Henergy Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 The girls have been with us for a week now & I make sure I try & stroke them / hand feed everyday so that they get used to me. But sometimes they still hunch down on the floor when I go to touch them - I expect it is just them feeling a bit nervous, but wondered how long it normally takes ? Certainly not had any sitting on my lap for cuddles yet ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JS1 Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 They're crouching for you because, the theory goes, they think you are a cockerel! Makes it very easy to pick them up and the good news is that if they're not laying yet, it means they will be very soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevf1 Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 my barnvelder does it makes her easy to pick up.. my two warrens do it... they are not cowering away from you they are waiting for you to mount them as a cockerel would... i usually pick them up at this time... if they aren't laying yet they will do soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 Yes the crouching is submissive behaviour as they see you as the 'cockerel' of the flock. If they are nervy around you, just take your time. It's a good sign that they are willing to eat out of your hand. My girls will happily eat out of my hand, flap up in my face if they think I've got treats and sit on my lap to sunbathe, but they hate hate hate being touched or stroked! I think generally (there are always exceptions) chickens don't really like being handled, but as long as the contact is on their terms then it's okay, which is why some chickens are happy to sit on your lap/shoulder. Just go with the flow and let them get you know and trust you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 Love your avatar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henhathnofury Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 It's great for them to crouch so soon - it means they are settling in well. I have one girl who now asks to come up for a cuddle - she loves being kissed and burbles away to me, then sits down and surveys her world, including her companion (who hates being picked up). So you are doing the right thing - the more you handle them, the more routine it becomes. Sometimes when they crouch I just stroke them lightly - they seem to tolerate it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JillM Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 I wish I could get mine to eat OUT of my hand instead of pecking me! Any ideas how I get them to stop? Esme (head chicken) started it and the rest follow her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 Give them something they are not so keen on. My wyandottes really grip my hand if I have corn in it but if I give them wheat they take it gently Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracyann Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 Mine don't mind being stroked, I try to stroke them every night whilst they are in their nest box, to get them used to me, a couple of them are crouching, and love being picked up and cuddled, they gurgle and sing to me whilst being cuddled, I never force the issue if they don't want to be cuddled and start flapping I put them down again. Mine eat out of my hand and always seem hungry... Especially for corn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gonetoearth Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 Two of my girls hate been picked up or stroked, two tolerate it and the other two just love it .... no accounting for it. I suppose it just takes time with newly acquired chickens. Some will never like being handled. All of them will eat from my hand though ... gently for most things but if there's banana or grapes around it's best to wear protective clothing 'cos they get so excited ... beaks everywhere... wings flapping it isn't for the faint hearted. Henoria will always sit either on any garden chair you happen to be sitting in or by your feet as will Maisie. The others will sit under the chair around your feet pulling at any shoe laces that happen to be around. We had the younger girls in October and it's taken a while to get them as tame as they are now I guess that your new girls just need a bit more time to be confident with you. With longer days and better weather you'll be spending more time with them and I think that soon you'll be wondering what you were concerned about. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henergy Posted March 16, 2011 Author Share Posted March 16, 2011 Wow - they think I'm a cockerel ! One did it again tonight & you're right - made it so easy to pick her up. Bless them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickanne Posted March 16, 2011 Share Posted March 16, 2011 It's nice to get down to their level - sitting on a step is good. Then they can stand either side of you and will move onto your lap to get at a treat. You'll be able to give them a quick cuddle without them even noticing! Patience is a virtue and the longer, warmer days will mean even more time in chicken nivarna with them! Just don't expect to get anything useful done..... Just read your profile - go for the growing veggies! They just love the left over seedings and will stop your other half nagging "Why have we got so much lettuce!" And all the droppings go back into the compost - Circle of Life...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
