008 Share Posted April 27, 2008 (edited) Mine just end being stuffed with corn as we give the visiting kids handfuls of corn to feed to the girls and tell them the chickens will come to them - or I pick the chicken up and let them have a stroke so that are not chased. Hopefully they will be better today. Tracy Edited April 27, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutrix Farmers Posted April 27, 2008 Share Posted April 27, 2008 I agree with Egluntine a sharp peck would have put paid to the chasing! More established birds might have done just that! We have several friends with small children who haven't yet met the girls, but I will supervise them v closely and will not tolerate chasing at all. I'm quite prepared to tell them off if their parents don't - they're my chickens after all!! Interesting point about the Rescue Remedy though, I have a bottle of that in the cupboard (bought to help with those stressful moments at work!) Rice and yogurt? Not a combination I would have thought of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted April 27, 2008 Share Posted April 27, 2008 My four year old has taken to kicking a football straight at my girls. Apart from a squawk and rearrangement of feathers they don't seem too perturbed. Four year old has been assured that his much requested puppy will not be arriving until he can prove he is kind to the pets..... Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwichick Posted April 28, 2008 Author Share Posted April 28, 2008 My 4y.o likes to kick out at the chooks too (never made contact thank goodness) and they are unfazed by it but this little girl (8yo) really bugged them. I gave her cracked corn to feed them but she didn't like the pecking on her hand. To be fair, her mum did try and tell her to leave them alone, albeit very mildly, but she ignored her too. She also likes to squeeze the life out of our cat if she gets the chance. Needless to say I will not be letting her near my animals again without having a detailed list of rules posted on the garden gate, complete with a blackboard and chalk for her to sign her name agreeing to abide by them. No sign, no entry The chooks are back to laying normally today, but still hand shy. Perhaps more rescue remedy? Funny, I've always had it in the cupboard because "other people" swear by it but I've never used it myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duckmomma Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 Hi We have a new neighbour who has a four year old daughter, the little girl has taken to tapping on my front door each evening before her bed time to visit with our animals It's always the same routine First she has a look at the bantams chicks (and points to them in order of how naughty they are Then it's into the kitchen to tickle the Goslings and tell me which ones are boy or girl and what their names are Then we pop into the utility room to feed Alfalfa cubes to the rabbits after that it is a quick hello to our duck baby, who is always put out side during these visits as I have to keep an eye on her around children she is not used to as she has been turned off of kids by a very excitable eight year old boy Then it's back inside to visit the goslings and bantams again on the way out Even tho she is only four this little girl is so gentle and obedient, only once did I find her with a bantam chick in her chubby little hand, I gently told her not to pick them up as they were very fragile and might get hurt, since then all she does is gently stroke them with one finger Yet I know a nine year old girl who is so heavy handed I won't let her touch my animals at all, she could give them concussion just by stroking them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwichick Posted April 28, 2008 Author Share Posted April 28, 2008 I know a nine year old girl who is so heavy handed I won't let her touch my animals at all, she could give them concussion just by stroking them Yes, thats what this girl is like. "I love you so much I'm going to squeeze the life out of you" It sounds like your little neighbour is a real sweetie and she's having a great time on your farm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajm200 Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 What a nightmare for your girls if they aren't used to small children. I guess you'll have to set some ground rules before her next visit and have a quiet word with her mum. My toddler likes to follow the chickens round the garden and can't help squealing with excitement. The chickens just move out of his way and have only give him a peck when he's been a bit heavy handed. I was worried about the effect his behaviour might have on them but as they've had to put up with him from day one they cope quite well. At the weekend I even caught two of them following him down the crawl tunnel of his climbing frame but he did have a lump of cheese in his fist at the time and their tummys rule their heads every time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwichick Posted April 28, 2008 Author Share Posted April 28, 2008 I even caught two of them following him down the crawl tunnel of his climbing frame but he did have a lump of cheese in his fist at the time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 Now i understand why animals sometimes eat their young... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 I would have a nice big sign erected on your gate saying 'Henter at your own risk' Troy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duckmomma Posted April 28, 2008 Share Posted April 28, 2008 Now i understand why animals sometimes eat their young... when my kids were babies I used to say "Oooh your so sweet I wish I could eat you" There are times now I wish I had Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwichick Posted April 28, 2008 Author Share Posted April 28, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...