frogprincess Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Hello, I've had my three chickens since Monday and every night I have tried to stroke and pet them for a couple of minutes at bedtime. I've also been spending a lot of time in the garden with them, and they all eat out of my hand. Having read the advice on here about handling them as much as possible, I decided that, tonight, I would go for a pick-up. I scooped Tibshelf up with both hands and then held her to my chest with one hand round and one hand underneath, just like I've seen in photos. However, she managed to stretch a wing out and, after an abortive attempt at stroking, I popped her back in and tried to do better with South Mimms. I did the same, this time trying to hold her wings more securely> she seemed all right with some stroking, but when I relaxed a little, she struggled, hopped onto the roof off the cube, and accidentally scratched me on the chin. I got her back in, and stood for a few minutes, having a little cry, as the made very worried noises and scratched and pecked at the sides of the cube as if trying to get away from the nasty human. I didn't bother with Pease Pottage (the most timid of the lot) and shut them up for the night. I'm pretty upset as I've caused them stress - what do I do now? Do I persist, and try again tomorrow so that both the chickens and I get more used to it? Or do I leave them for a while so that I don't frighten them? Am I a total disaster and a bad chicken mummy? 'Cause that's how I feel right now. Lesley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Poor you, don't feel bad, some chickens just don't like being handled that much. You could try the bribery approach - sit somewhere in the garden with handfuls of mixed corn or mealworms and they'll probably happily sit on your lap . It's worth persevering - you'll soon get an idea of the ones that don't mind a cuddle . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 I've got 5 2 I can pick up that complain but settle down for a stroke or jump on me for a stroke 2 that i can catch but will struggle free smacking me in the face for good measure the last a gold legbar I've pick up 3 time since June with out to much of a struggle but i keep hoping so just take it slow and steady you've got them hand feeding that's one step nearer not all chickens like been handled all the time it should get better when they start to lay and crouch they can't run and crouch at the same time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 It often goes wrong don't worry but keep trying. You are picking them up fine but remember to keep hold when you relax. They will feel you relax which is good and eventually they'll either like it or tolerate it. You need to hold them to check their health and maybe to give them attention. They are coming to you for food which is good. Try sitting down with your legs out and when they come for food close your hand and put it on your chest. They will look indignant but will gradually get brave enough to climb on your legs. It can take quite a while but they will gradually trust you. By the way its all cupboard love anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prof Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 dont feel bad about it! ive had my chickens for a few weeks and they have been picked up by my 3 children lots; chased at first by my dog; evicted from their eglu by my cats. when we first had them i picked up Bungee and she too flapped her wings and landed on the roof hence we called her Bungee jumper She too made a lot of noise as did Pumpkin and then Hoover our lab chased them around the garden Now they love being handled, and i agree with the post above that mealworms are the answer Please dont let this incident put you off. They will calm down if you persist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Don't feel bad about it. I couldn't pick any of my chooks up until they started to crouch and even now they tolerate it rather than enjoy it. They used to make worried noises. I still can't pick my smallest girl up, even though she has started laying she doesn't crouch and runs like mad when I get too close to her. They will all take mealyworms out of my hand. Spend as much time as you can with them and they will get to know you more. The beter you get to know them the more confident you will become when picking them up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Most of mine barely tolerate being handled and the Indian Game scream the place down (but they still eat from my hand). I don't push it because they come running when they see me and I know I can easily do whatever I need to do with them at roosting time when they're drowsy. They jump all over my lap if I sit down with the corn tin (or mealworms!!), so I know they love me really. Or rather they love the hand that feeds. My advice would be to continue getting them used to your presence, eating from your hand and maybe wait til they're laying before trying to handle them too much again. And whatever you do, don't worry about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brambles Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 These girls of ours take a while to train us. Our new girls took a little while to get used to us but now gladly come to hand - they adore little bits of grape. We tend to reach in and stroke them once they've gone to roost and lift them out now and again for a cuddle - they do like to be held gently but firmly. we even managed to clip their wings tonight! I think once they start to lay they may calm a little more as they'll start to crouch, which will slow them down! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Try taking one or two out at night, they're a lot more docile and sleepy then. Also they get much easier to handle once they're laying so if yours aren't that might not help. They will get used to you and you to them, I have some I still can't catch and even now still end up having to put them back down sometimes as they've wriggled out! You are NOT a bad chicken Mummy!! BeckyBoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 FrogPrincess - I had the same issues as you when I first started with my girls. However, with time and perseverance they will come to trust you. A few of my girls now like to perch on my arms and shoulders as demonstrated... Leela, the girl in the top picture wouldn't let me near her for 2 months, but once she trusted me, she is always by my side and after a cuddle, so give it time and it will happen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saronne Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Please don't worry. Keep feeding them by hand and (like others have said) try picking them up at night when they're likely to be more docile. I talk (and sing ) to mine. Sounds cheesy, but I relax when I sing, and I think it rubs off on the hens. Anyway, some of my girls are happy to be picked up and cuddled while others are not. Maybe it's my singing... Some chickens are naturally a little more nervous than others. Good luck. You sound like a kind person and a sensible chicken mum. Saronne x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Don't worry - they forgive you as long as you dish up the goodies. I have lost count how many times our Orpies have smacked me in the nose (big birds = big right and left hooks = oucheeeeeee). We made the mistake of learning with big birds first. Oh how much easier the Sussex and Maran are when picking up. Actually the maran is bonkers and we can only get hold of her at night when she goes to bed. The other one is always