Quote:
Most 'prey' animals are naturally afraid of overhead movement/contact because they get attacked from above. They're also naturally terrified of being picked up, because in the wild being picked up meant you were caught and about to be eaten, so it needs to be avoided at all costs!
Try coming from below and stroking their breast or side of the neck rather than their backs or from above/behind.
X 2
Absolutely, when I put my hand in to "mess with them," they always respond better to having my hand under their eye level. I scratch my babies and even adults on the lower breast.........coming from below them. Even the most skittish birds are less frightened using this method.
One other thing I've noticed is, certain lines can be more flighty and fearful than others. Unfortunately, I had some chicks in the beginning that never did settle down completely. They're not here any longer.
Nancy
I do approach them with my hand low, palm up, and attempt to scoop them out. However right now they just back into a corner and jump onto my hand to get away
. I had some cuddle time with each of them last night and they were fine unless I loosened my grip in anyway or tried to let them stand on my lap with my hand holding them in place. They've also gotten better about biting. Every time they go into bite me I gently peck them back with my finger and they get the message instantly and don't seem as fearful (maybe because I'm communicating in their language?). They are still wary of eating treats out of my hand, but once one of them starts they both go in for it!
Most 'prey' animals are naturally afraid of overhead movement/contact because they get attacked from above. They're also naturally terrified of being picked up, because in the wild being picked up meant you were caught and about to be eaten, so it needs to be avoided at all costs!
Try coming from below and stroking their breast or side of the neck rather than their backs or from above/behind.
X 2
Absolutely, when I put my hand in to "mess with them," they always respond better to having my hand under their eye level. I scratch my babies and even adults on the lower breast.........coming from below them. Even the most skittish birds are less frightened using this method.
One other thing I've noticed is, certain lines can be more flighty and fearful than others. Unfortunately, I had some chicks in the beginning that never did settle down completely. They're not here any longer.
Nancy
I do approach them with my hand low, palm up, and attempt to scoop them out. However right now they just back into a corner and jump onto my hand to get away
