I want to share a hard-learned lesson on handling chickens at night.
I don't handle my chickens at night, because they are pets and very tame, and generally let me do whatever I want, in the light of day (exams, interventions, treatments etc.) But I've read a lot of advice on here that recommends going in at night for exams or interventions, the idea being that chickens are subdued at night and won't protest as much.
A couple of years ago I had to rehome my favorite cockerel, because I don't want roosters, and the wonderful friend who agreed to take him was busy during the day and could only take him after work, when it was already dark. So we agreed to do the transfer in the evening, after dark, thinking it would be less stressful to him that way. I remembered the advice on handling chickens at night and thought oh what a great coincidence, this is going to go great! The advice specifically said not to talk to the chickens or make a big fuss out of it, just to go quietly and take care of business. So that's what I did. I had a light of some sort with me (probably head lamp, or my phone's flashlight - also recommended by the advice). Now, the cockerel in question was the family favorite, spoiled rotten and extremely people-friendly. So I went in all quiet and business-like, identified him on the roost, and gently laid my hands on him...... And he instantly exploded in a ball of feathers and screams, thrashing against the walls of the coop, a tornado of terror and madness! Everybody freaked out, there were chickens and screams and feathers and bedding everywhere! I had left the human access door open, so I wouldn't fumble with it while I had him in my arms... Ha! Big mistake. He flew out the door and proceeded to run laps around the dark yard, with me in hot pursuit, both of us tripping over bushes and yard furniture and kids' toys strewn about everywhere. The formerly quiet neighborhood was now echoing with the alarm chorus of 6 horrified chickens. Eventually I caught up with him and threw myself on top of him, and ended the chase. I said screw it with that advice and started talking to him. As soon as he heard my voice, he calmed down, relaxed in my arms and started talking back, in a normal voice this time. I apologized profusely and promised never to go ninja on his people again at night. I stuffed him in a pet carrier (for the first time in his life) and put him in the car (also a first in his life), in the passenger seat next to me. I talked to him the entire time and he was remarkably calm, cooing softly back at me. He was sad to let me go when I dropped him off at his new home, but he was otherwise totally cool with the transfer.
I still do my exams and what not in the daylight, but every once in a while I'll need to go in at night for something. Like collecting the last round of eggs in winter so they don't freeze overnight, or when I forget to reset the auto door timer and the chickens get locked out, so I have to carry them into the coop in the dark. I never, ever, ever approach them without talking, and we've never had another freak out like that. In hindsight, I don't know why anybody would advise against talking. Chickens have very poor vision in low light, and flashlights / head lamps can be disorienting, so hearing that it's you and not some nocturnal monster can only be a plus. Now I always talk to my chickens while I'm with them at night, and they are perfectly calm, whether or not they can see me, and coo back. Hearing my voice is reassuring to them.
Here they are, not at all fazed by the flash of my phone as I took about half a dozen pictures until I got a good one.
P.S. In case you're wondering about the thread's title, it's a reference to this poem. Bonus points if you got it
I don't handle my chickens at night, because they are pets and very tame, and generally let me do whatever I want, in the light of day (exams, interventions, treatments etc.) But I've read a lot of advice on here that recommends going in at night for exams or interventions, the idea being that chickens are subdued at night and won't protest as much.
A couple of years ago I had to rehome my favorite cockerel, because I don't want roosters, and the wonderful friend who agreed to take him was busy during the day and could only take him after work, when it was already dark. So we agreed to do the transfer in the evening, after dark, thinking it would be less stressful to him that way. I remembered the advice on handling chickens at night and thought oh what a great coincidence, this is going to go great! The advice specifically said not to talk to the chickens or make a big fuss out of it, just to go quietly and take care of business. So that's what I did. I had a light of some sort with me (probably head lamp, or my phone's flashlight - also recommended by the advice). Now, the cockerel in question was the family favorite, spoiled rotten and extremely people-friendly. So I went in all quiet and business-like, identified him on the roost, and gently laid my hands on him...... And he instantly exploded in a ball of feathers and screams, thrashing against the walls of the coop, a tornado of terror and madness! Everybody freaked out, there were chickens and screams and feathers and bedding everywhere! I had left the human access door open, so I wouldn't fumble with it while I had him in my arms... Ha! Big mistake. He flew out the door and proceeded to run laps around the dark yard, with me in hot pursuit, both of us tripping over bushes and yard furniture and kids' toys strewn about everywhere. The formerly quiet neighborhood was now echoing with the alarm chorus of 6 horrified chickens. Eventually I caught up with him and threw myself on top of him, and ended the chase. I said screw it with that advice and started talking to him. As soon as he heard my voice, he calmed down, relaxed in my arms and started talking back, in a normal voice this time. I apologized profusely and promised never to go ninja on his people again at night. I stuffed him in a pet carrier (for the first time in his life) and put him in the car (also a first in his life), in the passenger seat next to me. I talked to him the entire time and he was remarkably calm, cooing softly back at me. He was sad to let me go when I dropped him off at his new home, but he was otherwise totally cool with the transfer.
I still do my exams and what not in the daylight, but every once in a while I'll need to go in at night for something. Like collecting the last round of eggs in winter so they don't freeze overnight, or when I forget to reset the auto door timer and the chickens get locked out, so I have to carry them into the coop in the dark. I never, ever, ever approach them without talking, and we've never had another freak out like that. In hindsight, I don't know why anybody would advise against talking. Chickens have very poor vision in low light, and flashlights / head lamps can be disorienting, so hearing that it's you and not some nocturnal monster can only be a plus. Now I always talk to my chickens while I'm with them at night, and they are perfectly calm, whether or not they can see me, and coo back. Hearing my voice is reassuring to them.
Here they are, not at all fazed by the flash of my phone as I took about half a dozen pictures until I got a good one.
P.S. In case you're wondering about the thread's title, it's a reference to this poem. Bonus points if you got it