by our side and is picked up any time. The big girls are so into food that they don't notice at first, but you have to pick the right moment because if they get a wing free . . . it's like wrestling with Hulk Hogan. But practice, practice and practice and you will find it gets easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Shirl Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Well said Debs. Lovely pictures. Slow and steady wins the race. I get down on the ground with mine when they are shy and new, with a few treats in my hand. The older girls show the way to the new ones and they are soon climbing all over me. I gently stroke their chests with my finger at first to get them used to being touched, and if they start to like that and come looking for more I move onto their head and behind their ears, then down their backs. It takes months sometimes to get to pick them up so that they are confident and don't struggle. Even after all that I have 2 hens that I cannot pick up. So! you are not a bad chicken mummy. It's a good idea to give them attention at a certain time every day if you can. They will get used to you and you to them. Good luck, and keep us posted. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Aww, Lesley, you are not a bad chicken mummy. A bad chicken mummy wouldnt care and you do !! I had the same problems too and so i waited until they had all gone to bed and once they were drowsy and sleepy i picked them up one at a time and had a lovely cuddle. Get yourself a chair by the cube and have 5 or 10 mins sit down with one. i used to talk real softly to them (like you would a baby )They are much more docile and easier to handle when half asleep. Do this with one hen for a couple of nights or longer then move onto the next one. They will soon get used to you - dont worry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 I get down on the ground with mine Health and Safety Alert. Do not try this at home. Unless you live in Tenerife, or somewhere equally warm and dry!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutti Frutti Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Lesley, please don't be upset by this, it's still very, very early days! I've had my chookies 12 weeks and they are still mad and do NOT want to be cuddled! The one that did - well, it turned out she was poorly and then died a few weeks later So I'm quite happy for my other two to be feisty and flighty - at least that way, I know they're healthy, normal chickens!!! I have to keep reminding myself that they are farmyard animals and it will take time for them to adjust to becoming pets (meanwhile, I'm cuddling my cats!). Keep on spending time with them, you are doing everything right! PS Mealworms and gardening are the two things that work for me! They come hurtling down the garden for both P P S I was taught by my breeder to slide one hand (palm up) under their chest to their belly and slot their legs between my fingers and hold onto their legs gently but firmly, then put the other hand over their back and wings - and pointing their bum away from me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Firstly - are your chickens names after servce stations? Secondly - Plum, are you aware that that second chook is not a violin? Thirdly, handlng your chooks, they are really very robust so dont panic! when you lift them put your hand over their wings then bring one side in to your body, that will keep one wing in, slip a hand under the chicken and catch the tops of their legs between your fingers wth your palm resting on their tummy, use your thumb to keep the other wing down. This method of holding leaves one hand free to do the stroking! When replacing the chook keep your hand under them holding the legs and use your other palm over the top of the hen to keep the wings in, place the chicken down and release your 'leg' hand first Holding the tops of the legs keeps them away from you and calms the chicken as they cant do a lot without their legs, a perfectly calm chicken will stay still cradled in your palm if you hold your hand away from your body but thats further down the line! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frogprincess Posted November 20, 2009 Author Share Posted November 20, 2009 Thank you everyone, I feel a bit better about it now - I was worrying that I might have frightened them off for life, but I reckon they'll be ok when I bring the grapes round tomorrow afternoon! How long after they go to bed is it a good idea to have another go at picking them up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frogprincess Posted November 21, 2009 Author Share Posted November 21, 2009 Firstly - are your chickens names after servce stations? Yes, we thought it was a good theme, and they do sound like good chicken names! We went through a big list, dismissing things like Gordano and Leigh Delamere as boys' names. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted November 21, 2009 Share Posted November 21, 2009 I would say leave it about half an hour after they have gone to bed, so they will be suitably sleepy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayo Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 (edited) Hi Princess. I'd go for Brambles' suggestion. Mine would sell their souls, and their Grandmothers down the river, for grapes. Contrary to Omlet's advice, I let my three ladies freerange after 24 hours, and they came running to my lap 10 mins later, the minute they saw the grapes. (Don't ask me how they knew - can't imagine that their breeder hand-fed them with such a thing !). You could also try cherry tomatoes and sweet corn - they're popular with lots of posters - but only as treats to be given sparingly. Better not mention that I lost them an hour later, after I left them for five minutes to take a 'phone call. Me and three friends searched the whole neighbourhood without success for hours and hours. I was practically in tears having totally given up searching, 'cos it was pitch dark; and I finally admitted defeat. Came into the house and found two asleep in front of the fire and the third asleep in the open bottom drawer of a chest in my bedroom !! Keep trying - Gently. They'll succumb to your charms quite soon - betcha. Max. (By the way I have definately decided to go for a name change - It has GOT to be . . . Leigh Delamere - Wonderful). . Edited November 22, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 They'll soon come round- it took me 2 weeks after getting my first hens to be brave enough to try to pick them up One thing that I never do is hand-feed them- they get their treats in a plastic ( dog) bowl. So that they won't peck at any fingers they see, especially fingers belonging to little people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 Came into the house and found two asleep in front of the fire and the third asleep in the open bottom drawer of a chest in my bedroom Classic!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayo Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 . . . . and I was so relieved that I almost forgave Jennifer for pooing All over my two best sweaters. But at least I learned a couple of things in my first day of chook-keeping : 1. They Much prefer a drawing-room with a log fire to an Eglu. 2. They poo, by volume, roughly forty times the amount that they eat. Max. (Hope you're managing to keep dry : it's looking grim up there). . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 They also prefer to poo in OH's slippers and "Ooops, word censored!"ody elses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
