Eggshell Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 I've read up on how to hold a chicken, so I know in theory what to do, but my chickens don't want to be picked up. I managed to pick up the calmest for a few days while she was eating mealworms, but now she knows what to expect and just dodges around the moment she sees my hands coming. The other two are even more flighty. On the other hand, they don't mind pecking around me and getting in my way when I'm not trying to pick them up - they seem to know instantly if its 'safe' or not. Any suggestions about how to get them to cooperate? I want to be able to check them over at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Wait till they've gone to bed - it won't be completely dark, but they will be sleepy and co-operative. Get them used to being handled and gradually it will get easier. It also gets easier once they are laying, as they should crouch when you approach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted July 2, 2014 Share Posted July 2, 2014 Just potter around the garden and give them treats while you're out there and they'll soon start coming over to see what you've got for them. If you don't try to pick them up every time they'll often hop onto a patio chair or whatever you're sat on to try and get the treats if you don't volunteer them! I was also going to say, assuming they're younger birds, they'll calm down as they come into lay and get a bit bigger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 None of our birds 'like' to be picked up Eggshell, but frequent handling and a proper hold means they don't fight too much when you have them. As Olly says, roosting time is probably best because they are sleepy, but you may need a torch. Catching them needs a corner to trap them in. The technique I use is to put my right arm to my side and reach with my left (or the other way round). The bird will immediately run the opposite way towards the open space, at which time the other arm is brought down right in front of it. Invariably the bird runs straight into your hand and is easily gathered. Flighty birds are rather more difficult. I wouldn't recommend a fishing net because it terrifies them and you will only get close enough to them with it once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex_LJZ Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 Make them climb on to you knee to get treats, that worked for me. I also sit in the run from time to time. They still try to avoid me but I think it is because they know that if I catch them, they get put back in the run. Odly, what I don't understand is that they let my 4 year old hug them whenever he wants - they even seem to enjoy it..... i'd be scratched to bits.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 That's a lovely picture Alex. It puzzles me as well? Perhaps it is because she is being picked up a completely different way and prefers it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pottage Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 Oh Alex that photo is gorgeous. I wish mine let me do that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 They do take a while to get used to being held, but as Olly said, its a lot easier when they crouch. After 3 years one of the chickens has finally let us hold her for more than 10 seconds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jesschicken24 Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 I got my chickens on Saturday and every time I've opened the run door they have cowered at the other end where I can't reach them. Today, for the first time I was able to get one of them (Luna) to come over to me and eat bread with Marmite from my hand. They won't let me stroke them or pick them up yet but it's a start. Hopefully you're right about it being easier once they start laying, as that could be any day now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 I never pick my chicken up, even though they will eat at my feet and out of my hand, there just never seems the need to, and they can be coaxed anywhere in the garden if I need to move them. They do their own thing (usually eat the flowers at this time of year and have to be flapped away), and they know what nets and things are so they avoid them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted July 3, 2014 Share Posted July 3, 2014 As I have a cat I have the reflex of petting anything that is wandering around my feet. I have caught myself trying to pet the chickens too... They don't really understand and run off. I just keep in mind that chickens are definately chickens and not cats. For the petting I have my cat. For funny things I have my chickens ( they tried stealing plants from my neighbours garden today, by pulling them trough the fence... ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueandwhite Posted July 5, 2014 Share Posted July 5, 2014 I have had four chickens altogether. Two have been happy to be picked up straight away, one will stay with me until I put her down again the other tries to escape. Of the other two I could catch one if I really had to, but now I have Sandy who is the most evasive creature I have ever met! I'm sure I keep the neighbours amused if ever I need to get hold of her. So basically I have no method, it seems to be luck on my part and the personality of the chicken. Good luck with yours; I do envy people who are able to sit and pet them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggshell Posted July 5, 2014 Author Share Posted July 5, 2014 Thanks, everyone. I've got two of them to feed from my hand, so I'll see if I can get them to hop up onto my knee to feed in time. Not sure if the third ever will, but at least we can pick her up after she's gone to bed if we really need to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 5, 2014 Share Posted July 5, 2014 I use an angler's landing net to catch recalcitrant chickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex_LJZ Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 I wonder if this is breed specific. Mine are all hybrids and seem quite accepting of contact. The ex batts even more so... Are posh hens less tactile?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 Like Beantree, none of my hens 'like' being held or handled, although all will tolerate it when needed (apart from my Bluebelle who for a big, fat hen is surprisingly fleet of foot and goes nuts when I so much as look at her ). I try to handle them as little as possible (it's amazing how much you can check/examine when the beak end is occupied with treats) but they do have to put up with it from time to time. Most of my girls will squat when I try to pick them up (they will only do this once they start laying) or they get swiftly cornered and rugby tackled I'm not co-ordinated enough to attempt to use a net. I know who would end up tangled in it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammy72 Posted July 6, 2014 Share Posted July 6, 2014 I have spent time sitting with our new hen and letting her walk near me, then moved on to reaching out and stroking her and feeding her treats. For the first time tonight she let me pick her up. I have had her for a month so it has been slow progress. Doesn't help that she sees the other one run away too. Next challenge is to stop her running from the dogs as the previous hen wandered round garden quite happily with them. I show the new one when I have picked up Snowflake and I always pop her back down next to her so that she can see I have not hurt her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex_LJZ Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 You could borrow a 4 year old for a week, they have boundless energy and basically chase them round for 8 hours or so each day. Hens either starve or get used to contact!! Ultimat fun is watching them mug our 2 year old. Everything she wears is within reach and they peck every button or bow to check if it makes food. she has a polkadot coat and they peck the spots just in case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
