Can I start this thread with a mad face???

[Frozen Feathers]

Have you tried just sitting on the ground with a handful of feed and letting them come to you?? Mine will follow me all over, but the majority of them won't let me catch them easily, they withe palm ll however climb in my lap for a good treat, or even just their feed. I hold the treat in of my hand and if one pecks too hard I move my hand from them. It seems to work pretty well. I'll also pet them when I do this, they just have to get used to your touch. I've never been ultra cuddly with my birds, but they will eat out of my hands. It just takes time for them to really get used to you.

 

[hisbride]

Poppycat I think you are right. They are close to being ready to lay. I am thinking this way although hubby keeps saying no they are not LOL. The older ladies we have don't behave this way but now they are so much older and set in their ways and we don't try to pick them up. My hubby picks up our black one and she does squat.
I like th eidea of having a pole inthe center to tent my netting. Now if I could climb over the fencing I would be in good shape.
Thanks for all the encouragement!

 

[wren]

Hisbride, if they are hurting you, I guess they are being mean and dominate. My babies (24 days old) are so gentle most of the time. Just today I was wearing sandals with my toes painted red and a few chicks would nibble around my toes like they are grooming me but they didn't hurt me. I've never gone in the coop with bare feet and I was happily surprised. Occaisionally, maybe 1xs a week, one will stand stick straight, face off, and try to be mean, but I catch the baby on the ground loosely with one hand and they complain quite loudly while the rest of the group freezes and stares. Then I peck back with my index finger once or twice until they submit by holding quite still. Then I release my loose grip, they hold very still for maybe 4 secs. then go back with the others. I do not do anything harder than a tap. No harm no fowl. Hee hee. It's a groaner I know. Come to think of it, only two of the group of 33 have attempted to take me on and I've only given this correction 3 times.

Back to the subject. This is the first group of chicks that I've done this with, and I'm happy with the results so far. I've had chickens that turned mean and I don't want to go through that again. Your hens may not respond to my treatment for aggression because of their age. But if you could manage it it's one of the most reasonable ways chickens correct eachother.

Life is too short to suffer with mean birds. Especially since you want to hold and pet them. I agree that swatting is not good. I've tried it, and it just escalates the situation. Maybe there is someone in your area who just wants chickens that lay, not pets who would be happy to own your dominate hens. Just think of the cuddling that you could do if all your birds were friendly and you did not have to worry about being pecked. I know that I'm not the only one with a chair in my chicken coop.

 

[SeattleAeris]

I just discovered the extent of chicken's obsessions with shiny thing. My adult Plymouth white never bites me on purpose. But a few nights ago, I was bringing her to her cage. It was just after I had taken a shower and my eyes were full of water, so they were glistening. You can see where this is going. Im hugging her as I walk and then BAM! she pecks me square in the eye. I had a red spot for about 3 days and now its normal. The point is, they love shiny things.

 

[wendy]

Quote:
gosh, be careful. i saw some bad eye injuries when i was a ophtamology tech for six years! yall be careful with fireworks too! please!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Whirlwind]

I also have 3 BR's and got them when they were 5 months old. They don't want me to touch them or pick them up. But one follows me around the yard like a dog making sure she does not miss treats. They don't try to peck me unless I am feeding red grapes.

Don't do that with your toes painted red.

I just keep telling them NO. They seem to get it cause they always stop when I say that. Keep telling them No and Mean it when you say it. I hope they cut that out soon for you. Sorry about your Red Stars. I have 2 Golden Comets and they are just sweeties. They don't really like it when I pick them up but they let me anyway.