Lavenders_Blue Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 I'm after some tips here, please. I'm perfectly okay picking my hens up and holding them with their heads facing forwards but how do I turn them around so their head is pointing backwards under my arm? I am sure there is a very easy answer to this, but whenever I try to turn them, a wing either gets free and beats me round the face (ouchie!) or they struggle so much I have to put them down because I am no longer holding them securely. Your help would be appreciated as I have botties that need spraying with anti-mite! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 This is how I do it: if you are right handed.. pick to chicken up and hold it against you wth your right hand with its head facing towards your left side hold your left hand palm upwards with your 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers spread out so there are two v shaped gaps between them, slide your hand under the hen so the middle finger goes between the legs and the other two either side, clamp the fingers closed so the hen is sat on yor palm with its chest on your forearm and you have the legs under control, they will outstretch their wings to get their balance but should calm and draw them back in if you have them stable they are then easy to handle and tilt, lift the wings to check and treat under them etc.. I always carry a hen like this now and if you stretch your hand out in front of you with them sat on your palm if they are happy they will not flap at all and handling them becomes very easy, you need to do this with confidence so practice a few times Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 I can see lots of dropped chickens, and/or us with our arms in a twist .... Isn't there a game like this?? Will practice with my most docile - not Phillip Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted February 9, 2010 Author Share Posted February 9, 2010 Thanks for the reply Tasha, I think I will practice this before spraying! I will also be starting with my most docile, not Rosie as she went off lay a couple of weeks ago and she seems to have gone feral Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckynikki Posted February 9, 2010 Share Posted February 9, 2010 I always carry my chickens backwards and find it much easier. I have to pick mine up once they come out of the eglu run and carry them across the garden every day depending on which bit I have got sectioned off for them. And then carry them back again at the end of the day. I always found that if I carried them forwards they would flap - I think they thought they were flying! I just bend over them so that they crouch, reach out both hands and take hold of them on each side over the wings and then just pick them up so they are facing backwards. I just carry them in front of me with my arms outstretched, not close to my body and not really supporting their feet either. It's just the quickest and most simple way- maybe they are just so disorientated to be going backwards they keep really still. It gets the job done in the quickest time. I do like a little cuddle with them though when I have got time to hold them close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted February 10, 2010 Share Posted February 10, 2010 I am with Tasha...i carry my lot this way too! The bantams are easy....the Japanese I can do two in one hand!! BUT I am not strong enough to hold my LF buff Orp on one hand...she is a hefty madam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 10, 2010 Share Posted February 10, 2010 Another tip, when I am turning a daft chicken over or messing around with them I find tucking the head under my arm calms them down. And at a show I went to at the weekend a judge told me that when you have clasped your chicken sway it from side to side a couple of times, that relaxes them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted February 11, 2010 Author Share Posted February 11, 2010 Okay... I think this is going to take a little practice! I tried yesterday with Bella as she's pretty docile(ish). Picked her up fine, fingers round the legs fine, sat her on my hand fine, let go of the wings.... whooooooooooooooomph, she was off! I think I managed to hold her for about 0.05 secs. She's a big girl too, so maybe this needs rethinking! Plum - I'm probably missing something obvious here but how do you get the head tucked under your arm? I haven't figured out the technique for manouevring a hen under my arm without one or both wings getting free and feather-whipping me round the face! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 Here's a photo to accompany Tasha's excellent description I usually show people how to turn them over too, that makes it easier to inspect for lice and any other nasties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted February 11, 2010 Author Share Posted February 11, 2010 Brilliant, thanks Claret, this pic helps I will definitely keep practicing Tasha's method as I need to get the hang of holding them backwards as well as forwards for treating their lice (yuk yuk) You can guess what my next question is going to be though... how on earth do you turn them over?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 Just make sure that you have their thighs held firmly between your fingers so that they feel secure and can't get away. Have PMd you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 They'll give you evil looks afterwards too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 Thats how I usually carry ours, and you can usually perch a bantam on your arm as long as they're behaving Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 Brilliant, thanks Claret, this pic helps I will definitely keep practicing Tasha's method as I need to get the hang of holding them backwards as well as forwards for treating their lice (yuk yuk) You can guess what my next question is going to be though... how on earth do you turn them over?! Chicken tossing is great what you do is go to one of Claret's classes I may toss a hen at the weekend and see if I can video it for you. I'll use a flappy one so you can see them clip my face if I get it wrong. I sometimes find with flappy ones its easier to clasp hen over both wings and hold them against me make sure I breathe and relax and then they do, tuch head under my arm then roll them over on my lap. The best buzz is holding a chicken out upside down on the palm of one hand. Don't worry you'll get there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 The best buzz is holding a chicken out upside down on the palm of one hand. Don't worry you'll get there. Wow Plum! I'd love to see a video of that, I have never tried that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 When I'm doing the scaley treatment on my own it's the only way I can do it without being beaten to death - that is to say the girls heads are under my arm and that way they can't flap - my hand supporting underneath - big hips come in handy at this point. That leaves me free to spray or coat with Vaseline and check bums too. When I check under the wings or Vaseline combs etc. I pop them on the draining board in the utility room because they find treaties while I look - they are too busy filling their faces to notice what I'm doing - and I have 2 hands free then. I'd love to be able to balance the fat lumps nicely like the picture though. The smaller birds are easy once you've managed the Orpies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 Orps now that's a challenge How about a Jersey Giant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 Want want want I think being an octopus would help there. Or teach it to roll over for a treat. Hah, sorted. Next . . . ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted February 11, 2010 Author Share Posted February 11, 2010 I must admit I am finding the size of my girls part of the challenge...they are pretty big and strong too. Still, practice makes perfect. I had another go today and there was a definite improvement. (However I confess I have enlisted help tomorrow for botty spraying as there is absolutely no way I am going to be able to manage singlehandedly!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 The trick is to watch out for flappy wings if you've just clipped them - the feather ends are really sharp - I once went back to work after a weekend of chicken wrangling with alarming multiple slashes across my face! On their backs in your lap is a good position if you don't have anyone to help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 And if you don't mind getting the evil eye! It's for their own good you tell them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 Wow Plum! I'd love to see a video of that, I have never tried that Sorry can't video. OH thinks I am cruel and YS not been in touch but I took some pics So for you chickwiggle 'ooerr now what's she doing to me' .....Eider 'Oi do you mind'...............Grackle ' Here we go again'....Pigeon Motmot couldn't believe what was happening and didn't stay for a photo but they enjoyed a treat afterwards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 Well done Plum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 Brilliant Plum Did you manage to hold them and take a picture at the same time? Seriously impressed they do look a bit bewildered though Grackle especially, Ooo if looks could kill Plum Oh dear, my girls dont know whats gonna hit them tomorro, i just gotta try that I can carry them backwards, on one hand etc, but never tried that. Looking forward to it though Will let you know how i get on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
