Solitary chicken - need advice

[helenmb]

Hi was hoping for a bit of advice.

 

I have had 2 hens until recently but as they were kept in the eglu run (with 2 extensions) we haven't really handled them at all very much. I realise now that this was a mistake as the only time we could check them out health wise was after ‘bedtime’.

 

We now have a big walk in run and 3 new 15 week old babies but this time I want to be able to handle them so its easier for me to check them over and administer mite powder etc in day light. I don't think I'll ever be able to get our old existing hen to make proper friends with me as she is two and a half and has always been hard to catch.

 

I have read that they get better at being picked up once they come into lay but I had hoped on trying to catch them regularly before this (I suspect that it will be a few weeks yet before we see any eggs).

 

Do you have any tips to cut down the stress of catching them, my Silver Sussex is the most wary of me and is very fast and gets away before I can catch her. By the time I manage everyone is very flappy and stressed (me included!).

 

I’ve tried mixed corn and meal worms to see if they will associate me with nice things but although I can perhaps get Blanche to eat out of my hand, when I move to try and catch her she is off like a shot!

 

Help….. how long should it take for them to see me no longer as a large lumbering human threat!!!

[Guest]

I tamed mine with grapes. Each evening I went out with a little plastic tub of chopped grapes which the hens adore. I sat on the garden bench - in the same place each time. They learned that the little tub (with a lid or they just steal the grapes and run!) had grapes in and that they had to come to me to get them. Once they were happily taking them from my hand, they then had to come up onto the bench before I let them have them. After the bench, they had to climb onto my lap to get them (old clothes). Now they jump onto my lap if I just sit on the bench... Didn't take more than a few days.

[theherd123]

From how i have read your post it does sound like you started the right way - handling the chookies after they have gone to bed as they are more sleepy then.

 

I would strongly advise you do this with the new chookies and try again with your older girls too. Close the eglu door and take them out one at a time and spend a few moments stroking each of them. Once confident at this try doing the health checks like opening out their wings slowly, feeling their crop, touching their feet etc

 

By doing this they should slowly fget used to being handled and hopefully see you as less of a threat.

 

Yes it will take time but it will be worth it in the end

[helenmb]

Thanks for your advice and taking the time to post a reply .

 

I like the idea of bribery so as they all love meal worms and tomatoes I will make a start with these this evening. I have a little garden stool that I can sit on in their run to get them used to me in their environment. Will try grapes too but might have to fight my DH for them as they are his fave too

 

Thanks - Helen

[laurmurf]

we did the same as Prim Henmum, except with dried mealworms (note to self - try grapes) and it worked a treat.

 

The other trick we've done - which i'm sorry for now - is that as soon as egg laying began we would give the successful girl a handful of mealworms. Now when Flo or Meg have laid an egg they come dashing to the door announcing their success and demanding a reward with a rather menacing expression!