sparkysmum Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 Hi folks. We're into week 3 and all's going well Happy girls and lots of eggs. The kids love them as do all the neighbours children and I was wondering if anyone had any taming suggestions as this might stop the children and hens running around the garden We've tried offering tasty treats but clearly not tasty enough. Is there anything they just can't refuse Love to hear from you. PS both girls are ex batts - if that makes any difference. Thanks Allison & Co Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandychick Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 Dried mealworms!! Mine go mad for them.....Willow jumps up and stands on my arm in an attempt to get them before the others! I also find these very useful to get them back in the run if I'm in a hurry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 Try to get them used to being handled and encourage the children not to chase them. Useful article from the FAQ section **here** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 Congratulations on becoming an Eggsistentialist, Egluntine . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 Eh? Oh! Hadn't noticed. Thanks. Must get out more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted July 14, 2008 Author Share Posted July 14, 2008 Thanks Sandychick and Eggluntine, going to track down mealworms today. Thanks also for link to FAQ Allison & Co Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 Mine won't touch mealworms! it's so wierd how they go on, isn't it?? All of mine would do anything for a peice of grape, though. If you possibly can, stop the kids from chasing them around - this will reinforce how scary human beings are, and make taming them a whole lot more difficult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph101 Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 We hand fed ours Dorset Cereals museli, which they always go mad for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 Wow, your girls are posh . I balk at buying that for us (but I do, 'cos it's lovely!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph101 Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 I love it - half price in Waitrose at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 Oh goody, I might pop in tomorrow (and then spend £70 thus completely cancelling out any saving ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted July 14, 2008 Author Share Posted July 14, 2008 Hi folks, thanks for all your suggestions. Have ordered 2 bags of mealworms - just hope they like them and will send OH out for muesli and grapes ( he's much more of a shopper than me ) Fingers crossed for hand fed hens - we will report back soon Allison & co Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchlayer Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 ooh we get dorset cereals here as well, very expensive, We have to double check the dates, because they don't sell very much at that price and so it is nearly always going out of date. I was going to ask for it cheap, but my OH said he would be too embarrassed for me to go to reception and ask for a reduction because it was going out of date at the end of the month ! I know it would be perfectly ok to eat, I would be happy to pay a couple of euros for it, but not full price with a week to go. Yes I know it gets eaten within a week Sorry, yes, get to the point. Try to get the children to stop running after the chooks and give them the treats to give to the chickens. Sweetcorn is a winner because it's bright coloured and easy for the chickens to spot if they are not used to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 I have nothing else to add except be patient. They will come to you eventually you just have to gain their trust (of course a handful of mealworms helps!!). If you try and rush things you can take one step forwards and two back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 This is a bit of a problem with us too. Sneaky pickups at night make the girls yell as if they are going to be eaten! Semi comatose - not these, they are blooming owls! We have been beaten/flapped to death and both myself and DD have been pecked and scratched through our T-shirts. But perseverence and patience must be seen to be done (although over 2 weeks since they arrived and it is hard not to be impatient). Yesterday I gave them some live mealworms - hmmm, tasty. So today I gave them some more - trying not to get knocked over in the rush! Tried them with the dried ones and they are so keen on filling their beaks that they didn't notice us stroking them - until they finished and then let out horrendous squawks and ran to a safe distance. Not for long, they were back for more! They know when we open the door, but I know they mustn't expect treats every time. I was digging up some onions for dinner last night and when I looked up, Sioux was up on the garden seat not too far from me. A bit of a surprise when they complain that the cube steps are too high and they need an extra ramp - and here is madam on the seat no problem at all! Anyone know where to get a bulk order of dried worms? Our local garden centre has small tubs at £8 a pop! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted July 14, 2008 Author Share Posted July 14, 2008 Hello Koojie Bear, Thanks for your comment. Looking forward to trying mealworms - you make it sound hysterical But we have made progress.Someone kindly suggested grapes and yes they loved them. Hazel was so happy feeding her hens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 Mixed corn-they love it and should be putty in your hands when offered! I must have looked like a poor mans pirate earlier cos Sage my Gingernut lept onto my shoulder when i sat on bench outside with tin of corn! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg Lou Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 Mixed corn and sweetcorn.. lots of time spent in garden getting used to you.. ours were very tame very quickly.. in the kitchen within days and now one comes in front room and jumps on lap without any invitation! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 I get mine from this chap . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 Thanks ANH for the tip. Our girls like grapes too - but they run off with them, although each have their own, they guard their prrrrecioussss from the other girls, especially when one wolfs hers down quicker than the other two and then tries to nab theirs (that would be Piggy Sioux again). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yolky Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 We open the eggport every night and smooth them or cuddle them. The children are at the run side every waking hour and so they are best of friends already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 Success today, first armed with the mealworms, zipped over to the chair before the clucking stampede. This time I stroked their breasts and necks while they were busy looking for the worms in my hand. Then I tried their backs - stroke first, then treat. This afternoon I did the same with sultanas. I put a handful on my lap - got lots of strokes and then Piggy Sioux sussed out that if she grabbed my skirt and pulled, then she could pull the sultanas onto the ground. The result was all 3 in a treat frenzy over my feet! I still got a few strokes in though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 That's good news . They're not daft are they . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajm200 Posted July 15, 2008 Share Posted July 15, 2008 Given time your girls will get used to the children and start to ignore them.. Not sure the same can be said for the children getting used to the chickens Our toddler is very boisterous and has the attention span of a goldfish so has to constantly reminded not to chase the girls and to be gentle but after a few weeks they just started to ignore him. They wander about scratching the lawn and tolerate him holding their bodies without any fuss at all. They follow him about if he has food that they fancy and neatly sidestep out of the way if he takes a run at them. He loves them to bits, has his own way of calling them and feeds them a cup of corn each day. Give it time.. soon they'll be follow you around and come running if they spot you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted July 15, 2008 Author Share Posted July 15, 2008 Hi folks, thanks for all your encouraging replies. Koojie - we've also had a high score day. The girls follow Hazel around now clearly hoping for treats and she's only tooooooooooooooo delighted to supply them We've managed a few strokes when they're engrossed in their food so it's looking good. Best wishes Allison & Co Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
