fluffyknickers Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 Hi all, had my for a week and a day and all has been fine. They havent been timid at all and were happy pecking corn from hands and when I let them free range they were desperate to get out in the garden. As someone was doing funny pooh it was suggested to give no treats and keep them in for a bit so for the last few days they were in and had no treats. Today being a goreous day I opened the door and thought I would let them out and I offered them each a grape. Well they have changed! They are making low growling noises and didnt really want to come out and even though the door is open they are staying in then will come out for a bit then all of a sudden one flaps and flys and goes back in so the other two do the same. I picked up Nugget who is the friendliest and happy to have a stroke but she was more growly than before. Anyway I wondered if it was normal or something has happened or what it could be if anything (or are they just being moody girls!). x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 Reminds me of the first time I let ours out. Opened the run door, and walked away a bit. Ginger then came hurtling out of the run, obviously scared that it might close again at any point, and ran straight into a bush! She picked herself up, looked around as if to say "did anyone see me?" and then quietly strolled away... I was crying with laughter at the poor girl! But, that stopped after a couple of days - I guess once she got used to the routine? And now while they still love to come out, they are not nearly so skittish. I'm sure yours will get better once they settle in more and get used to you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tidygirlsuk Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 Reminds me of the first time I let ours out. Opened the run door, and walked away a bit. Ginger then came hurtling out of the run, obviously scared that it might close again at any point, and ran straight into a bush! She picked herself up, looked around as if to say "did anyone see me?" and then quietly strolled away... I was crying with laughter at the poor girl! But, that stopped after a couple of days - I guess once she got used to the routine? And now while they still love to come out, they are not nearly so skittish. I'm sure yours will get better once they settle in more and get used to you? this is really good to hear that they are less skittish. i've had my chickens nearly 2 weeks and 1 chicken is really skittish but i think she is slightly older than others (still not POL yet). I finding it hard to bond with her, and i'm hoping it's not her personality, and just a newbie thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 I finding it hard to bond with her, and i'm hoping it's not her personality, and just a newbie thing. I bonded with all my girls at different times. I'm sure you will bond, give it time. It will happen when you are ready. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 Mine were a bit daft to begin with when out. They flapped and ran to the run if a blackbird flew over. One set the others off. Let them get on with it outside they will calm down but sit in the run with them and they will become friends again. I don't know what the low growling is about. They do chatter and make different noises. I'll listen for a growl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 ooer just heard one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larkspurs Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 Hi mazzyc I wouldn't worry too much. Our lot went through a recent settling in period and make all sorts of weird noises at first! They do a purr, a bok and a grrr! Today I even heard what I thought sounded like an angry quack when I left them in the run. I'd love to know which one it was, lol. They do tend to follow a leader so maybe the leader is the one that went back into the run? It's happened with our two. They seem to be skittish at times running around madly chasing each other then later they seem to be natural explorers then go back to the expected picking at the ground behaviour. I'm rambling now but don't worry. Seems normal (whatever that is!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tidygirlsuk Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 I bonded with all my girls at different times. I'm sure you will bond, give it time. It will happen when you are ready. Can you handle all of them now ? if so how long did it take ? I've had my girls 2 weeks and i've hand fed two of them from day 3, and handled them from day 5, every day. But my blue belle won't let me near her. i worry that if i don't handle her soon that she will never let me. Shall i keep trying to hand feed her but face facts that i may never be able to hand feed or hold her. or keep catching her against her will in the hope that she'll get used to it ? and for health checks. From Claire an impatient chicken mama arrived 14/02/09 no !egg!'s yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badgerbluebadger Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 My bluebell or Mendlesham blue Dipper I have only had for three weeks and today she pecked corn from my hand. It has taken me three weeks but she is starting associate me with food. Also once they start to lay they are better as the sit down when you come near them so you can pick them up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 I would handle her now against her will because they don't rationalise what has happened and if you hold her till she's calm and you put her down she will remember that and not the panic when you picked her up. But if you pick her up from a confined space she won't get too upset and you need to hold her for health checks. Silly chooks, don't they know we are friends and love them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 I agree with Plumster. Hold them whatever they thinkabout it. Is important that you can for when you need to do health checks etc. I have always used bribes to get my girls used to being handled. They come over for a treat, they get picked up and they have a treat after . Good luck with it. ps one of mine Buttercup, always quacks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tidygirlsuk Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 Thank you 4 replies, I can't wait for tomorrow to have a hold. I always put their fresh water and pellets in run b4 i let them out in morning, i might start doing it the other way around so they know that i'm food lady. Many Thanks Claire with bluebelle - belle amber star - star (roost ruler, i think) goldline - Gwen (ben 10 fans will understand choice of name) arrived 14/02/09 no yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyknickers Posted February 28, 2009 Author Share Posted February 28, 2009 Thanks everyone. Today and yesterday they were better. Well, actually too much better as one of the came in the lounge and got in a panic and headbutted the french doors! Husband has been very good and paient and even getting to like them but when one was in the house he declared "OK that's enough"!!! Still make funny noises, but them as I an a novice anything a chicken does is 'funny' to me! Its just when I walk towards them they make a throaty noise. They had some treats today and we had some visitors to see them and they were happy to eat corn from hands etc. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodcat Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 Thank you 4 replies, I can't wait for tomorrow to have a hold. I always put their fresh water and pellets in run b4 i let them out in morning, i might start doing it the other way around so they know that i'm food lady Try wearing somthing like a fleacy soft jumper when i got my second lot of girls i pick one of them up to put them into the run and i was wearing a big fleace and she snuggled in and went to sleep.... and she was by far the hardest to catch but once i caught her if i was wearing a jumper like that she would settle down and sleep she still does nearly a year later Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tidygirlsuk Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 Thank you 4 replies, I can't wait for tomorrow to have a hold. I always put their fresh water and pellets in run b4 i let them out in morning, i might start doing it the other way around so they know that i'm food lady Try wearing somthing like a fleacy soft jumper when i got my second lot of girls i pick one of them up to put them into the run and i was wearing a big fleace and she snuggled in and went to sleep.... and she was by far the hardest to catch but once i caught her if i was wearing a jumper like that she would settle down and sleep she still does nearly a year later I did it, i got her ! only about 20 mins ago, and only because we moved their house and they couldn't figure out how to get back in the run, and they were all trying roost next to it on the grass. silly things. she was pretty calm when i had her, but soon as i removed my had from her wings she tried to get away. however i managed to get her to bed. oh yes and i wore a fluffy bright dressing gown, the other girls loved it, the neigbours didn't. Claire arrived 14/02/09 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
