Chicken Harness = Unhappy Chickens

[CritterHill]

Ok, so I have been bringing the baby chicks into my daughter's preschool class every couple weeks so they can see how they are growing.

Well, last time they were 3 weeks and it was a little chaotic. I had 4 out and they would get startled and charge the kids and there was screaming and flapping...

Well, I decided if they are going to make another visit, I needed some sort of control. The chicks are 4 weeks old now and I bought a dog harness to fit a toy dog.

My first attempts are not meeting with glee.

Just wanted to check something. I get the one loop around the chicks neck and wings through where the front legs go.

Now, do I snap the back loop in front or behind the back legs?

I'm thinking behind, but they aren't happy either way.

I think for my next try I will scramble up some egg to feed them while I am messing around.

The WC blue polish screamed their heads off the whole time. The poor gold laced polish just sat flat on the floor looking depressed about the whole event.

I would really like to harness train these guys so I can have them out and about more than I would otherwise be able to (in addition to the school visits).

 

[LittleChickenRacingTeam]

Quote:
Define weird, cause I also have another chook that participates in Chicken Chariot Racing.

 

[dangerouschicken]

A chicken flying a kite while wearing a harness?

You people are freaks!

I mean that in a nice way, though!

 

[SpottedCrow]

Polish are looneys anyways...

Obelisk doesn't mind being in it, once she's in her harness...
Getting her into it is a pain...

I use an adjustable cat harness. There's a loop that goes in front of the wings and then the other piece with the hook goes behind the wings, in front of the legs, with the leash part hanging off the top.

 

[CritterHill]

I think this one might be a leetle small in the back loop. They are little things, but apparently not as small as a toy poodle.

How loose do you leave it? I wanted to leave it loose, but then they get their legs stuck in the loops... Though the loop around their neck can't possibly get small enough to fit their little chicken necks.

 

[SpottedCrow]

That's why I got the adjustable one...it fits Leghorn sizes and Brahma sizes...

Here's what I have:
http://www.petco.com/product/2059/Four-Paws-Safety-Cat-Leash-and-Harness.aspx

This is it on Slifer...The top loop goes around her neck and the back loop goes under the wings, infront of the legs.

You don't have to leave it loose except for if it's around their crop.

 

[nutmeggie]

I would love to see pictures of the chickens in the harness!!

 

[SpottedCrow]

You posted at the same time I did, nutmeggie.

 

[speckledhen]

Aw, there's Slifer! I forgot how really huge she was.

 

[LittleChickenRacingTeam]

You have to get the chicken to be comfortable in the harness.

Start with putting it on for 5 mins & giving the the chooks treats.
Then slowly increase the amount of time the bird wears it while making a fuss & feeding them. the chicken will soon learn that wearing the harness equals FOOD.

I use a FEATHER TETHER specifically designed for parrots & birds.

Lacy will allow a leash on it to go for walks at parks.

And Miss Ohio flies kites attached to her harness at Kite Festivals all over Ontario.