LittleOwl Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 I have read a lot on here about the fact that the girls will be easier to pick up when they start laying, as they will start to crouch. Well, we've had our girls since December, and they have been laying now for 10 weeks. When we first got them we did pick them up quite a bit while they were confined to the Cube pen, and subsequently they awere sometimes allowing us to do it when we we were hand feeding them. However, they are becoming increasingly hard to pick up, and never crouch. If we need to we have to bribe one into the cube or pen and go for it. I have never seen them crouch for us. Is this because we have a cockerel? He does get a bit agitated when his girls are distressed or disturbed (unless he has decided that his grapes or corn are more important). Or are we expecting too much too soon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 It could be becuase you have a chap running with them? Perhaps they only crouch for him and you are considered "unimportant". However of all of my lot some crouch regulary and some never...it may be down to the individual. It does seeem, with my lot at least, the broodier the breed the more likely they are to crouch. Just keep at it.... I also make a point of picking them up just for the hell of it or to give them a treat. Otherwise they would only get picked up for health checks and medication and lets face it...."Ooops, word censored!"ody enjoys that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 Some of mine never crouch, others do it all the time and even for the cat! I'd recommend that you get them used to eating a wee bit of corn from your hand, then they will be more biddable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 Our top ranking chicken refuses to crouch for us. You can see her willing herself not to when you approach The others do willingly and walking in the garden can be tricky as they tend to throw themselves out infront of you at every given opportunity. I would persevere with the treats option, having said that my children have a great technique where they catch them by the base of the tail and they stop for them. I did tell them off initially as didn't like the look of it but it works for them very well and the girls just stand still for them. May just be our chickens though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 No, tails work well chez Chateau Claret too. If you keep araucanas, that's the only bit you're likely to grab; they aren't terribly biddable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 That is how i was told to get hold of the Exbatts on the rehoming day I helped out on. Worked well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 If your hens are hard to catch then the best way to grab them is to use a landing net from a fishing tackle shop - very quick and they don't get stressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
