Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Sageandonion]

We've had our chickens getting on for 4 weeks now. 2 will eat out of my hand quite happily and are not too difficult to pick up, Peckers one of the two will even jump on my lap for a grape. Luna is quite the opposite, won't eat out of my hand at all and I can't pick her up at all unless she's cornered. None of them are laying yet and are about 20 weeks old. Do chickens get more confident when they come into lay or will Luna think I'm some big bad monster forever ?

[Poached Egg]

Hi Jac. Depends a bit on breed and a bit on the individual chicken but generally it improves. Have you tried cuddles a while after they have gone to bed and are more mellow?

[Chook-a-holic]

All ours took about 6-8 weeks before they were brave - but not sure how good that is as they are so brave they think it is OK to mosey on into the kitchen and drink the dog's water and get under you feet...

 

Ours have been easier to handle since they came into lay. We do give them 'treats' when we get home in the afternoon they love blueberries or apple and will put up with just about anything for treats - it didn't take long to realise that I was the provider of treats . They now follow us everywhere!! )

 

Good luck

[Sam]

We had 3 that would come running up to us and take food from our hands, but one that didn't. Once she got into a good laying routine she was much more confident and took food, and is always first to run to me They also crouch when they are in lay so its a lot easier to pick them up

[Roobaloo]

She'll get braver...!

 

It may just be that she's bottom of the pecking order and if she rushes forward to see what you've got, she'll get told off by the others. I agree that she'll probably get braver once she's in lay...especially is she starts crouching for you as this will eliminate the need to corner her to pick her up!!

 

One of my original two girls were chalk and cheese...one was in your face, under your feet...even throwing herself at you to perch on your shoulder if you weren't looking. The other kept her distance, panicked if you tried to hold her...she was very aloof!

 

...but now she's the one who is always stood at the front of the run, shouting at me for for!!

 

She may not ever be a cuddle or "in your face" chook but just give her some time and she'll improve!