mumtotwomonkeys Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 Hiya all, We pick up 2 speckledys tomorrow, really excited and so are kids already named them Tink and Minnie. We have a go and was wondering how long we leave them in the run to get settled etc before they can go and reak havock to my garden. Also when will it be okay for my lil ones to start trying to hold them, they are 5 and 4? Many thanks in advance and hope to have many happy years on this board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 Hi and welcome Leave the hens in their run for a week then start letting them out an hour or so before dark for a few days just to test the water and be happy they know where home is as they will go in to roost just before dark then progress from there - always supervise unless you have electric fence The hens will be extremely docile after they have gone to roost so that is the best time to try handling them not sure if that's past your two monkey's bedtime though!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumtotwomonkeys Posted August 18, 2011 Author Share Posted August 18, 2011 Thanks for the reply, will let you know how we get on. Hopefully get some pics on here tomorrow x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammy72 Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 I picked mine up on a Wednesday and they had their first time our of the run on the Saturday just for a short time. I made sure it was without distractions (i.e. our dogs) in the garden and they seemed to know to go back to their run/coop as a safe place. You are supposed to wait a week though. In terms of handling them I left them alone for a week and then started sitting in the run with them so they got used to me. I then started feeding them corn out of a container lid and now from my hand (although children might not like this as they do peck a bit). I let my nephews in with them after 2 weeks but they have chickens anyway so know not to chase or grab at them. I can now pick both of mine up for a cuddle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 Oh how exciting. Getting your first chooks is like being a child before Christmas all over again isn't it? I'd certainly resist letting your little ones hold the chooks for at least 24hrs after their arrival, to give them a little while to settle down in their new coop. Then, as Redwing says, the best time for handling lessons would be when the light is low and the chooks are on their perch, thinking about shut eye, as they will be very docile then and unlikely to do that flapping thing that most children find rather frightening. As for when to let them out, that rather depends on the size of your garden, but even if the garden is small you really want to avoid running round and round the garden after your chickens as that will stress them and will turn even the most gentle of people into . So again I'd let them out just before light falls and then gradually extend the time. I'd also recommend getting them hooked on your ability to provide nice mealworms before you do give them their freedom. If you rattle a coloured mug or tub with mealworms in, each time you give them these treats, your chickens will very quickly come to associate you with goodies and will come running to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammy72 Posted August 19, 2011 Share Posted August 19, 2011 yep! mine do a sprint if they see me with the corn container. Infact Snowflake tried to run through the netting yesterday to get to me so will have to think about my route so that she doesn't hurt herself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
