Chicken bald back

[Calamity Jane]

I got my chickens on Saturday from a friend who bred them. They are Light Sussex x 3, and they are about 15 weeks old. They do not have names yet because to be honest I cannot tell them apart. All to change soon I hope.

My worry is that they are so scared of me. They have never been handled and dont seem to want anything to do with me. I am trying to spend as much time with them near their run but if I get too close they really panic.

Will they eventually get used to me - I keep looking at all your lovely videos of you holding your chucks and cuddling them. Should I just grab one or let them come to me ? Help please.

[jlo]

They are not likely to be laying yet given their age. Once they start coming into lay, they will start to crouch when you approach them and then it will be easier to pick them up.

 

Also, you can always try just picking one up once they have gone to bed at night when they are calmer.

 

I am sure that others will come along with more advice. I know what you mean. When I first got my hens, I had looked at the video on the web site and couldn't reconcile that to the flighty creatures who just skittered away from me. To be fair, one of mine is still very skitty and is not mad keen on being picked up but she will still crouch for me.

[Olly]

Good advice above - they are still teenagers, once they become mature laying matrons they will be a lot less flighty, however if you want to get them used to being handled, the best thing is to go to the hen coop after they have gone to bed, and take them out and handle them/pet them/check them over, one at a time. They will be sleepy and a lot less resistant, but it means they'll get used to being handled and not be so nervous of you.

 

I often wonder what chickens dream of after this ...

'Someone abducted me in the night'

'Oh, don't be so stupid, you shouldn't eat mealworms last thing at night if it gives you bad dreams - now shut up and move over, you've got yer tail feathers in my face'.

[Calamity Jane]

I love that idea about chickens dreaming !!!

I must own up here and say I have never handled a chicken and there dont seem to be any hen keeping courses near me. Nearest one is is Sussex 21st August - but I think I owe it to my ladies to go.

[Patricia W]

Once they associate you with treats, you're likely to be mobbed. I find sweetcorn and mealworms are the favourites! But only feed in the afternoon once they've filled up with pellets. Picking them out of the nest box when it's dark and they are sleepy is another way to get them used to cuddles.

 

Don't worry- it will come

 

Tricia

[coco]

One your girls come to POL they will get tamer. I've just got two youngsters who were terrridfied of me to start with. They are now 15 and 17 weeks old and are getting better. They are both on antibiotics so I'm giving them to them at 6.30 in the morning before i let them out as I can't get near them after that. I have two older hens hat I can't get near unless they are shut in for the night although they all come running for treats.