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[Luvachicken]

Whenever I pick my chickens up to give them a cuddle they always seem to struggle when I go to put them back down on the ground. This results in me getting quite big scratches on my arms which hurts . Can I catch anything from their chicken feet when they break my skin ?

 

I usually try to bend down, but before I'm ready they struggle free and I let go because I don't want to hurt them. And then they use my arms as a launching pad - hence the scratches. The breeder I got them from showed me how to hold their feet/legs when you have a chicken in your hands so I was wondering if I don't hold them tight enough

Can someone tell me what I'm doing wrong ?

[JanTheDiver]

I always make sure my hands are over their wings as I put them down so they can't flap and then their feet are in the right position to just put them on the ground.

 

But occasionally they want to get down quicker than I am ready for, then this can cause some flapping and scratching, but I don't get this often.

 

Hope this helps

 

Jan

[Ain't Nobody Here]

If they start to struggle, I usually throw them into the air (gently ) so they can flap down to earth .

[Redwing]

Do hold them quite tightly

 

As you bend down to put them down swivel your hand thats between the legs round to their wing and your other hand over their other wing this leaves their legs dangling so you can put them down

 

Alternatively keep hold of the legs and bend down then whip your hand away completely so they drop the last foot or so, it wont hurt them

 

Another option is to have a perch a couple of feet off the ground where you can more easily place them so they can jump down, the top of the Eglu run would be good for example if they free range or the lip of the eggport door, something that means you can more easily control their legs

[Chortle Chook]

Thanks for this post luvachicken and for the advice, you others. I too have found that my chickens get in a flap as I put them down and though they don't seem to scratch me, as I usually wear long sleaves I do always feel there must be a better way.

[gongladosh]

There's usually a lot of slapping and occasional scratches. Of the 5 hens I've had, only ex-boss Kiki got the hang of being put on the floor 'properly'

[jennym]

I always make sure my hands are over their wings as I put them down so they can't flap and then their feet are in the right position to just put them on the ground.

Jan

 

This works most of the time for me, but a good firm hold of the legs (with a finger between, the way I was shown at the breeders') also helps prevent scratches.. I also find that they flap less if I don't bend over - e.g. keep my back straight and bend only my knees. I think that bending over shifts their weight around - not to mention it puts me sort of 'looming' above them - and they get nervous and try to flap/scratch to safety.

[Luvachicken]

Thanks for all the advice. You have all been so helpful . I have managed to pick up 3 of my girls so far, but that was before I sent the question. Now it is the Summer holidays for me I intend to practise picking them up and putting them down as has been suggested.

 

Although I only have small chickens I also have small hands and I did find it easier to have one leg between my little and ring finger and the other leg between my thumb and first finger. I hope this works............happy summer holidays everybody.