Cyber Chook Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 I'm waiting very patiently til my girls have settled in, (they only arrived on Tuesday), but I'm wondering how I can physically get closer to them later on, to be able to pick them up. They're in a cube. I stroke them and talk chicken-talk to them at bedtime when they're all cute and sleepy, via the sliding top. Mind you, it's probably just as well that I can't pick them up yet, as I feel a bit like a 3-year-old with that urge to squeeeeze them with too much love. Must calm down... deep breaths... Am I being thick, or is there a way that I can pick them up if they're not free-ranging? Unfortunately, our garden has plenty of gaps for an adventurous chicken to go a-wandering. Project of the summer is making the garden escape-proof, but in the meantime, any suggestions please Caroline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbey Road Girl Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 You can try picking them up when they are in the Cube and sleepy. For myself, I'm not sure I'd rry that though. Have a picture of the hen flapping away into the darkened garden... I'd say block all the exits asap and let them out of the run. When they begin crouching about a week or so before they are ready to lay, it should be easy to pick them up. Just remember to clasp their wings gently but firmly to their body! Children are often more confident than us and the hens sense that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 Try getting them out of the cube for a cuddle after they have gone to roost. They do tend to be dozier and less likely to flap and struggle. It will help them to get used to being handled as well. Go for it - have a cuddle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 chicken cuddles are lovely, especially when they make lovely little noises when you stroke them mine are new to being held (only had them 8 days) so I just waited until they were settled a bit gained their trust by giving them treats in the evening, Sugar takes from my hand now, well thats's more of a snatches from my hand Good luck, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 I started off by feeding my chickens mixed corn from a treat bowl. For the first day I let them eat. Second day onwards, I would move my hand to slowly stroke one of them. Initially, the hen moved away and stoped eating, then would come back, and then I would try again. Eventually, greed gets the better of them and they will eat while you stroke them. It can take a few days. From there you can move to offering the treat bowl, and picking your chosen chook up, then rewarding her by feeding her from the treat bowl. I then moved on to picking up and putting down the girls several times in each treat session. Now, after they have had an initial foray into the bowl as soon as I take it away one or two of them (never Delilah), turns round and crouch waiting to be picked up. Slow and steady I say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg Lou Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 Hazel thats sounds like a really nice gentle idea and one I will pinch when I get my girls next month! Browsing the threads is an absolute goldmine to newbies like me! Lou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 Ditto to all the above . Remember too that they'll be a lot easier to pick up once they start crouching . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyber Chook Posted May 5, 2008 Author Share Posted May 5, 2008 Thankyou for all your replies. Yes, I love to hear their contented little coo's. WitchHazel, I liked the sound of what you did, and will try to adapt it. The difficulty is not having a run that I can get into. If I was to stroke one of them, the others are soon crowding around the exit craning their necks and trying to squeeze past my legs. Sigh. I can see another project looming, building them a run extension big enough for us to walk into. I think that'll make all the difference. And I hadn't thought about the crouching down aspect either, looking forward to those times What a great site and thanks again Caroline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 Sigh. I can see another project looming, building them a run extension big enough for us to walk into. I think that'll make all the difference. thats what we started 24hrs after getting them home.. it's now well under way to nearing competion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 My Pepperpot has a strong wing flap and is still a bit feisty so when i pick her up-i clasp my hands firmly around body covering the wings and then lock my little fingers behind her legs.She then cannot struggle and calms down making little buc buc noises. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisaroo2 Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 I want to start picking my girls up to but they won't come near me when I put the food in the run. They aren't that fond of the treats I'm supplying so I guess I'll just have to persevere? Rosie did let me stroke her last night when she'd gone to bed so I suppose this is a step in the right direction? Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 We've had our chickens 3 weeks today and I've only picked one up today for the first time! I have been stroking them everyday and OH has been picking them up, however Betty is very independent and whilst she is getting used to us and will let us stroke her ever so slightly now, we haven't picked her up yet - she is work in progress. We have taken it a little at a time and a lot slower than most by the sounds of it, but we are getting there and you will too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisaroo2 Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 Have just sat at the entrance of the run for 10 mins, they ignored me! Oh well, I'll get em, just take longer than I thought! What upset me most was the fact that dearest hubbie-to-be appears and they make soft noises at him! Mmmmmm Lisa (new un noticed mum to Daisy, Maisie, Rosie in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jomaxsmith Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 I don't tend to pick mine up for cuddles as they tend to go catatonic and look as if they are enduring rather than enjoying the attention! I do, however, try to handle them regularly as it makes them easier to catch and also to do chores like dusting them for mites. My children are desperate to cuddle them and the thing they find works is to pet them when they're distracted by food or in their dustbath. As OP said, once they are crouching they are easier to catch - although my does an impression of Road Runner if you approach and my only crouches if she knows there's no way she can get away! My crouches if I get anywhere within 3 paces, and usually when I'm trying to walk where she is so that she crouches and I fall over her! Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
