Perfectspace Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 Hi Got the Eglu last week, and bought a couple of 8 week old Light Sussex Bantams (one of whom we have suspicions about not being a hen!) Anyway, the children want to be able to hold them which is great as we obviously would like to tame them asap. We've been told not to let them out of the run for a few weeks yet. So - how do you catch them, without causing huge amounts of stress? You can't get IN the Eglu run, and they don't go in the Eglu til it's dark, when I'm reluctant to disturb them. So how do you get hold of them?! Any thoughts appreciated. Also, unsure when I'm supposed to clip their wings for the first time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 I only handle my two younger girls when they have down in thier house for the night as it stresses them out too much during the day. You'll find as they start laying they will start to crouch, they will be much easier to pick up then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 9, 2010 Share Posted August 9, 2010 You could try my method which is a bit slow. I've been tempting mine with a bit of corn to come to me at the door. I had to throw a bit on the floor first. Then I put my arm in the way so they have to climb over it and now put my legs in the way so they climb over them. They are really jumpy and if suddenly see each other shoot up in the air or fly down the run. They are so funny. I've been picking them up at night but they do panic so not have stopped doing it for a while. It's going to take ages and probably until they are mature to pick them up calmly in the day. Good luck, have we seen pictures Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perfectspace Posted August 10, 2010 Author Share Posted August 10, 2010 Thanks for advice. I will persist with treats at the door. Tikka (on the left in the pic) is now taking from my hand. I guess we will just pick them up carefully when they are inside. Bhuna (smaller, and with the rather bizarre blue legs) seems to be in charge, and is looking suspiciously like a Cockerel to me - but I'm no expert. At what point is it safe to let them out?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
migsy Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 They are lovely! I've got some 13 week old chickens and I have lifted them out of the coup after they have settled for the night when they are calmer. I've been able to give them a few cuddles doing this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 Hi, I have a pair of girls of these about 18 months old. You may have suspicions because they grow a different rates mine varied so much. I was only able to catch them until they laid and the biggest only this year They are so stubborn it is unbelievable. Much more stubborn than other breeds I have seen. Perseverance. With bantams they prefer to be perched on an arm not grabbed by their wings. Just a caution if you have young children these birds get very heavy so they might have to have them on their laps. Also watch out for broodiness once laying Overall they are amazingly docile creatures once laying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 ps. if you ever want another 2 hens you can fit another 2 light sussex bantams or bantams of their size Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 I have some 11 week olds which have been free ranging with the big girls for weeks - they're bantams + some are LF I'd let them out 20 minutes before it gets dark, so they should either run back into the eglu when its dark, or be sleepy + slower so you can catch them. Go up + give them treats, I whistle when I throw the treats to them, so now I can open the patio doors + whistle and they all come running Just keep spending time with them so they get used to you + calm down. Don't think LS are particularly stubborn - they're all different though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meganymoo Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 My Chicks have been out in garden since they were 2-3 days old!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perfectspace Posted August 10, 2010 Author Share Posted August 10, 2010 Well - some success to report. I have spent a bit of time in the afternoon giving treats (although only bread and oats seems to raise any interest at the moment! They turn their beaks up at everything else. ) I've managed to now get them both feeding out of my hand (just about), so that's a start. But they sure are jumpy! Any sudden movements and off they run! I guess I'll just have to keep taking slow steps everyday. I really don't want to be running around the garden, chasing them to pick them up - not what I envisaged....! I think I'll also start holding them a little when they are settled for the night. Good idea on the whistling - I'll start doing that so when the time comes to let them out, they might at least show some willing... Thanks for advice - keep it coming. I need to read up on what to do in case of broodiness now....? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 They are gorgeous so cute and those legs Bhuna's face isn't as soft as Tikka's but can't see any other boy signs so fingers crossed for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perfectspace Posted August 10, 2010 Author Share Posted August 10, 2010 Thanks Plum - that's good to know. Hopefully we'll have eggs from both of them before Christmas, if we're lucky... Whenever Tikka ruffle her feathers and has a little flap, Bhuna runs over and gives her a peck and a chase. Is that normal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 11, 2010 Share Posted August 11, 2010 Yes my two do it a lot. They suddenly face each other rise up with hackles up stare eachother in the eye then carry on as though nothing has happened. My others have done that as well and they all laid eggs. phew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
