Chicken bald back

[xsoggyx]

We have had our girls for 4 weeks now but still they will not let me touch them. If left alone they are happy to come right up to me and even eat from my hand.

 

I have tried to pick them up VERY slowley but they run away. When using the egg port, they move as far away as possible. I dont want to scare them but not sure what else to do.

 

WHAT IS THE SECRET? I want my cuddles god dam it !!!!

 

 

Also, only 1 is laying the eggs, o woo is me !

[Lovemychooks]

Hi

 

Why don't you try stroking them at night when they are at their most docile, they'll soon get used to it and in no time you'll be able to give them cuddles. Hope it helps.

[ChickNic]

I have the same problem! Gretchen is really friendly and doesn't mind being picked up, she'll even come and sit on your leg and we've only had her a week. Daisy on the other hand is really skittish. If you try and pick her up she sqaurks and flaps like mad. We've got her eating corn out of the hand, but she backs away if you even try and stroke her. Chicken training tips welcome please!

[The Dogmother]

They'll be easier to pick out through the egg port when they are sleepy, so wait until it's nearly dark and they'll be more dozy.

 

Your girls will be loads more biddable when they start to lay, so don't worry. Feed them treats like corn from your hand and you might get a quick stroke in then too.

[Richard]

Hi

 

None of mine have ever been really keen on being picked up. when they are laying they are easier to pick up as they will crouch down if you hold your hand directly over them (they think its a cockeral). Then you can pick them up. Once picked up mine are usually fine being petted, stroked whatever, especially if you hold them properly with a hand underneath supporting them.

 

My Pepperpot and my North Holland will run to eat out of my hand. The Orps will also eat out of my hand, but less readily.

 

The others won't come near me.

[Leicester_H]

None of mine have ever been really keen on being picked up.

 

Same here - my 2 tolerate it to keep in with me re. treats but I don't think they enjoy it as such. The more tired they are the longer it is until they fidget. I try to pick them up every time they free range, if only for a few minutes, just to keep them used to it , just in case I NEED to hold them

 

I assume that just how chickens are ?????????????

 

H

[Guest]

They are at there most docile at night so that is the best time to handle them...

 

Be patient!

 

And remember every hen has a different personallity just like every other animal and human! So some will love the attention and some will be shy and scared. Some will over indulge on treats and some will be bullys.

 

Learn to love the different characteristics of your hens...

[Mel (& Paul)]

Very profound - you sound far too intellectual to be on this forum

[James H]

no wonder! they wont after 4 weeks, maybe even 20! it takes time for them to get tame. One may not cuddle you after a couple of years, it depends on the chicken but dont worry because you hav only had them 4 weeks so its not very likely they will have cuddles just yet, its frustrating because i want cuddles from my chooks as well!

[Guest]

Very profound - you sound far too intellectual to be on this forum

 

lol I'm assuming you mean me?

 

I'm only talking from experience. I "currently" (the number keeps growing) have 20 hens and they are all completely different!

 

I have one hen that sits and stays on her egg making noise once she lays it until I arrive then she hops off the nest! I think she is worried one of the other hens will steal or eat it or something - strange but sweet...

 

I have also found though that the more hens I add the more they come to you! So it's almost attention an seeking thing and wanting to be the first to get the treats before they run out, so my recommendation to everyone is keep adding to your chooks and get as many as you can!!! (Not that you needed me to tell you that)

[Mel (& Paul)]

yes - our girls ("currently" numbered at 12 plus one bantam) look as if they are almost jumping up and down, hands in the air "pick me pick me"

[Richard]

Nothing to do with this thread, but I see (Mel & Paul) that you have, in your sig, several Eglus with hens matched up to each one. Do they go back to their 'own' Eglus at the end of the day, or is it a free for all with them ending up randomly distributed?

 

Just being nosy! Tell me to mind my own business if you want to - I won't be offended!

 

I have my hens in the big run with the cube, and also have the eglu in there. they all kip in the cube; the Eglu is shut up. Having seen your sig, I wondered what would happen if I opened it up to see if any of them fancied a night alone - or maybe they might all try to get in there!

 

I keep it separate, with the run attached, inside the big run in case I need to isolate any of them. I did when Liz started feather plucking until the antipecking bits arrived, and I anticipate using it again when the Cochins arrive to keep them there for a while, in the middle of the big run so that the others can see them, before letting them join the rest.

[Mel (& Paul)]

No, we have three eglus all attached to a huge pen that all the chickens except Nigella aka The Lone Ranger live in (they free range when we are around).

 

Nigella has a home made wooden ark that she lives in on her own

 

Eliza lives in a wooden ark too.

[Richard]

So they all go to the right place when they roost? No 'I think I'll go for a sleep over with someone else tonight' - no swapping around?

[The Dogmother]

Sounds like some sort of racy swingers night

[Mel (& Paul)]

We'll have NONE of that behaviour thank you claret!

 

 

Jerryldene has turned into a cantankerous old chook and often sleeps in one eglu by herself

[Richard]

Sounds like some sort of racy swingers night

 

I think I need to take a cold shower and go and lie down.

 

and I thought this was a respectable forum ......