Hen_Pecked Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 Hello there! Was hoping my first post would be more of an introduction, but I need some advice already. We've had our lovely and for a month now, and they've suddenly discovered how be naughty! We try to handle them every day, but (Daria) is far too quick to catch, and will fly away if you attempt to chase her. Jane will allow you to pick her up, but after a few seconds struggles to be let go, flapping her wings if you let her, scratching with her feet then will peck you. Jane is being especially peck-happy at the moment, she will harrass you if you're out in the garden with them, even pecks your fingers as you try to open the run to let them out. I was watching over them this afternoon while reading a book and eating some peanuts on a deckchair. Jane pecked my toes, then hopped up onto the chair, flapped her wings a lot, pecked my book and went for my nuts (as it were!). They've both stopped laying in the last week as well (since the naughtiness began, really). So, any tips for dealing with unruly hens? Shouting "bad chicken!" doesn't seem to be working! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 Dominance. Simply hold down there backs for a few seconds firmly but not hard. They sound like my girls, terrors! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen_Pecked Posted July 21, 2010 Author Share Posted July 21, 2010 Dominance. Simply hold down there backs for a few seconds firmly but not hard. If only we could catch them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 Silly me- not reading correctly. I ment for the pecking.. To make them more tame, get them out when they go in to roost, if they peck, hold them down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen_Pecked Posted July 22, 2010 Author Share Posted July 22, 2010 Yes, they're very docile once they've gone to bed, I do worry about waking them actually when I check on them through the egg hatch! The main problem is when free ranging during the day, they'll hang around expecting food or a treat, and if they don't get it they start to peck your feet and legs. Sometimes they will even fly at you or hop up to peck higher. Trying to put your hand on them or pick them up just results in them running away (faster than I can keep up!) then coming back again seconds later. We managed to distract them with mealworms yesterday long enough for them both to be picked up, unfortunately Jane scrabbled and got loose, and pecked my wife quite badly in the face. She was put back in the run while Daria continued to range around, as a punishment, but I'm not sure she realised that's what we were doing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gelbel Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 If only we could catch them! The large fish landing net I recently has been worth its weight in gold when mine are feeling particularly skittish! Especially with Ada as she hates being handled - it's the only way to catch her if I don't have the time to hang around for her. Once I 'land' them in the net, they settle right down in it and seem to enjoy a swing! I can then lift them out the net and handle as necessary. Ada has even learnt that cuddles are nice - it's getting her into the cuddle position in the first place that's the problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen_Pecked Posted July 22, 2010 Author Share Posted July 22, 2010 If only we could catch them! The large fish landing net I recently has been worth its weight in gold when mine are feeling particularly skittish! Especially with Ada as she hates being handled - it's the only way to catch her if I don't have the time to hang around for her. Once I 'land' them in the net, they settle right down in it and seem to enjoy a swing! I can then lift them out the net and handle as necessary. Ada has even learnt that cuddles are nice - it's getting her into the cuddle position in the first place that's the problem. That's genius. I shall find mine from the garage and go catch me some chickens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky1 Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 I'd cut down the treats - certainly not when they're demanding them. Otherwise we are teaching them what to do to get a treat Two thoughts on the egg front. They could have stopped temporarily if its very hot where you are. Or they could be laying out if they FR quite a lot. Ours do this every so often and we then play hunt the egg or keep them in for a good while. Good Luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen_Pecked Posted July 22, 2010 Author Share Posted July 22, 2010 Well I've just got home after taking the car to the garage, and we have an egg! Certainly the biggest they've ever laid, and it's kind of spotty. I was going to reward them with a bit of a range, but they're whining for it now, so I'm going to ignore them until they quieten down. And I get my net. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 I wouldn't be without my landing net! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
