megalin Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 Just wondering how often it's ok to handle hens? I don't want to stress them out but also would like them to get a bit tamer and better at being cuddled! They're just sooooo fluffy and cuddle-able I spend lots of time with them and all 3 come and stand on my lap to feed out of my hand but they do try and flap about when I pick them up and don't seem pleased about it. I just read another post which said about getting them balanced properly and then they will feel more comfortable so will work on this... Also I have a little white pekin who is not so white at the moment and has muddy feet, I've managed to trim her foot feathers so they don't get so dirty but she really needs a good wash and blow dry!! So I'd like her to be a bit more comfy with general handling first! Is it ok to pick them up daily or will they just hate me forever and ever! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madchickenlady Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 The best way to get them used to being handled, in my experience, is to handle them once they've gone to roost. They tend to be sleepy then and barely stir I tend yto only handle mine once a week or so for a quick health check. Some never really enjoy being handled, but some adore it. I had a splash pekin called Mini who would hop up on to my shoulder if I bent down to hang out the washing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 Most days. Not all of them every day, but they are well used to being picked up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 I try to give all mine a stroke at bedtime but do try to pick at least one of them up for a very quick cuddle each day. Now the newer ones are crouching it's a doddle . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 I check over my hens at least once a week but on the lead up to a show I will need to primp and prep some of them so they get handled a few times a day and legs especially need to be washed often - the chooks get to watch the telly upside down from my lap as I clean the individual scales on their legs Anyway to get back to your question the more often you handle them the more they will get used to it and the easier it will become Its the WAY that you pick them up that is most important, hold them properly so they dont get stressed and flap - be assertive and brave - you can do it! One word of warning - when cleaning feet, especially on Pekins dont pull at any lumps of mud on toes, soak them off and use your nail to get under them - dont pull them as you can snap the nail and make it bleed or at worst tear the whole thing off! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burtie14 Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 I've found that our hens don't really like being handled before they've laid. They're also a lot easier once they've had a bit to eat, and are a bit heavier and more docile. I've definitely found that some hens are no problem at all to pick up, while others will scarper. Jim still likes to give me a bit of exercise trying to get hold of him, but once I've got him he is as happy as anything and enjoys being carried around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meezers Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 Not very often in this weather I'm afraid, I pick them up several times a week in the warmer weather and the boys like to pick them up and carry them around , but at the moment I'm inside before my fingers go numb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 but at the moment I'm inside before my fingers go numb. But that's the best time to handle a chicken - you can slip your freezy cold fingers through their feathers where you'll find their skin is lovely and warm Tasha - need a photo of chickens upside down having a pedicure whilst watching tv please !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trougher Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 My ex-batts don't really like being handled, I try to stroke them all at least once a day, hoping that eventually they will get used to it. They tolerate being picked up, but squirm and don't really like it. I was trying to pick them up every day to get them more used to it, but its too cold at present! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky1 Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 I don't think any of them "like it" but they do get used to it. Yesterday it was getting close to dusk and we still had a chook in the back garden (about 400yds from their houses). I was going to shoo, bribe cajole her down to the cubes, but as we're on heightened fox-alert, and the ice, snow ... I picked her up and took her in the car. After the usual indignation, she settled down and perched on my chest and took in the view. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Kate Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 My ex batts are like Trougher's - they "tolerate" it only. Trumpet tolerates it best but i think she's equated me with treats now and is just putting up with it in the opes that it will put her first in teh queue for them. interestingly, Scrawny, who is the nerviest one and a pain to catch, seems to quite like it because when she's then "up high" you can see she is curiously looking around ("oh so this is what the view is like up here!") i know what you mean about cuddleable though - I have been known to chase them up the garden with my arms wide crying "just let me LOVE YOU!" I'd love to be able to give mine a big squeeze like the little kid on the omlet homepage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 Another ex batt owner here whose hens will only tolerate being handled (although they seem quite happy to clamber all over me on their own terms... as long as I don't try to touch them). Lots of squirming and struggling and beating me round the face with a stray wing is usually order of the day I tend to check for creepy