gracefruit Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 And a nervous owner. We've had our chickens for just over a week. They're both about 6 weeks from POL and neither are keen on being touched. They will happily eat if we hold something through the bars of the run for them, but they won't come near if we try offering food through the open door at the end of the run. I've tried giving them a little stroke through the egg port door once they've gone to bed (usually 30 minutes after they've turned in), but they squawk and flap. I was worried they'd get stressed or hurt, so I've not pushed it. Does the friendliness improve with age? We are very keen to let them free range, but I'm concerned about letting them out if they won't let us near. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
choppish Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 mine had none of it at first. then they started to lay and crouch and are fine. one is vrey friendly. the other not so. i must say, live mealworms certainly make them very friendly!! had them jumping all over me to get a tthem.! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josephine77 Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Hi Elizabeth , Are your chooks from Omlet? I've had mine about 3 weeks now, and they are now pretty tame. The first night I had them, as soon as they went to bed, I opened the egg port and stroked them briefly, and I've been doing that ever since - they don't seem to mind now - but in the early days if I spend too long stroking them they would get a bit agitated, so I kept it brief. I'm not a chicken expert yet, but maybe if you leave it too long after they've gone to bed before opening the egg port you might be waking them up which perhaps is why they get a bit panicked? It was only really when I started to let mine free range a bit that they started to get used to me - I sat for ours on the lawn feeding them grass out of my hands, and picked them up at every given opportunity just so that they got used to it. I'm sure someone more expert than me will be along soon with some advice though. Good Luck Jo xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs chook Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 I got my younger ones at 14weeks, they are now approaching 18 weeks and are getting more confident. Slow and steady, they'll get there. Maybe throw a few treats nearby or just sit quietly with them, mine are becoming more trusting I think. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 I can get 4 to feed from my hands, and have picked 2 up. But there are 2 that just wont have any of it... They are 18weeks,.. I sit in the run with them for a while each night and feed them corn from my hand. I am hoping the other two come round soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gracefruit Posted July 30, 2008 Author Share Posted July 30, 2008 Ours didn't come from Omlet (we live outside of their delivery area). We purchased them from a lovely breeder near Edinburgh. Our girls aren't unfriendly, but just a bit nervous about human contact. Perhaps they just need more time. We'll continue our food bribery for now. I've read that grapes work well, but the chickens just aren't interested. They do go absolutely mental for kale, though. Thanks for everyone's help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Two months on with my ex-batts and none of them like being picked up. Five of them like being stroked, three actively seek contact, and the other one squawks and runs away if you even look like you may be thinking about touching her Doesn't stop her taking food from my hand, she's just an independent girl who's not up for all that cuddly stuff Give them time, as it's all still very new, and try just being with them without giving them food or paying them any attention. They'll soon get used to your company and their curiosity will win in the end. I usually find trying to ignore them and read a book is the surest way of being surrounded by nosey beaks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 As soon as they come into lay things will change. Why no go out after they have gone to roost and open the eggport and strok them and tahlk to the. If you do it regularly, they will get used to you and the sound of your voice, and you will get used to handling them. You might even feel brave enough to lift one out for a few minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 I know this sounds silly, but how do you do that with a cube? I think that if you move the roof it will wake them all up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gracefruit Posted July 30, 2008 Author Share Posted July 30, 2008 Thanks so much for the suggestions and help. I think I need to become better acquainted with Prudence's friend Patience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 Saw from your previous posts that you've got a legbar and a leghorn. I've not got experience with these breeds unfortunately but maybe someone else has them and can advise on their nature. I think you are right, probably just a waiting game. Mine now associate me with food and come running every time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 Oh yes, I am the Wonder Woman to our girls (pity I am nothing like in appearance or to any other member of my family) as I am the source of their food supply! I get the ooooOOOOOOOHHHH" whenever they see me. But 5 weeks in and "NO WE DON'T WANT TO BE PICKED UP", but they will allow me to stroke them while they are filling their faces with mealworms or sultanas - that is until the food runs out then they squawk and run off. Sometimes when I am sitting watching they will come up to me and try and see if I have miraculously produced more from thin air, and then I am able to stroke their chests before they go "HUH!" and wander off again. We too had the flaps and the scratches and it is the youngest one that makes no sound - the others are screech owls! But then she is the shyest when it comes to daytime. Keep trying . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 31, 2008 Share Posted July 31, 2008 They will improve - ours positively love being held now! Louise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
