mojoojo Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 Hiya I had my 2 chickens last Tuesday so a week now, how do you go about picking up the chickens, I have tried to stroke them and let them eat out of my hands I have tried to pick up Babs, but she just got very distressed and ran away, I don't want to hurt them, and Ginger I can't even get close to she just runs away!! I want them to be my friends!!! lol otherwise everythings going great, chickens are ace!!!!! Many thanks Nat xxx Babs Ginger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 Hi Nat and welcome to the forum trying taking them out of the egg port when its dark and they are sleepy. Chickens are naturally more docile at night. Encourage them near you during the day with sweetcorn. They love it. Also, when they come into lay, they will crouch in front of you (thinking you are the cockeral). This makes it easier to get hold of them and they seem more relaxed. Glad you are enjoying them. All the best p.s here is a link to a questionaire, we are a nosey bunch http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=303 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KateP Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 Hi, I'm also a newbie - my chickens arrived about 5 weeks ago. I struggled to pick them up at first but took advice off this forum and started to pick them up each evening after they had put themselves to bed which has really got them used to being handled. I don't know what I would do without all the good advice on here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 Welcome aboard KateP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krysia Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 Hi Kate and Nat Yes pick them up at night and sweetcorn or grapes will get them close to you and gain their trust. When we first got ours 1 of us would entice them with food and the other would pick them up from behind kind of tasking them by surprise, It may seem a little cruel but they let you know if they don;t want to be picked up and you just let them go. It didn't take long and now they are really happy being picked up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 Hi, I've had my 3 girls for 3 weeks and have been persevering with the advice on here. It's working . Feed them by hand every day (one of mine jumps on my lap quite happily if I've got food - I even got 2 of them on my knees at the same time today with some sweetcorn in my hand!) Take them out of the eglu after they've gone to bed (one each evening) and bring them into the house for a cuddle. Don't chase them - give them treats & while they're eating press down gently but firmly on their backs (so their legs can't move!), pick them up and tuck them under one arm - you do have to be quite firm holding their wings against their bodies or they'll try to flap. I was quite nervous about how hard to hold them but you can be quite firm in your grip. One of mine is laying now so does the sqatting thing - instantly recognisable when they do it for the first time! Makes it much easier to pick her up. Sorry to be so long-winded but I'm so happy it's all working out! I love my girlies & they love my food! Persevere, you'll get there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arowland17 Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 do they not mind being woken up at night to be picked up?? We're going to start doing this (have been putting off going out there in the cold windy wet weather at night!!) - how long roughly does it take to get them used to being picked up if we picked them up every night from the eglu?? Nugget is easier to pick up during the daytime and we often have to pick her up off the patio where she stands and eats the peppers and deposit her at the back of the garden (I half think she stands there on purpose to get carried the whole way!!) but Buttercup is extremely difficult to pick up and will run away rather than squat (they're both laying) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 We're not that mean! We get them out pretty soon after they've gone in so they're just sleepy . I don't know if they ever really end up wanting to be picked up but they don't seem to object too much now (it's been 3 weeks). I still have to use distraction techniques & presume I always will. It's easier with Molly who's laying now, so hopefully the others will be the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 Hi to Nat and Kate I used to get mine out of the eglu every two or three nights - not only does it get them a bit more used to being picked up but it's a good time to give them a quick health check. My two are now used to being picked up by me although they usually only allow it the once a day - after that it's a chase round the garden job!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 Hi there, welcome to Omlet! We never picked ours up at night they just were so greedy / nosey / inquisitive that they couldn't resist the lure of dried mealworms. Once the kids got the hang of it they ended up being carried round the garden one at a time nearly all day! We've still got one that's nearly impossible to atch (Leghorn - nothing at ALL like the breed description ) and another two that are reluctant, but Hermione, Rainbow, and now Duck and Loveheart are gluttons or punishment and keep coming back for more. It took a couple of weeks but they got there in the end Enjoy! Mrs Bertie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 We've still got one that's nearly impossible to catch Mrs Bertie Me too! Artemis Fowl will not co-operate at all. I use my son's angling net to haul her in when needed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgainey Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 I have had the chooks for a fortnight and the 2 GNR's from Omlet were quite calm at being handled from the start. They are responsive to treats. We have grapes at hand to tempt them! Its a case of just a little step at a time. They become more responsive to you each day, bit by bit you should see a difference. It is a nice feeling now that they respond to your call (or more likely your offer of treats!) I can now pick them up quite easily although if my 18 month son is outside making a lot of noise the girls are a bit more reluctant to be out of the run or be handled. I guess things will setlle in time. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mojoojo Posted October 8, 2007 Author Share Posted October 8, 2007 Thanks to everyone for their help, I have managed to pick Babs up but Ginger just runs constantly (even when "Ooops, word censored!"ody is behind her!!). I am going to try picking them up at night....seems slightly mean but if it works i'll try it! I am still awaiting my first egg... No doubt it will arrive whilst i'm on holiday! Thanks again to every one Nat xx Babs Ginger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 Hi I'm sure someone has said it already, but I couldn't see it when I quickly scanned down the postings. When you hold them support them on one hand with the bird looking back along your arm (I usually use my right hand) and with their legs between your first & second, and second & third fingers. Take the weight of the bird on the palm of your hand. Your other hand (usually my left) is then free to tuck down the wings and stroke the chicken. I find they will sit there really really calmly and rest their head in the crook of my elbow. Liz, who I have to pick up several times to sort her nose ring etc. which she doesn't like, creates as I go to pick her up ('coz she remembers!) but once in my arm she just sits there and burbles gently and just doesn't move - she sort of lies along my arm - I can walk around and do whatever and she doesn't shift or struggle or anything. If you have biggish birds, like mine, they can be heavy and it is really important to have them well supported. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
