Take part in study on PFAS 'forever chemicals' in eggs

[sezra]

Well, I have had the girls one month now and we have three laying! However....they have recently taken to going a bit manic when we go out to give them their afternoon treats. They have taken to literally flying up and trying to land on the meal worm tub! The last time they did this they scared the life out of my seven year old daughter who promptly dropped the tub (the lid was on thank goodness! ) and ran! Then this morning my son proudly went out to collect his hen's egg as she had loudly announced she had 'finished' and whilst holding on to the side of the eglu to reach in got pecked by Bossy Betty (Top chick).He is very robust for a four year old but I dont want the children to start getting scared of the chickens.

 

Any advice? Do we stop treats for a while? All suggestions gratefully received.

[Thalia]

My son (3 and half) was a bit wary of the chickens after Hera decided to peck his hand one day, thinking he had some nice grain in there for her. I dealt with it by feeding the treats on my own for a couple of days and getting him to stroke the chickens when they were crouching so that they would hopefully get the idea that he was one of the bosses. He still gets a little concerned if they come flapping towards him, but I tend to think that if I'm confident with them then he will be too.

 

The other day he chased them around some bushes whilst giggling so I think he may have got over his "chickens are scary" phase.

 

Thalia

[Egluntyne]

You need to get them used to being approached by the children without them having treats in their hands. They are expecting treats and getting overexcited.

 

I would withhold extras for a while, and when you introduce them, always produce them from the same bowl, and maybe blow a whistle, or use a clicker, so that they only associate treats with these.

[sezra]

You need to get them used to being approached by the children without them having treats in their hands. They are expecting treats and getting overexcited.

 

I would withhold extras for a while, and when you introduce them, always produce them from the same bowl, and maybe blow a whistle, or use a clicker, so that they only associate treats with these.

 

Thank you for that, I think that is good advice. At the moment just me going into the garden seems to set them off even though I am strict about giving them treats late in the day. I will give them a few days off the treats and think of something new for them to associate with the treats. They definitely need some training!

[jennyp]

I whistle at my chickens when I give them a treat or feed them. They never give me grief if I'm pottering around the garden and haven't whistled.

 

My husband on the other hand just talks to them whether they're getting treats or not. So every time they see him they get really excited.

 

My kids (8+9)don't really give them treats. They're still a bit wary of them, although they will try to pick them up their hands aren't really big enough. As a result the chickens mostly ignore them now too.

 

So long as you're consistent with the chicks you'll be fine. They'll get the message.

 

(First post, be gentle)

[Guest]

Once the girls have got used to them not having treats get the children to push the girls gently on to the floor with a hand on their back so it shows that they are not the boss of the children.

 

Do this while your around so the children dont hurt them.

[sezra]

(First post, be gentle)

 

Thank you, whistling would save me getting a clicker! Or maybe I could do my very bad chicken impression!

 

We really do have to teach them that they are not in charge. No treats for a couple of days now but they still like to chat to me when I am hanging out the washing!

[greyhoundgirl]

I used a plant spray and when the girls did this flying thing I'd give then a short spray in the beak!! It stopped it straight away.

[Plum]

Welcome to the forum Jennyp. My OH is like yours and drives them crazy but they are used to me being around without treats. So sezra I vote for you going cold turkey and forget the treats most of the time.

[sezra]

Well, they have had no treats since I first posted and they are beginning to calm down. We have a patio box next to the run where I keep everything and they know that is where I keep their goodies! I think I am going to take the treats out of there otherwise they always will associate me opening the lid with treat time. The children are desperate to treat them but I have told them that they must do chickeny things without treating them.

 

I am going to be really mean and keep it up all of next week otherwise I dont think it will work

 

Poor chooks, I am sure they will survive without their mealworms for a bit longer!

 

Thank you for all of your advice.

[Space Chick]

 

Thank you, whistling would save me getting a clicker! Or maybe I could do my very bad chicken impression!

 

 

I shake a tupperware container with corn in it, they associate this with treats and come running. They know that my hands are just my hands (well everyone apart from Ace one of my ex batts, that still thinks fingers are edible )

[sezra]

I shake a tupperware container with corn in it, they associate this with treats and come running. They know that my hands are just my hands (well everyone apart from Ace one of my ex batts, that still thinks fingers are edible )

 

I think the mealworms in their plastic container will make a nice sound!

 

I have just had my skirt pecked by bossy Betty on the look out for something tasty!