Chicken language

[VeronicaD]

I've been seeing a lot about the "language of chickens". Watched a couple of videos of people who use the 'language' with their flocks. Anybody else doing this? Any good videos to watch/learn from? Seems logical. I tried this a little bit today and they looked at me like I was insane.
We're still getting acclimated (they're 12 weeks) and while they're getting more brave around me, everyone is still skittish (especially the Easter Egger). I am disabled and cannot get down to be more on their level.

I'm dreading wing clipping so they can run in the yard a bit but not fly too high. I hope I don't traumatize them. Neighbor hates chickens...scared to death of them after a school outing as a child and one pecked her. So I have to make sure they can't fly over the fence.


Thanks much,
Veronica from Eastern Iowa

 

[StinkyAcres]

I do speak some chicken language...mainly the alarm call to get them to keep their heads up for photos.

Just being around them as much as you can will help them get used to you. Bringing treats always helps. But don't expect all your chickens to become tame. No matter how much time you spend with them or talk to them in chicken language, you will have skittish chickens. It has a lot to do with breed, and even individuals of the same breed can have different temperaments.

Don't worry about traumatizing them. There are ways to reduce stress when wing clipping, administering medicine, etc. In most cases it is best to go out to the coop at night with a headlamp and grab them off the roosts. Chickens can't see in low light and are much calmer at night. I grab mine off the roosts to examine and medicate them all the time. I have found that the more you handle them - without chasing them - the more they get used to it.

 

[VeronicaD]

Super mega thank you!