splodge88 Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 We got out chickens a couple of days ago. We fed them some treats (grapes/raisons) by hand. We think they have already come to expect food from our hands now and one bit my sisters finger. Should we carry on feeding them trates by hand or stop? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 Welcome aboard. Ouch! It hurts. I stopped for that very reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenmb Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 If I want to feed mine by hand then I wear a very thin pair of gardening gloves as you are quite right it really hurts and they can draw blood. The gloves I use are from here:- Great gardening gloves I use a peg to hold them onto my run (I have a purpose built one and no longer use my Eglu run) so there are always there if I need them. I just keep them for chicken tasks and they can be popped into the washing machine too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 I feed my corn from my hand and it doesn't hurt . It's a bit pecky but not painful. I've had kids do it too without any problem. Perhaps I have gentle chickens? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
err_rachael Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 Yup I've found that they can give a sharp nip. Ow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 I used to feed by hand but now they are in such a hurry to get as much as possible they can be a bit pecky so I have started using a little dish. They know the corn is coming and fly/jump up onto my lap or the chair to feed all together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg Lou Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 I feed all mine by hand, two can get a bit sharp but otherise its fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 I feed all mine by hand, Greedy guts sometimes gets a bit rough but the rest are all fine. In fact my OH held my 3 year old goddaughters hand full of food out to them on Sunday. He's just read this thread and now he's worried he was cruel to her but she didn't complain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bokbokbok Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 Only one of ours is gentle enough to feed by hand - the rest have a small cup to eat out of. I think helenmb's idea of gloves is excellent and I will find some for myself as feeding them like that is a nice thing if you aren't squealing with pain! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 I can feed some of mine by hand but the others are too rough. The brahmas really hurt when they peck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenmb Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 Loving your photos Bokbokbok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 I feed my two girls their treats by hand, I hold raisins or mealworms etc, between my forefinger and thumb and they peck them out, they even take it in turns, I feed one chook and then she stands back (kind of!) and then the other one takes a treat. Maybe my chooks are just weird! Sometimes the greed takes over though - and they loose control and just peck my hands to bits!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubyReckless Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 I've fed all 8 chooks by hand and have never found it more than a poke. I am really surprised to learn that others have a hard time with it. maybe we've just been lucky? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlegem Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 I have been feeding mine by hand to try and get them friendly but only my Gingernut Ranger Wilma will take food from my hand. We have nicknamed her the mugger as she tries to pull the rings off my fingers and pull my bracelet off can't say she has really hurt me though...........yet. I wish my Miss Pepperpot would feed from my hand too but it's early days yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ardene5 Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 Hi, Some of our hens will come and feed for our hands. The 2 bluebells which we got from the chicken site of Omlet are so gentle, they will stand on our shoulders like a parrots or sit in our laps to preen or eat from our hands and listens to us talking. We have 9 hens of which 3 are ex battery, 2 of these are retired from egg laying but we get 7 eggs a day. We do not mind 2 retired hens as they are now having a lovely life with the other hens either free ranging in the garden or in the very large run when the weather is bad. What more could a hen wish for, nice food and treats, lovely omlet housing and great owner to look after them. All Omlet owner are the same great animal lovers. Best regards Ian & Valerie William & Harry Missy & Millie dogs 9 lovely hens Henian Castle with + inside Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 It wouldn't be the first time Piggy Sioux has had most of my little finger down her throat - "no that's not a big mealworm - it's me you daft bird!" It's not too bad, but they can peck hard - bit sado/massochist thing going here! I find I can control them a little easier with bare fingers so I can stroke them longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barkisland Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 My chooks are very new and still a bit nervy, although definitely getting bolder. Just had them a week. Gilda took some corn from my hand for the first time today, and was very gentle Molly looked on, and thought about it, but didn't take the plunge - will try again tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Piggy Sioux . love it! My little monsters get their corn fed by hand and won't pick any up off the patio until hands are gone The only time my fingers are at risk is with grapes, when I'm trying to share them out equally between begging beaks and there's occasional grabbing, but we are getting better with that . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 My mum and I were moving some slabs and adding new ones to create a winter play area for my girls. (So there were no gaps between them this time - or else all the soil gets rooted out!) Any earthworms we found were sacrificed to the girls. Good job we were wearing thick gloves because they got 'earthworm rage' and couldn't control themselves. Several times they'd grab at our fingers and play tug of war with the glove until they realised one of the other girls had already claimed the worm. Grapes are another 'chuck in and stand well back' treat but i can just about manage a small handful of mixed corn without gloves (Especially as my 2 poor ex-batts have stubby rounded beaks from their battery days) doesn't stop the 'pinch' of a misdirected peck though. ouch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quentinho Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Hi carry on thats my advice if you still get pecked stop doing it odd though mine have had no problems they have been feeding from hands sice thier first day! (friday last week) Cura Gwen Penelope ginger BLACK pepper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emma Tarpey Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 It hurst at first but you soon get used to it, it keeps them that little bit more tame Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
