pixiewish Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 I picked up the girls on saturday and they seem to be setling in well. I want to give them a good check over and a dust with diatom in case of any mites/lice but a. Not sure how to go about doing it. Or even if I really need to as there is diatom in their coop, dust bath and a sprinkling over the hemcore in the run. Also how do I go about getting them used to being handled. I don't want to scare them but obviously need to start somewhere.... I was planning to leave it a good couple of weeks before I let them FR...does hat sound about right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan08 Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 Congratulations on your new girls If they have diatom in their bedding then they will dustbathe themselves so I wouldn't worry too much for now. You can do it as you get more used to handling them. For handling, most girls are a little skittish and their hackles will go up when you pick them up, some gentle stroking and chatting will help them relax. Some people prefer to wait until bedtime when they are a little sleepy and less likely to struggle. A good tip I had on here was to hold and stroke them until they are calm then place them back gently onto the ground. Would agree you will be best to give them a couple of weeks to settle into their new home before you let them out to FR. Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucker1 Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 Welcome to chicken world!!! It is very addictive and very satisfying! I started with 4 chickens less than 2 years ago and now have 8. I was paranoid about the handling thing, when we got our new girls. They do make it easier for you to handle when they come into lay. Also, I have learnt, cuddling, stroking some chickens is just not for them and others love it! Good luck with your new girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 Welcome .I only just yesterday wrote a post on here about "One year on" When I got my girls a year ago I loved them to bit instantly but was petrified of them coming towards me ...I put a post on here asking for advice.A year on ,what on earth was I scared of Just gently stroke them for a few days and then gently pick them up close to you with the other hand and put them down gently.Also put some corn or a little treat in the cup of your hand to get them used to you . As for dusting them ,I never bother I have diatrom in their coup on the floor and also in their dust bath. A year later am I sounding like an expert I'm certainly not I am still learning something new every day... by the way one of my girls a year later will still not let me pick her up easily and only occasionally will let me stroke her.So if one won't let you don't let it bother you . Good luck Jackie x. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 I'd make friends with them first with things like meal worms (which they'll adore) and a few biscuit crumbs held in your hand. Then I'd pick them up off their perch one at a time, and give them a stroke, last thing before you shut them up. They'll be at their most docile then and that'll give you a bit of self confidence in holding them. You are probably doing the right thing about not letting them FR right now as the last thing you want before you have got them ready to eat off your hand is to frighten them and yourself by chasing them all over the garden One thing I did (rather late in my chicken keeping days, I admit) was to go on one of Omlet's chicken keeping courses where we were shown how to handle our chooks and put diatom on their bots. It was a real help as well as being so enjoyable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixiewish Posted June 18, 2012 Author Share Posted June 18, 2012 Thanks everyone for your replies, I feel a bit better now. Had a little hold of each of them when I got in from work today...Korma didn't seem to mind at all, Tikka was a bit flighty, but Pie was having none of it. Have tried offering treats on my hand, but they won't come near enough to realise what's there yet! I am supposed to be going on a chicken keeping course next month, but haven't heard from the organisers recently so need to chase that up. Think it'll will definitely help build my confidence in looking after them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucker1 Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 Yes Pixiewish, it does take a bit of confidence with them. Soon you will become a dab hand at it. I went on a chicken course organised by Omlet, which was really good, as it was the basics of chicken keeping, including holding them and that is what I needed. Good luck, shame you don't live in deep Surrey or I would say come and have a look at my girls and I could show you how to hold them. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixiewish Posted June 18, 2012 Author Share Posted June 18, 2012 Did just have a lovely pre-bedtime bonding experience with them. Went out to tuck them in for the night and figured I'd offer them some corn on my hand as a treat, they were abit tentative but all eventually tucked in, with Korma even hopping up onto my arm to get a better vantage point Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 Well done. You are well and truly hooked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucker1 Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 Arrr, that is what chicken keeping is all about.........and fresh scrummy eggs!XX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted June 19, 2012 Share Posted June 19, 2012 Did just have a lovely pre-bedtime bonding experience with them. Went out to tuck them in for the night and figured I'd offer them some corn on my hand as a treat, they were abit tentative but all eventually tucked in, with Korma even hopping up onto my arm to get a better vantage point Congratulations That's the way to do it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
