Miss Cooks Posted July 24, 2006 Share Posted July 24, 2006 I've started trying to make friends with the girls, but they're still really timid. They've come a little closer to snatch a piece of their favourite marmite bread, but still run if we make any sudden movements. They've been with us a week, and we've only really spent this weekend being "chummy", but I was wondering how long other people's chooks took to become friendly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley-Jean Posted July 24, 2006 Share Posted July 24, 2006 It's not long Gentle patients and you'll get there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harveypup Posted July 24, 2006 Share Posted July 24, 2006 We have had Vera and Hilda for nearly 3 weeks now and Vera loves cuddles. Hilda however is a different kettle of fish and remains aloof and doesn't like being picked up at all - anybody close by must think I am about to do terrible things to her the amount of squawking she does!! Think the difference is that while Vera has laid an egg a day now since last Saturday we have only had two from Hilda and apparently it gets easier once they have established a pattern.I am persevering and hope that eventually she will like me as much as I like her - watch this space!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted July 24, 2006 Share Posted July 24, 2006 It also depends on the temperament of your individual chickens. Morag is very calm and submissive by nature, and after only one week she will eat from my hand, and lets me pick her up with little or no protest Migsy on the other hand is nervous and suspicious of everything, and squawks a good deal when I pick her up! They're only about 16-17 weeks old and so not laying yet, so maybe Migsy will settle down a little with age... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jess Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 sweet corn sweet corn sweet corn throw them a few pieces and they will crawl all over you i swear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Cooks Posted July 28, 2006 Author Share Posted July 28, 2006 Thanks for the advice. My chooks have now eaten out of my hand! It was sooooo exciting! I was quite nervous of being pecked, but of course they didn't hurt me at all! The sweetcorn tip was brilliant! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 28, 2006 Share Posted July 28, 2006 They calm down quite a bit when they start laying. I'm glad that someone has polite chickens - mine nearly take my fingers off when I hand feed them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted July 29, 2006 Share Posted July 29, 2006 I hide behind the safety of chicken wire and gingerly post bits through Trinny flies at me when she gets excited and it's like Jurassic park when Trinny and Katy get going No they're OK really, but Katy has randomly started running away from me after 2 months in case I pick her up. She was so sweet before T&S taught her bad habits. Trying to lift her out at night now to get her used to handling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jess Posted July 29, 2006 Share Posted July 29, 2006 im so glad the sweetcorn tip worked for you cooks, mine turn into tiny velociraptors when i have like, one piece in my palm! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted July 29, 2006 Share Posted July 29, 2006 Same here, mine chase me round the garden if they think I am about to offer food. Even showing them an empty hand results in a cursory light peck just to make sure I am not edible C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
