Unsecure chicken perches

[Chicken Kitty]

The first time we let the girls out to FR we coaxed them out and they were fine. Yesterday when I opened the run they were still nervous, but Violet took the plunge and came out which lead to slight pandemonium when she realised that Clover and Marigold were still in the run! She flapped and squawked and kind of flap-jumped onto the top of the run.....Clover then raced out to find her in a sort of "I'll rescue you" kind of way! Violet was so surprised that she flapped back down and they both ran round and round the outside of the eglu/run in different directions whilst Marigold ran back and forth inside! .......Similar happened again today and I would be very grateful if anyone could offer any words of wisdom about how to make this event calmer!!

 

When in the run they are very settled and will take mealworms from our hands, whist FR only Marigold (the youngest) will come to take treats from us. Although they seem pretty calm and happy for us to get near to them, if we make even a slow move to pick them up they make a quick exit!.....We haven't been able to pick them up at all yet!

We have only had them a week, and we don't expect miracles but would love them to be tamer

Is it just a matter of time and patience to buid up their trust?

Any advice gratefully received!

[jennym]

Is it just a matter of time and patience to buid up their trust?

 

Yep, I'm afraid so. Also, it helps when they are about to start laying and sometimes they'll crouch when you're near. It's kind of funny - our 'youngest' (i.e. last to lay) has just started crouching and you can see she's not happy about it when I take advantage of her crouching to stroke her - she squeaks and glares at me but she just can't fight the instinct...

 

Ours are still not 'cuddly' but the two laying regularly are much calmer. I can pick them up if I need to but I don't do it too often - I'm slightly nervous they might flap about and hurt themselves in a panic. One (Lucy the ) will jump on my lap for a treat but the other two are still a bit reluctant.

[Chicken Kitty]

Thanks jennym

It makes sense

I gave them a little stroke when I closed the eglu door tonight, as they were sleepy they didn't seem too worried!

I'll keep on sitting near them and talking to them to build up some trust.....The neighbours think I'm a bit potty, but oh well!