Do "lap chickens" really exist?

[drumstick diva]

I'm glad for you that they are learning some alternative ideas instead of pooping on you.

 

[centrarchid]

A variant I have on the lap chicken concept involves a hen that is tamed to the extreme and trained to come when called. That in itself is not worthy on note. What is worthy is when she has chicks. I can sit on porch where she will bring brood and fly up on my lap. Chicks will get under her for a bit and quite down after a couple of minutes, then she will get up and walk away without clucking resulting in brood staying quietly on my lap as she goes off as far as 50 feet to forage by herself. I keep multiple free-range hens with broods for about half the year but do not see hen leave brood except in context I just described. This was first noted five years ago. Same hen still does it as do her daughters. They are the only birds I have tamed to such an extreme.



See post #73 for original account. First time I saw this extreme enough I still recall it.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/451333/constructing-a-single-chicken-family-unit-for-porch/70

 

[sunflowerbee]

awww.... SUCH an adorable picture!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is awesome. I would love that

 

[chickiemom3]

As brand a new chicken mommy (3 week old pullers, mixed breeds), I have been stunned at how affectionate some of the chicks are. We have two Barred Rocks that come running when we put our hand in the brooder, push the other girls out of the way, and claw/flap their way up our arms to hang out on our shoulders. They will stay there for hours if we let them. We have another that will at times chirp loudly until someone comes and picks her up and walks her around (I am having fussy baby flashbacks!!). I hope they continue being this friendly and loving!

 

[FrankieDoodle]

We have had atleast seven.

 

[shawthorne44]

Absolutely. Although because many of them are lap chickens, the ones not being loved on get jealous and try to pick on the chicken in the lap. So, I've learned that I have to stand and pick them up. Even then I had to buy Crocs as my chicken shoes because the jealous hens peck my toes to say it is their turn.

I do have a favorite, SuperChicken. Maybe because she is the most consistently demanding.

 

[MIChickandGuinea]

Ours aren't as much lap chickens, though they will hop up on us sometimes. But they really really want attention (and treats) ... one of them will reach up and yank on the hem of my shorts or skirt if she doesn't think she's getting enough attention. And as soon as they hear the front door open, they come running, flapping and bok-bok-bokking from all corners of our extremely large yard. They are the most cheerful greeting committee :-D

 

[MIChickandGuinea]

Ours aren't as much lap chickens, though they will hop up on us sometimes. But they really really want attention (and treats) ... one of them will reach up and yank on the hem of my shorts or skirt if she doesn't think she's getting enough attention. And as soon as they hear the front door open, they come running, flapping and bok-bok-bokking from all corners of our extremely large yard. They are the most cheerful greeting committee :-D

 

[IamRainey]

As brand a new chicken mommy (3 week old pullers, mixed breeds), I have been stunned at how affectionate some of the chicks are. We have two Barred Rocks that come running when we put our hand in the brooder, push the other girls out of the way, and claw/flap their way up our arms to hang out on our shoulders. They will stay there for hours if we let them. We have another that will at times chirp loudly until someone comes and picks her up and walks her around (I am having fussy baby flashbacks!!). I hope they continue being this friendly and loving!

Lucky you! And what a great picture just to prove it!

I just got mine too. I got them as 6-week old chicks last week and I suspect that, because they came from a hatchery and weren't handled, they're just skittish. I hope it won't always be that way. They'll walk around my feet but if I move, they're gone.

I've begun sitting in their run with a cup of mealworms. I've gotten one to come up on my lap to get into the cup. But she's the bravest of the group -- always the first to try out anything. Even so, if I try to pet her she flies off.

Patience, I suppose. ...but that's never been one of my virtues. Actually, I'll have to check with my husband and see if I have any.... Virtues, that is.

 

[MageofMist]

I have silkies, who are well known as lap chickens by breed... You cannot sit down on the ground with them around or you will be buried in floof.

This is me being circled and jumped on by the chickoos while cuddling a small chick.

This is one of the older hens when she was a baby... They still love being cradled like babies even though one of the young hens has reached egg-laying stage.


Even the rooster and cockerel are total marshmallows and snugglebugs.