Are your chickens tame????

[CKNNWBEE]

I agree with the chickens are pets. They have a purpose that is just a bonus in my eyes. We got our first egg today! I am just not firm enough when holding them. I am awkward and they just hop off. I will keep trying. When I pet them, they keep walking.

 

[lahowardjr]

I don't know how good a pet a chicken would be although I've seen chicken "diapers" for them to wear in the home.

Mine do follow me in the yard and I pick them up and feed them a grass hopper as a treat when they allow me to handle them. I'll also scratch the ground with my boot and call "chick, chick, chick" to call them over to get a grub or cricket I've found. I only have hens and I would call them very tame. I'll hate the day when I have to butcher them.....and that's the problem with raising a chicken as a pet. I enjoy the light work and the benefit of fresh eggs but in the end my chickens are livestock and will probably end up as diner one day. I know there are two camps here with chickens but that's the one I pitch my tent in.

 

[CKNNWBEE]

I didn't know about calling them over by scratching the ground. Well, in the grand scheme chickens are food. Two kinds of food if you want to be technical. We raised her for eggs, when she retires she won't be for food, but 100% pet. If I could maintain a strict view of them being for meat, I would. So these girls are pets and family. I have no problem with someone treating an animal with kindness and then as sustenance for their body (the way Our Creator allows). Better to have an animal that lives a happy life and treated as it should be.

 

[lahowardjr]

I agree that cruelty is obscene. I enjoy raising my BackYard chickens. I take care of them and they take care of us. I believe my hens are "tame" and through moderate handling, any hen can be tamed. I'm not so convinced the same holds true for roosters. As for retirement....their replacement is standing in the wings.

 

[missnu01]

All of my chickens will come running up to me and hang out by my feet, but if I try to touch them they move back...they don't run, or fly, but they move back just out of reach...only 1 will eat from my hand, but he is the big rooster that is afraid of nothing...Only one out of 10 chickens acts like I am the devil...she is never happy to see me. At least the others want whatever treats I have...but not her. If looks could kill I wouldn't be typing right now.

 

[CKNNWBEE]

Wow, there is nothing worse than a pet who doesn't like you. My girls come close too, but when the hand goes down the slink away. If looks could kill, haha

 

[lahowardjr]

Mine will also run. When they get under your feet, pick one up and put it under your arm like a football. Talk and walk a little with it for a few minutes and gently put it down. Over time, they will quit squawking and fussing. They'll get used to the handling and if you give it a treat, it will learn to accept the new behavior. (Maybe even "Devil Hen"

)

 

[missnu01]

I don't know how good a pet a chicken would be although I've seen chicken "diapers" for them to wear in the home.

Mine do follow me in the yard and I pick them up and feed them a grass hopper as a treat when they allow me to handle them. I'll also scratch the ground with my boot and call "chick, chick, chick" to call them over to get a grub or cricket I've found. I only have hens and I would call them very tame. I'll hate the day when I have to butcher them.....and that's the problem with raising a chicken as a pet. I enjoy the light work and the benefit of fresh eggs but in the end my chickens are livestock and will probably end up as diner one day. I know there are two camps here with chickens but that's the one I pitch my tent in.

I agree 100% there are no pet chickens..or rather they are egg giving "pets"...but once they stop laying they are food...first and foremost they are food. Are they food I can fraternize with for a short time...yes...but food just the same.

 

[jksranch]

My hens are pets. They come to me when I call them and a few will take treats out of my hand especially if it is a live mealworm. The roosters I treat just the same, that said if I start having problems with a rooster or 2 they become dinner. Right now I have 3 large roosters 1 is a light Brahma the other 2 are crossed with Americanas. I have cattle that I can't pet but each has a name and comes when they are called however they will go to the sale when they are old enough or for any other reason.