I know what you mean. I have cat litter buckets to block the sides of the second rat proof feeder but too much hilarity has been had tipping over the buckets.
Cookie fell into the bucket and helicoptered out.
I think she sees fine with her poof - she wears it in a sort of ‘up swoop’ which helps. But do worry about it as I have never had a really crested chicken before - only the Legbars who really just wear fascinators.
Does it look like she needs a trim to you guys?
View attachment 4229752
Trim: maybe, maybe not. Her eyes are visible, so she can see. Depends upon how everything grows with each moult.
 
Yes - it is the hold him question I am asking given Tassels will not be at all happy about that.
I would wait until Tassels is done. Not that I have a lot of experience with this. You went through a lot for Tassels to be a mum. I would let her finish the job before I started to teach.
 
We Have A Breach!

Of course it was Aster. She flew into Joy's compound. Just inside. I was there to scoop her up. A a reward I weighed her. 1.8 kg. 3.97 lbs.

20251009_085340.jpg
 
Well if Tassels (mother hen) has anything to say on the subject you haven’t missed much. They are 9 or is it now 10 weeks old and she treats them like little babies.
She was a determined broody and now she is a committed mother!
I love this!
 
Yes - it is the hold him question I am asking given Tassels will not be at all happy about that.
Well what are your "holding" habits now? I thought you basically do not handle anyone most of the time? You might try having Tassels and her brood with you and around you, with you on the same surface as they are - ground, floor or bed, etc., so that the little ones walk closely around you, up on your legs and hands. You can have these sessions each day and touch each chicken briefly and gradually go longer, maybe?
 
Does it look like she needs a trim to you guys?
I think she looks ok at the moment. I've been going by if I can see their eyes when looking at them from the side.
We Have A Breach!

Of course it was Aster. She flew into Joy's compound. Just inside. I was there to scoop her up. A a reward I weighed her. 1.8 kg. 3.97 lbs.

View attachment 4229770
That's the face of a chicken who has absolutely no regrets :lau
 
Well if Tassels (mother hen) has anything to say on the subject you haven’t missed much. They are 9 or is it now 10 weeks old and she treats them like little babies.
She was a determined broody and now she is a committed mother!
Pooh, Calypso, Geronimo and Chippy, right? Adorable!
 
Well what are your "holding" habits now? I thought you basically do not handle anyone most of the time? You might try having Tassels and her brood with you and around you, with you on the same surface as they are - ground, floor or bed, etc., so that the little ones walk closely around you, up on your legs and hands. You can have these sessions each day and touch each chicken briefly and gradually go longer, maybe?
I don’t hold anyone but several clamber over me to get at treats they believe I have. They are usually correct.
Mr. Chips will fly up onto my knee if I am too slow with distributing blueberries. Geronimo likewise. All the bigs fly on to my chair arm or side table.
 
@RoyalChick @rural mouse @bgmathteach @CCsGarden @featherhead007

There are big debates about the restraint methods of taming versus free-will enticement, what are your thoughts? I do not have a strong opinion on either, though I favor enticement when the chicken is older. I haven't figured out what I'm doing wrong to make Diane see me as a threat, it must be something done earlier plus her nature...I am changing strategies to try to win her over as I learn from outside sources. But I'm writing because my history/situation with her frightens me when I contemplate a relationship with Shehnai.

On the plus side BO's Tedi and Annie are incredible snuggle-hens, & Buckeyes Butters, Popcorn and Peanut were very tolerant. Buckeye Hazel is totally nervous when being carried, she trembles, and tries to avoid being caught at first. (I found that if I place her where she is standing on her own as soon as possible she calms down and does much better.)

So what did I do there that's different with Diane, if my behavior is the root of it?

When in the chick & youngster stage theoretically one can more easily teach them that being held is a safe thing while they are first learning their role with you. I do think that a domination strategy later in life will not be a long-term solution to taming, as roosters (***cough - Diane ***) habitually violate boundaries and test their pecking order with others, human or not, for a leg up. If you are another rooster or competitor you'll be periodically attacked by a rooster no matter what, is what I've heard.

Shehnai was never a chick that I could catch easily, and he did not ever like being held and that never got better as we went along. I soon let everyone do as their nature dictated though I did try to hold everyone some (and Bea and Piccolo would sit glued to my hands or arms, impossible to get off!). He objected sooooo strongly, and he became even harder to catch as he got wise to my attempts, and he grew even longer legs! So I've let him be as he seems to need to be.

He would stand on me as a chick when they roamed around me, and he readily eats out of my hand today, and he doesn't mind me being very close. I can get him to stand briefly in one place with a hand lightly touching his breast and one on his back fluff, but I did not successfully get him to calmly tolerate being held...I guess he may have to be a "nighttime health check" chicken? I am working on maintaining some brief daytime touching for everyone at least, like a little touch of their back leg fluff or a wing touch when close.

Researching about roosters and have Shad's article. Learning about the Roovolution point of view lately. What do you all know about them? Their podcasts are a bit wordy and a little preachy but some have also been informative, especially after the first couple. I'm just starting them and might join that Facebook group for practical help, I think it's called Rooster Allies?
 

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