ktdot Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 Do chickens actually enjoy being stroked and cuddled? I've had mine nearly 4 weeks and have tried not to stress them by picking them up too much but have now decided they've had long enough to settle in and i need to cuddle them. They are getting 'slightly' easier to pick up after I've distracted them with food but they seem to just tolerate being held and stroked and mutter away in chickeny noises. If I relax my hold on them they are off in a flurry of indignant feathers and give themself a good shake and fluff up in disgust. Will they ever enjoy it or are some chickens just more tolerant of being touched than others? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 I think it does depend on the individuals personality, but try and handle them when they go to bed. Just a few minutes each night, as they are more placid at night time. This should get them used to being handled more. Also when they start to lay and 'crouch', they are easier to grab! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisa33 Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 Bobbi chicken is quite happy to sit and have cuddles. Rae tolerates it for about 20 seconds and Cynthia won't have any of it. I think it is down to the chicken really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 One of mine refuses to be cuddled but the others tolerate it to varying degrees. They are much easier to catch one they start squatting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocolatedog Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 Mine aren't that keen - I can catch Ginger quite easily but she's off the moment I release my hold on her. Pepper tries to avoid contact (even though she squats she then nimbly dodges out of the way!!!) and Spice - can't get near her yet - oh roll on the day she starts laying!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 its been wet here today and hubby had Coco wrapped in a towel sat cuddling her in front of the tumble dryer vent this evening! Ella our big original chook likes to be stroked....she's not fond at first being picked up, but after some soothing strokes she really relaxes and loves it. Handling early and frequent will get your chooks used to it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chooks Aloud Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 All 3 of mine love being cuddled and stroked. If I sit in the run on a chair and pat my lap, Dolly jumps up and settles down on it. They all enjoy being rocked and stroked and close their eyes in contentment. Don't you just love chooks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 one of my cats won't even do that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickaboo Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 I too think it depends on the chicken, Ruby used to hate it. But my others do seem to like it, Daphne will actually shut her eyes and purrr with a good back scratch And Phoebe is happy to be held and carried around at any time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James H Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 I think it does depend on the individuals personality, but try and handle them when they go to bed. Just a few minutes each night, as they are more placid at night time. This should get them used to being handled more. Also when they start to lay and 'crouch', they are easier to grab! corerto! when blinky started laying whenever i approched she croached, in a second blinky is picked up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
