thegamwellsmythes Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Hello, newbie here! We got our two ladies (Boiled and Scrambled) on Saturday and we are wondering how long it takes before they start to get used to us? At the moment they are OK in the run when we go to talk to them but as soon as you open the door, they will run for the house or hide underneath it. We have managed to pick Boiled up but Scrambled seems to be be a big scaredy cat/chicken! Are we expecting too much to have them feeding from our hands and running towards us instead of hiding after less than a week? Thanks Jane and Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kinsk Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 I've had my three just over two weeks now, it's only really in the last few days they are quite happy for me to be around. One will take treats out of my hand, one is thinking about it and one still quite timid. I've pretty much left them to come round when they are ready though, rather than trying to force them before they are comfortable and only end up making them more wary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emchook Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 I seem to remember that it took a good week ! There is always a timid one .. but she will watch and learn from the brave and the bold. Before you know it they will be forever under your feet and pecking your boots ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Get a whistle and a bright coloured bowl. Put tablespoon of dried corn in bowl. Stand away from run but in sight. Blow whistle. Approach carefully, open run door, offer them the bowl. If they dont eat after a few (5?) min, put bowl down and retreat. Repeat daily. They will learn VERY soon and eat from bowl.(they can be quite 'enthusiastic' so I don't feed directly from han any more!!) This then teaches them to run to bowl (ie you) when whicsle blows - which is usefull if you need to get them back into the run quickly (eg. fox in garden, doorbell rings etc) see H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunnyish Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 haha that is a great idea!!!! will defo try that!! got a whistle at work, that will be coming home!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandychick Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 It will probably take them a couple of weeks to get used to their new home! Try and find something they can't resist - mealworms or sweetcorn are usually big favourites. Once they associate you with nice food, they will follow you everywhere. Mine jump up and down at the gate, like they are on springs when they see me I'd like to think they have missed my company, but I think it's a food thing somehow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Get a whistle and a bright coloured bowl.Put tablespoon of dried corn in bowl. Stand away from run but in sight. Blow whistle. Approach carefully, open run door, offer them the bowl. This then teaches them to run to bowl (ie you) when whicsle blows - which is usefull if you need to get them back into the run quickly (eg. fox in garden, doorbell rings etc) H I did something similar with shaking a tupperware of corn It works a treat, and even my 2 new girls who arrived on Sunday are "corn trained" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beulah59 Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Mine is a small enamel pudding bowl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 My new two didn't really get tame until they came into lay. Before that they were fine when I had hold of them but they would run off cheeping if I wanted to pick them up. When (if) they crouch it gets a lot easier. If you are down on their level I've found they are more confident. go on kneel down in that mud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky1 Posted March 4, 2010 Share Posted March 4, 2010 Sorry Plum this is the second post where I am agreeing with you But just on that note ours were as skitty as anything when we first got them. We could not get near them, until our two nieces (ages 4 and 6) came over and showed us how it was done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted March 5, 2010 Share Posted March 5, 2010 I did something similar with shaking a tupperware of corn It works a treat, and even my 2 new girls who arrived on Sunday are "corn trained" Yes- they just can't resist corn (well, most food, in fact!). So any recognisable bowl and a noise that they can associate with food works a treat (pun inteneded!!) H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NessG Posted March 5, 2010 Share Posted March 5, 2010 We have had ours for 2 weeks now. Mine were the same - very shy at first and I couldn't get near them, which is hard when you have to get them back in at night. Now I close the eglu door at night and once they are nice and tired I go in and give them a treat (raisins go down a storm) and pick each one up. In the morning I do the same before I open the door and let them into the run. Now they are fully trained at running towards me to get their treats, will eact out of my hand and don't mind being picked up when they are sleepy. It has really helped loads Just waiting for them to start laying as I think that will make things easier again. It does make a difference being able to have a little cuddle with them Ness Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
