Solitary chicken - need advice

[suzie72]

Right, I am now getting really annoyed with myself.......we have had our girls for a week now and I just haven't managed to pick one up and it's really annoying me! We had a go at catching one when we let them free range for the first time the other day - I got my hands on one of them and it flapped it's wings and squawked loads so I let go! I've just been out to try and get one from it's house while they are getting sleepy and they both scarpered before I managed to get one - it's so annoying

 

Please can someone give me a helping hand and some advice on how to pick one up for the first time? I thought I was fine about it but I'm worried that it won't like it and will peck me - am I being a bit pathetic?!

[cluckbok]

They shouldn't peck you, ours never have.

 

The best way is to put your hands one either side on each wing and pick them up, then bring them in to you so you got one wing against your body and the other being held by your right hand and open your hand hearest the hens head (left) with your fingers apart then put their legs in between your fingers. If they fidget a bit you just give their legs a gentle squeeze and they then keep still. The main thing is to keep hold of their wings.

 

I was really apprehensive the first time but once you done it, you can't stop picking them up for cuddles!!

[Lapinou]

Well....hardly experienced, but I picked up one of ours on my own this afternoon. I took it from the nesting box as we'd been advised and just gritted my teeth and was decisive about it. The next time, I tried it just by the door of the run and the chicken flapped and I got the willies. It is about being swift and decisive but gentle, I think, and that's where doing it through the egg port is helpful because the chicken doesn't have the space to flap around too much - and you can 'grab' them when they're fairly still. We found shutting the eglu door, opening the egg port, waiting for the chicken to settle and then going for it was the best way.

 

HTH

[suzie72]

Thanks Clare,

 

It's good to know it's not just me who gets a bit flustered when the chickens flap their wings! I'll give it another go tomorrow night. The guy who set ours up suggested trying it when they go in at night - do you think this is the best time? I just don't want to wake them up if they've gone to sleep.....then again, they're not children who you don't want to wake up at night are they?!!

[Lapinou]

No idea - our set up guy said the same though. One of ours has been spending all this afternoon inside the eglu so she's been easy to hold anyway. Am determined to get good at it though - mustn't look like a wuss in front of my children

[Stevie]

The squawking and flapping is a defence mechanism-ignore it and clasp your hands firmly around the top holding the wings in.Tempting them close with tasty treats like corn works very well.Try scattering a little around your feet so they accept your presence while stuffing their faces.

 

Then eventually,you can try holding a dish on your lap with corn and see if they will hop on for feed.Can work other way though-i cant sit down outside now without them leaping onto my lap.

[cluckbok]

yeah good idea from Stevie give them some corn in a bowl on your lap or sprinkle around the ground where you standing and they will be like putty in your hands.

[AJuff]

Try picking them up after they have settled down at night. They are genearally quite sleepy and don't mind being handled then. Once they get used to you they will come quite readily.

[Egluntyne]

Picking them out of the Eglu once they have gone to bed is a good idea.

 

It gets you used to handling then whilst they are drowsy and unlikely to flap about.

[Olly]

You're not alone Suzie, this took me a while! I still don't handle mine a lot, they are not really cuddly, but I make a point of picking them up when they are out, so they get used to it.

 

Firmness is essential - if you hesitate, they'll start flapping and that is horrible. They don't usually peck aggressively, but if you have a hand with a tempting shiny ring anywhere near the head end, they may investigate it!

[superjules]

Mine only peck at anything that might be food as Olly says, rings, watch straps, any dirt under my fingernails !

 

Be firm because if they catch you with a flapping wing that is clipped you might get scratched.

 

Mine aren't particularly cuddly, but I like to pick them up to check them over for lice, etc. a few times a week. Before they started laying they were impossible to catch though, so don't worry.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Persevere! It does get easier . You just have to learn how firmly you can hold them (you can be pretty firm!)

 

I don't think anyone has mentioned squatting? When your girls come into lay they will squat when you come near them (they think you're a cockeral and are "offering" themselves, little hussies ). If you hold a flat hand just above their backs, they will flatten their bodies and do a little wiggle and you can easily pick them up.

Edited June 20, 2008 by Guest

[suzie72]

Some really great advice - thanks everyone, I'm going to have another go tonight so will let you know how it goes! I'm determined to get them used to it

[Gamebird]

I used bribery i.e. grapes and they will soon be sitting on your lap begging for more.

 

However, as ANH says when they start laying they will crouch when you approach them thinking you are the cockerel about to do the deed.

 

Having said that my two ginger rangers have never crouched and have no intention of doing so.