CALNICK Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 maybe a daft question but how can we tame our girls as every time we go to stroke them they run off making such a noise anyone would think we are trying to throttle them. Two of them will take corn from our hand. Any help would be appreciated. Thank You Calnick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troyster Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 Hello . I am quite new to this myself and I have 3 new chickens and I think they are brilliant. I had the same problem in the beginning ( I have had my 3 for just shy of one month). To start off with all 3 ran away at break neck speed, and they were very adept at giving us the swerve ...but they slowly became more trusting. We started out handfeeding them, all 3 are doing it now, and since then, the running away has become less...maybe it's the prospect of food. We have gradually moved onto the holding stage. We have found that slowly cornering with, no sudden movements at all is working. 2 of them are becoming quite comfortable with being held for short periods of time, one is still quite good at the great escape, and is quite quarrellsome once caught. I guess its a slow process, as with all animals. It's a relief to me that you are experiencing the same as I did, as I thought it was just me! Wilhemena Paxo Susan Mustard Bramble Amanda Pickle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 Are they laying yet? Once they start squatting, they'll be much easier to pick up. Keep going with the hand feeding - they should soon get used to you. When I first got my girls I took out them of the eglu, one a time, once they'd gone to bed and were sleepy. We brought them into the house for a cuddle . They would still rather not be picked up but they'll happily jump on my lap to peck food from my hand and will suffer the odd cuddle and health inspection! I think some chickens are just naturally aloof though and you'll never tame them . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CALNICK Posted October 30, 2008 Author Share Posted October 30, 2008 Thank you so much for the advice, we have not had much contact with them this week as with working shifts, we see them for about 5 minutes in the morning and that is it due to the dark nights. We cannot let them free range much either due to having regular visits from mr fox. Will keep you informed of our progree calnick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julia W Posted November 27, 2008 Share Posted November 27, 2008 I've had my four girls since 16th October. Whnever I go up and see my chickens they run to the edge of the netting run to greet me and I go in the run with them every day just chatting to them (my neighbours might think me mad but I don't think they are close enough to hear me). I get down on my haunches so as not to tower over them. They walk around me and if I move to a different part of the run they follow me which is nice. I manage to pick them up occassionally and when I do I just speak gently to them and stroke them. I will try feeding them by hand with some treats some time which might make them more trusting. I do get the feeling they don't yet trust me but it will take patience and lots of love. Oh by the way, thank you Freda for your first egg yesterday morning. Now can you get Peggy, Patsy and Gracie to follow suit please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 try taking them out of the nest box when they are almost asleep for a cuddle to get them used to you handling them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 Mine ran away to begin with but I followed what Ceasar Milan does on The Dog Whisperer. 1. Tempt them over with goodies 2. Hold onto chicken but dont pick them up till they have calmed down. Make sure you breath and feel really calm inside and your grip and hands are relaxed then pick chicken up and put on your lap. 3. Hold gently but firmly and stay calm yourself, make sure your breathing and arms are really relaxed. 4. When chicken is really calm and you can stroke and talk to her give her some corn and wait till shes relaxed enough to eat it. 5. When you are ready to put her down make sure she and you are really calm. Put her down but don't let go wait until she and you are really relaxed again, let go and she will walk away calmly no flapping. I did this with my three and it worked every time. The next time I sat with them they climbed on my lap for corn. This was within 5 days. I was amazed it worked. Perhaps they are really dogs! Id love a dog. These picks were taken when Id had them 5days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 WOW Plum you are a natural born chicken whisperer ! What great advice. I'm going to adopt that technique with my girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beverley Posted November 29, 2008 Share Posted November 29, 2008 that sounds like a great idea, i've only had mine a couple of weeks, and although they will feed from my hand, they are still a little skittish to let me touch them. im going to try your method. i'll let you know how i get on. beverley olive ruby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted November 29, 2008 Share Posted November 29, 2008 I agree, we've been trying that method with our girls. We don't have dogs but love the dog whisperer and I think his advice seems to work with all animals. Remember, calm and assertive, . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted November 30, 2008 Share Posted November 30, 2008 Watch too much tele. Dont know how you are going to get hold of them Calnick. Tiggy's advice is good. I stroke them every night. Not to tame them but I can't help it when I've been at work each day and not seen them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
