nanarock Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 Hi When I purchased Clarrisa Nigela and Jennifer 3 days ago i was told that I must hang them upside down by their feet daily as part of the taming process. I felt every uncomfortable doing it, but the lady insisted that i should as it makes them calm birds. Does everyone do this? So far I have not done. Am I wrong not to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 (edited) It does calm them as it's not the most comfortable position for them and they have little option but to hang there, it is mainly used on larger scale enterprises when carrying or moving larger numbers of chickens as you can carry 2 per hand. I wouldn't recommend it though as you can bruise their hocks if you're not careful. Just getting them out and holding them is fine to tame them. Once they start laying, they will be much more biddable. Edited March 25, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 And you can do a lot of damage with ex-bats as their bones aren't strong enough to cope. There are easier and better ways to tame them- try bribes and cuddles! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nanarock Posted March 25, 2011 Author Share Posted March 25, 2011 Thank you. I will just cuddle and bribe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 Its not necessary as part of the taming process It is very useful for dealing with a panicky chook or for easily applying louse powder etc so is well worth knowing how to do! Grip their legs between your three middle fingers so your middle finger is between their legs that way their legs and hocks dont rub together and its not painful for them, their wings will flap madly, hold them at arms length and away from obstacles so their wings dont catch on anything, after a few moments they will hang down very still and you can bend your arms in and deal with the powder or if you were calming them down use your free hand to steady them while you right them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 Now i'm going to sound like a real nutter but two of my girls are clicker trained, They are very tame and relaxed and it has help with Lily being so poorly this week as she doesn't get stress when i handle her. You'll be suprised on how quick they learn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Random_Girl66 Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 Excuse my ignorance - clicker trained, what is that? Two of mine crouch and are relatively happy to be picked up and cuddled but the other two don't crouch and won't even eat out of my hand yet. Mind you, as I work full time and it's nearly their bedtime when I get home I haven't really been able to spend the time with them on a regualr basis, only at weekends. I'm hoping though that this will change with the lighter evenings of the summer. Not sure how I would get hold of them at the moment if they seemed poorly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 dvd called Poutry In Motion and a book ( i think) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 Now how did I know that you'd have the chickens clicker trained as well as the dogs?! I tried it with one of my lurchers, but the clicker noise drives her demented Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 Now how did I know that you'd have the chickens clicker trained as well as the dogs?! I tried it with one of my lurchers, but the clicker noise drives her demented The rabbit are too, Shame it doesn't work on the other half Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 I think my bunnies are way too dim Next time I see you we'll have to try it on Ruby - she might be more receptive now that she's older. Cyrus is still bedding down and has no commands at all, although I more or less have recall sorted now. Sorry, what was this thread about? Oh yes, holding chickens upside down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nanarock Posted March 25, 2011 Author Share Posted March 25, 2011 Please explain what you do to clicker train a chicken, sorry to show my ignorance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddie Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 when we had the canoe upside down in the back garden, my son used to hold a hen under his arm, and then "draw a line" from the hens beak, along the flat surface of the canoe, and totally hypnotise them really!!!(you do it three or four times in a row for best results!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickanne Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 I love the chicken clicker training video - use it with my students when studying behaviour. I use the clicker to call them for food - they'll rocket in from any corner of the garden. Much easier than clicking my fingers, although this works too. I have also tried to train Thelma like they did on the "Secret Lives of Chickens". - She learned to peck the correct colour very quickly but kept on resorting to jumping on the tin and just raking at it with her feet - too impatient by half. Still, if I will use mealworns as bait what can you expect?? PS never held a chicken upsidedown... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 re Clicker Training - Its not difficult. See mine H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 Sorry, what was this thread about? Oh yes, holding chickens upside down Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
