Solitary chicken - need advice

[stoice]

My two new girls are just coming into lay (21 weeks) I actually got my first complete un-squashed egg from Mabel yesterday 37g - bless. Since they are quite nervy birds unless grapes are about they had been tricky to get hold of as they are very fast.

I know from reading on here that they crouch sometimes as if you are the cockerel and they are easier to pick up. Well Mabel had been doing this for about a week and Betty has just started so I guess Betty will come into lay hopefully in a week or so.

I'm trying to pick them up for a cuddle and a check over but it's like they still crouch in my arms. Their whole body tenses up, they close their eyes and splay out their legs. It seems nothing can snap them out of it. Is this normal? I'd hate to think I'm scaring them rigid! My two ex-bats don't do this once held, is it something they 'grow out of'?

[Mutrix Farmers]

Our three all react differently when picked up. They are all about 35 weeks old now. All crouch when their backs are touched, but Katie does her best to slide away to avoid being picked up. Charlotte seems quite happy, Henrietta tolerates it but Katie goes stiff as you describe. Not sure what the answer is other than persistence.

[jills]

Mine sleep in the nest box, so once they have gone to bed they are easy to pick up for a cuddle and check over. They are drowsy then as well, so don't seem to mind at all.

[stoice]

Picking them up isn't the issue anymore Jills, it just weird how they react to being held. Maybe I'll try it at night and see if I get the same 'stiff' reaction. Thanks

[Steph101]

In my humble experience, black rock types are definitely not as cuddly as red type hybrids, who are more docile; mine stiffen up just the same. They seem more 'fidgety' when cuddled, unlike the gingers. Just the difference in breed, I'm sure. They are easier to pick up when crouching, but don't want to hang around too long for a cuddle. Dunno why.

[Yolky]

My is now the friendliest out of the three (although granted I have only had them a week lol) she lets me smooth her when I like and she is soooo soft My GNRs are more wary of things. I am wondering though if it is because she is coming into lay. The GNRs have small pink combs but the has a bigger comb and it is definatly reddening. When I smooth her back, and I only smooth her lightly, she has started to crouch toward the ground......is this the type of crouching they do before they lay *hopeful*

[TheChookKeeper]

In my humble experience, black rock types are definitely not as cuddly as red type hybrids, who are more docile

 

How strange - mine are the complete opposite, the black rock is quite happy to be picked up and held for as long as I like (even with my dodgy holding technique!), whereas the gingernuts hate being picked up, and crouch every time I go near them!!!

 

That said, they do still all run toward me as I approach... but that is due to the unique nerve that connects their stomach to their legs...

[AJuff]

Darcy my black rock is very friendly, she likes being picked up. It's the skylines/columbines who aren't. My new Ambers are very very friendly and they started to crouch for me yesterday!!! Yipee . . . eggs on the way.