Chicken finds it annoying when i try to pick her up!!

[rosemarythyme]

As others have noted most chickens don't like being picked up or handled very much. Doesn't necessarily have anything to do with how they were raised, which is why hatchmates can act very differently from one another even though they were all raised similarly. If you find a chicken that actually seeks it out, it's a pretty unusual thing.

I have ONE bird that asks to be picked up but she only wants to be picked up, she doesn't want to be petted. But as long as you pick her up exactly like this, she will just sit quietly without issue:

 

[DobieLover]

DobieLover, so if i feed my chicken by hand without picking up them everyday, will they my chicken start trusting me?

It depends on the bird and what you consider 'trust' to be with them.

Most of my flock trusts me. As in, they don't really think I'm going to suddenly swoop down and devour them. But it's not 100%! NONE of them like to be pet or picked up.

I have one hen, and only one, that refuses to eat from my hand. That hen, I had to treat for an impacted crop when she was a pullet, 5 years ago. She's never forgiven me for it and doesn't trust me a bit.

The rooster lets me handle him for spur and leg maintenance. But I think he just takes it so as not to look like a wimp in front of his girls.

You really need to take into consideration the needs of the animals above your own. And you need to settle for what the birds are comfortable with. If you try to force them, you will be stressing them and that isn't fair to them.

 

[nuthatched]

Picking up or holding chickens makes it hard for them to breathe.
Very rarely do they enjoy being touched.

 

[rah]

So i was that dumb FU- i mean thanks for your guys infromation,
i really needed it!!!

 

[fluffycrow]

So i was that dumb FU- i mean thanks for your guys infromation,
i really needed it!!!

We are all here to learn .

Much like most people who have replied, every bird in my group of free ranging LFs does not like being picked up. Only one will some times enjoy a rub on her comb and beak, but should I dare try to touch her anywhere else or pick her up, she's gone.

Another thing about prey animals, they like to be with others of their kind. Call it packs, groups, tribes, flocks, they feel safer and more comfortable with their own. If your bird doesn't have any companions, it would be best to get them some. Since she isn't imprinted on a human, she might do better having some friends of her own

 

[ChicNmom]

Some are naturally more friendly than others. I have a couple that will climb on me or jump on my back when I'm bent over and walk up to my shoulder.

I try to handle mine daily when they are young so they get used to it.

I've noticed they don't like to be picked up from above and behind with hands over wings. Too predator like. But some will tolerate being scooped up from underneath from the front so they know it's me.
Also, once I have them in my arms they are not happy until I put an hand or arm under their feet.

I had one that spent a lot of time in the basement cage for various reasons. She didn't want to be carried up the stairs but if you put your open palms in the door of the cage she would step out and stand on my hands. Then as we would go up the stairs she woudl gently flap her wings. I guess in her mind if she was going upwards then flying of some sort had to be involved.

 

[TeresaW]

What @DobieLover said. We have dogs and cats for picking up and petting. It's a rare bird that will enjoy being picked up and petted, although there are some. But many people here will tell you that once you break those natural barriers, you're setting that bird up to be a victim of a predator. That's why so many people will tell you it's always the favorite that goes first. They lose their protective fear. Respect their fear, it helps to keep them alive.

Tell that to my two cats. Neither of them like to be picked up, and one only likes pets when she comes to me. If I go to her, she'll tolerate about 5 seconds of petting.

But I didn't raise them from tiny kittens. If I ever get another cat, it'll be a kitten that I can spend time with before deciding whether it likes to be held and cuddled.

 

[User690263]

I always handle my chickens when they are young, and I've found that that makes them pretty comfortable with being held
3 pullets asleep (or chilling) in my lap

 

[User690263]

I always handle my chickens when they are young, and I've found that that makes them pretty comfortable with being held
3 pullets asleep (or chilling) in my lap
View attachment 3925451

 

[rah]

Picking up or holding chickens makes it hard for them to breathe.
Very rarely do they enjoy being touched.

Well how do i pick them up without making it hard for them to breathe?