Shelly Eggs Posted August 19, 2007 Share Posted August 19, 2007 Hi everyone, we got our first two chickens a few days ago - a lovely small Golden Rocket called Mildred and an absolutely huge Sussex Comet called Gertrude (who looks more like a turkey). They are both approx 17-18 weeks old. Millie is getting used to us and we are able to stroke her and take her out of the egg port at night for a quick cuddle successfully. However, Gertrude is so big it is difficult getting her out and when we do, she struggles a lot. So much in fact that my partner got badly scratched on his arms last night by the claws on her feet. Any handling advice would be gratefully received! Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Pearsons Posted August 19, 2007 Share Posted August 19, 2007 I think it is a matter of time. When they start laying they become more docile. Just feed them a few treats when you go out and they will soon come to associate you with special food and come running..... Good luck. Helen in Hume Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathy C Posted August 20, 2007 Share Posted August 20, 2007 Where long sleeves when you pick them up until you are confident they wont struggle too much. Then.... Standing behind the hen, make an arch with your hands. Fix the arch over her wings and lift. Bring her towards your chest. Move left hand to underneath her chest, fingers between her legs. That's it... Keep practicing, they will get used to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted August 20, 2007 Share Posted August 20, 2007 Shelly Eggs, Did you get your chooks from Garden Poultry? I got a Blue Comet from there and she is enormous! My OH and I were saying only yesterday that she looks like a small turkey - and to be honest I am a bit scared of her! She makes so much noise that a cockerel would be redundant in that department and she has very beady eyes! In spite of her size etc, she is fine to pick up in the way described above. And we love her very much! Amanda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelly Eggs Posted August 20, 2007 Author Share Posted August 20, 2007 Hi Tweety, yes I got both chooks from Garden Poultry Perhaps they're mutant chooks or a bizarre chicken/turkey cross. Gave them some weetabix today but they turned their noses up at it . The sweetcorn went down an absolute treat though They make such a mess when eating, we were covered in sweetcorn juice by the end of the feeding frenzy! We'll just have to persevere with picking them up, it doesn't help when we're scared of them though, I'm sure they're picking up on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 grip firmly! in my first few weeks I was too nervous, and once they start flapping, I got very scared. I've discovered that a firm grip actually seems to make the chicken relax a bit more. And it does get easier when they come into lay, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puffball Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 When I go to my ladies pen they come running to me-I can call them and they come just like a dog! If you make a certain noise when you feed them then they will assosiate food with that noise, so you can call them and they come to you. That might help with getting them to come to you. I like pretending they are little babies and rock them-they seem to like it. I also sit them on my lap and stroke them-once Ebony fell asleep on me-it was sooooooooo cute! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
