Don't pick up the hens or they won't lay?

[Namaste Mama]

So I still have 2 chickens that aren't laying(adopted them 5 weeks ago, a chochin and polish), and after telling to my dad who used to raise golden pheasents and chickens, he said never ever handle the chickens, let the kids play with them or chase them or they won't lay. Is this true? Or do these breeds just like to stop laying? No one is molting, its warm during the day high 80's-90's lots of food, black oil sunflower seeds, some vegi treats and free range all day. :|

 

[katrinag]

My kids pet and play with our chickens all the time and also run after them time to time. I have not had any problem with egg production at all.

 

[Cetawin]

I seriously doubt it...I hold and play with my girls every day and they lay just fine. Sounds like an old wives' tale to me.

 

[chicknmania]

The reasoning is because it stresses them out. Some more than others, depending on the breed. Picking them up once in a while shouldn't cause them to quit laying altogether though. If they're not being chased or harassed by anything, they should still lay. I'd just give them some more time. Or they may be laying somewhere you can't find. Also, laying is more dependent on the amount of light, rather than the temperature, although both are factors. So if the days are getting a lot shorter where you are, that could be a reason, too.

 

[rooster-red]

Sorry, no truth to the statement about handling chickens.

 

[DeeTee]

I agree with all the replies above. I hold and pet the chooks almost daily and they are laying like crazy!

 

[dancingbear]

Quote:
I wouldn't let the kids chase them, or be rough at all, but other than that, no it's not true.

How old are these chickens? Are they old enough to lay? Are they so old they may have stopped?

What breed are they? Are they one of the oddball seasonal layers?

Have you checked for external parasites? Sometimes if they get a bad case of mites or bird lice, they'll stop laying.

 

[Namaste Mama]

I was told they are a year old, which is questionable. I have a cochin and a polish, the cochin has a green band with numbers around her leg is that a way to track her? I'm not sure how to check for lice etc, the Cochin dose have white dandruff like flakes on her, could this be it?

 

[TheOLDNewChick]

Nah. I hold my girls all the time, as do I think 110% of everyone else on here.

 

[LynneP]

I guess it depends on whether they are used to being handled. Mine are and are on my lap, shoulders, back. I pick them up gently when necessary and I get an average of 11 eggs from 12 birds daily.