crawlies etc whilst the front end is occupied with treats, they don't seem to notice me rummaging about in their feathers so much then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissSilkie Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 I have a Welsummer who at the begining was very rough and hated everyone. Over time she gradually same round but still doesn't like handling. Ithink it is because she was not handled when she was young. I also have a Minorca (lovely bird) and 3 hybrids. I started with feeding them treats, then stroking and then finally handling them. It is good to have your hens tame so if they get sick they can be treated easier. Hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henhathnofury Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 Oooh they are all so different. Because they are treated like pets, they pretty much act like pets - they like some people more than others. My Light Sussex Narcissa, who I pick up and cuddle every day - really has no time for me. But my daughter, who is thirteen and very rarely touches the chickens, can charm her to sleep in her arms. I miss my cuddly Gingernut Ranger Desdemona, who responded to my voice, knew her name and would lie in my arms and not want to get down. How often do I handle my hens? Excessively. They also get - ahem - lots of kisses. Although one did try to take the freckle off my nose once - so that was a painful lesson. But I do also check them over regularly - one is prone to scaly leg... Cuddles with hens is theurapetic..it really should be on prescription... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky1 Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 Cuddles with hens is theurapetic..it really should be on prescription... I think so too Just found one of the gals gingerly trying to get through deep snow without getting her belly wet. Picked her up and put her inside my big coat. She seemed to quite enjoy the lift. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 I have a cuddle every day with the girls so over the course of a few days they all get picked up and checked over at the same time. They all seem to enjoy it as it's never any trouble just to reach down and pick them up, I love the way Henrietta in particular studies my face and is facinated by anything shiny I have on. Three of the five will also jump on my lap if I have treats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 My chickens and my little cockerel all let me pick them up without much protest, but I can't say that they enjoy a cuddle and with it being so cold and with there being rather a lot of work on up till this week, I haven't really given them the loving attention I should. More a case of feed and poo pick, feed and feed again. However it is going to be a New Year's resolution of mine to just sit and cuddle them each day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickanne Posted December 24, 2010 Share Posted December 24, 2010 This thread has made me think about just how much the girls have changed over the 5 months I've had them. Now, they are very tame and can be picked up easily. This makes life soo much easier!! I handle them everyday and make sure I give them treats by hand. They are now complete tarts so getting them close with food offerings always works. Having said all that, it did take persistance on my part. I would recommend getting them used to the treat dispenser/bowl before letting them out of a run. I did alot of the early training in a confined space - this helped me become more confident at picking them up and holding them. I have trained them to associate finger-clicking with treats so I can recall them from a distance. I also use the same feed cup and treat bowl which they can spot at 50 paces. Thelma, in particular, has a good turn of speed on her. If they decide to run instead of crouch I have to resort to bribes. Louise is the really docile one. Although she used to wimper when I first picked her up she's now the one that will sit calmly an accept a cuddle. Thelma prefers to stand on my lap and scold. I've installed them in my greenhouse whilst the snow is around. It is foxproof and has wide borders of soil which they are distributing all over the path as they bathe!! I can sit on a stool in there and feed them in relative comfort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted December 25, 2010 Share Posted December 25, 2010 I sit in the run with mine when I take their treats out. They soon realise that the only way they are going to get treats is if they toady up to me and take them from the dish or my hand. It gets them used to approaching me. I know it's only cupboard love but in my mind, they love me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megalin Posted December 27, 2010 Author Share Posted December 27, 2010 Ha ha, thanks everyone, informative replies! I've been having to carry mine back and forth in the snow as they will not walk on it for anything.... they hate hate hate the snow! Think I might try a cuddle a day and see if it keeps the vet away! Going to try and clean Bonnie the Pekin tomorrow, dreading it slightly. I hope she doesn't pass out or anything She's got muddy clumpy feet though and I'm worried they will go bad if I leave them. Eek, wish me/her luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 27, 2010 Share Posted December 27, 2010 Bet you'll be pleasantly surprised and she'll relax with a warm footbath and if you use a hairdryer afterwards she'll worship you forever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megalin Posted December 28, 2010 Author Share Posted December 28, 2010 Chicken is washed and hates me! But is shiny and nice now! She was very good but I think it was mostly stillness out of fear! A few blueberries later and she was just fine. Very pleased to see her buddies again and is all cozy under the big lady now..... (poor babe looked like a drowned rat ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
