A little friendly help needed

[purdychick]

I have 4 hens. Only 1 is lovable. She lets me play with her and every time I go outback she is the first one to yell and say hello. The others always run away. I try to give them treats to come closer. I think I’m making progress with one, but the other two, no way, no how will they come near me. Any suggestions on how to build a stronger bond?

 

[cherrynberry]

I have 4 hens. Only 1 is lovable. She lets me play with her and every time I go outback she is the first one to yell and say hello. The others always run away. I try to give them treats to come closer. I think I’m making progress with one, but the other two, no way, no how will they come near me. Any suggestions on how to build a stronger bond?

Definitely hand feed them a lot before you feed their normal feed. Then cuddle/hold them often. I also recommend training them to a call...just make the same call everytime you feed them

 

[purdychick]

Definitely hand feed them a lot before you feed their normal feed. Then cuddle/hold them often. I also recommend training them to a call...just make the same call everytime you feed them

Thanks! I’ll do it all!

 

[piminuse]

Do your girls have an enclosed space you can just hang out and chill in? When my gals were in their rowdy/flighty teen days I would sit on a stool and read in their run. They got used to my presence and started associating me with more positive things instead of the "beast that periodically scoops them up and holds them against their will."

I would recommend:

Toss out treats with an associated call (here chick chick, c'mon girls, hey ladies...whatever, as long as its consistent). That will be the "Pavlov's bell" that'll send 'em running when they're used to it. After tossing the treats hang out low, squatted or on a stool, and have them eat around you. Don't talk or move towards them. Just let them exist with you in the same space. Again, this is easier in an enclosed space because then they can't get away from you muahaha.

After a few days start tossing the treats closer to you, maybe at your feet. Don't make a move at them but just let them mill about right next to you. Eventually you should be able to make the call, squat with your hand out with treats and they should eat from your hand. They'll start associating you with a lot of positivity--do NOT betray their trust and try to swoop them up for cuddles! Some birds just don't like to be held, but the ones who ease up around you might start hopping up on your lap for treats and you can work with that. Respect their boundaries and enjoy their company.

Good luck!

 

[svh]

In my short experience, some are "people poultry", and some aren't.

I have 15 birds, 9 of them are 9 weekish old, and only 1 will let me pick her up easily, 3, I have to do a sneaky grab to handle, 8 others will eat from my hand, and 3 won't come near me !

These are more livestock than pets though, so I don't put in a whole lot of time with them ..... Good luck !

 

[Hei 20]

I have 4 hens. Only 1 is lovable. She lets me play with her and every time I go outback she is the first one to yell and say hello. The others always run away. I try to give them treats to come closer. I think I’m making progress with one, but the other two, no way, no how will they come near me. Any suggestions on how to build a stronger bond?

Live mealworms, they go coocoo for them. hold some on your hands, they all come running.

 

[purdychick]

Do your girls have an enclosed space you can just hang out and chill in? When my gals were in their rowdy/flighty teen days I would sit on a stool and read in their run. They got used to my presence and started associating me with more positive things instead of the "beast that periodically scoops them up and holds them against their will."

I would recommend:

Toss out treats with an associated call (here chick chick, c'mon girls, hey ladies...whatever, as long as its consistent). That will be the "Pavlov's bell" that'll send 'em running when they're used to it. After tossing the treats hang out low, squatted or on a stool, and have them eat around you. Don't talk or move towards them. Just let them exist with you in the same space. Again, this is easier in an enclosed space because then they can't get away from you muahaha.

After a few days start tossing the treats closer to you, maybe at your feet. Don't make a move at them but just let them mill about right next to you. Eventually you should be able to make the call, squat with your hand out with treats and they should eat from your hand. They'll start associating you with a lot of positivity--do NOT betray their trust and try to swoop them up for cuddles! Some birds just don't like to be held, but the ones who ease up around you might start hopping up on your lap for treats and you can work with that. Respect their boundaries and enjoy their company.

Good luck!

Thank you so much. This is what I needed to know. I am doing most of that. They do have an enclosed space and I do try to hang out with them. The one that loves me comes right up to me and tries to grab whatever I’m holding. She will lump up and try to get it! She knows it’s a treat. But I normally just scatter treats around. I’ll definitely try sitting and putting the treats around me. Thanks again. Much appreciated!

 

[purdychick]

Live mealworms, they go coocoo for them. hold some on your hands, they all come running.

My husband did that. I’m not a fan of them in my hand! But maybe they will grow on me! I will try anything for my little friends!

 

[purdychick]

In my short experience, some are "people poultry", and some aren't.

I have 15 birds, 9 of them are 9 weekish old, and only 1 will let me pick her up easily, 3, I have to do a sneaky grab to handle, 8 others will eat from my hand, and 3 won't come near me !

These are more livestock than pets though, so I don't put in a whole lot of time with them ..... Good luck !

Thanks. I think if I spend more quality time with them and do some of the other suggestions they will all be my BFF’s!!

 

[member 592157]

I'll pretty much echo what the others say, great advice! I also will just catch one and sit on the ground and hold it firmly in my arms. Make sure to hold down the wings and press firmly on the back. Pretty much all my birds will calm down in about a minute, and after awhile they will just sit there. And that's with some of my most flighty birds. Idk why they do that but it does seem like a chicken will calm pretty fast if their wings are held firmly against them. But you may get flapped in the face a couple of times before you get the technique right again treat often and just sitting in the coop will soon have them used to you- I have sat out there for hours before. I also have my special call for scraps and treats and they come running-it hilarious good luck!