Stuck run

[Sandychick]

I assume this is normal but thought I would ask! My chickens are always under my feet and I am worried I might step on their little toes one day, which would be awful. They follow me about and are usually standing exactly where I’m about to put a big wellie boot. If I have a cabbage in my hand they won’t let me move. I nearly sat on Pepper today not realising she was behind me. They just seem to have a complete lack of spatial awareness and not a clue about anything which could harm them………..are everyone else’s the same???

[chucknette]

Mine are exactly the same as yours and I have trodden on their toes twice.

 

I thought OH NO!! I must have broken her toes and promptly examined her but not a thing wrong with her thank goodness.

 

If I walk along with cabbage or any other treat I hold my arm out so that they are at least away from legs but I do trip over them frequently

 

Best wishes

[ruth1]

Mine do that to, I ve stood on Esme's feet (she's the worst) thankfully she was ok.

 

Ive adopted the arm out in front technique to, we must all look a sight

[Janty]

Mine are terrible for getting under my feet too.

 

I have stood on their toes by accident but they still do it.

[alih]

the worst is when I am digging and they get over-excited about worms and nearly get chopped in half as they dive under the spade..

[jools+6]

yip . mine too . daft birds . the arm out definately helps

[dancing cloud]

I think mine get under my feet on purpose as part of a planned ambush when I'm carrying something they want

 

Either you have to stop or walk very slowly so you don't tread on them, in which case there's a chance to trip you up, or you do tread on one, in which case you have to apologise to her and make sure she's OK, in which case you have to put down what you're carrying to pick her up.

 

Think about it for a moment - they're never under your feet unless you're carrying something they want. Hmm ...

[Mutrix Farmers]

Me too!! And it's usually the same chicken that gets stepped on.

 

We were moving the run once and Charlotte appeared from nowhere just as we were putting it down. She got trapped under the skirt, but was thankfully uninjured!!

 

Arms out front is the new hen keepers walk when carrying food!!

[Steve.]

I just trod on Jezabel's toes. Rather, I was walking along and Jezabel ran into me. Not really sure what she was thinking. Or maybe she wasn't thinking. That'd account for it.

 

All okay I think.

[jlo]

I will have to try the "arm out" technique! I look as though I am practising for Strictly with all the side stepping. My worst time is when I am trying to step over the netting and I am convinced that I am going to kick one of them. I have taken to chucking a few treats - just to give me time to get into the area.

[HENthusiastic]

I find that speed is the answer. If I can get the correct side of them, I then hurtle up the garden at a rate of knots, thereby leaving them in my dust, hurtling after me, but with toes safely behind my stomping feet!

 

when I do step on a chicken........ it is usually Buttercup. She squarks really loudly in what is clearly a telling off / cross voice! She's never seemed hurt by it ......... and never seems to learn from it.

[MedusA]

I think we've all trodden on our chickens (accidentally) at some time or another. Trust me, it will happen! They are very resilient though, and usually unharmed, but I did make Toffee's foot bleed once. I felt guilty for days but she didn't hold it against me.

[HENthusiastic]

Perhaps there should be a chicken keepers law;

"THou shalt not wear any heels, especially stiletos, in the garden".

[Snowy]

They are a pain aren't they! Someone described the walk you do as 'trying to avoid the coffee table in the dark'. They either get their toes trodden on or get drop kicked across the garden Mine also like to try and beat me back into the kitchen when I've let them out - then they get their toes stuck under the door trying to barge in for the dog food.

[HENthusiastic]

What gets me is the totally indignant squark you get when they get squashed / trodden on / shoved! As if it has nothing at all to do with their behviour!

[Sandychick]

Well, I do feel better about this now knowing that my chickens are not uniquely stupid, and that they also seem quite resilient to being trodden on

[..lay a little egg for me]

I loved reading this thread. Made me laugh imagining you all progressing across the garden, arm outstretched a la Strictly Come Dancing and then with a graceful hop over the netting. I think that would be an American Smooth dance, wouldn't it? Its the one where they hold their arms out to the side a lot whilst spinning around...and there are lots of lifts (over the netting!)