Flying up on the shoulder

[math ace]

We have had problems with them attacking / pecking shinny things.

They really like to go after my son's braces and my glasses. So, we do not let them near our faces.
Lap holding is as high as they get.

We even had the little darling try to peck our eyes - - - -be careful with them near your face. They don't mean any harm - - - but their beak is equal to our hands. It is how they explore new things - - - lips, eyes, glasses, and braces are all fair game ! !

 

[Sgsf]

My chickens are very nice, and they have never pecked (besides thinking I have food, like moles and freckles, but they don't really do it anymore). And I don't have any problems with the rooster, he knows I'm 'Alpha'. And I don't mind the poop, I guess I'll just wear dirty shirts I'll never use again. But they don't step in poop that much, as we clean out the cage at least 3 times a week. So yeah, any suggestions on how I could get them flying up though?

 

[tigerkitten45]

I have 2 dutch hens(3 mo), and a pair of GLW(6 wks) that love to fly up on my shoulders, i do not usually allow it but sometimes there is no room on my lap because my RIR hen and one of my SLW hens like to sleep and be petted in my lap! My own fault as i like to sit in the run with them and socialize!

 

[spectrumranch]

Quote:
X2

If you have visitors that you show your chickens too, remember alot of people are scared of birds and a chicken trying to land on there shoulder would cement that fear.

Or if a bird flys up on someone that isn't expecting it they can leave some nasty scratches.

 

[noodleroo]

If you can get them to your lap, they will go to your shoulder-they always want the highest 'perch'. If they are tame, sit in a chair and let them get on your lap and they'll be on your shoulder in no time. If they are a little more skittish, put a brown or green towel down on the ground and sit on it with them. Same scenario; they'll soon be competing for your shoulders. In both cases, chair or towel, just sit still if they are not used to handling.

I love the girls in my lap, but I don't really like them above that.

 

[PoultryPedia]

nhc--Absolutely LOVE the photo!!!!!!!!!

You have some great chicken friends! And they obviously think they have a great person friend!

 

[Sgsf]

Quote:
Thank you for that. I'm actually trying something similar. I'll put some bred on a chair, without me sitting in it, and let them fly up and get use to the chair. And then I'm going to slowly get them use to me in the chair, by putting bread up in my lap. And since they'll be use to flying up on the chair, they can just fly up on my lap. And then, hopefully, the shoulders.

)

 

[noodleroo]

Bread on the chair is OK, but you really want them to come sit on you. I'd try sitting on the ground with them and when they get used to sitting in your lap, then you move to the chair. Its less intimidating for them to not have to take that 'leap of faith' on to you if they aren't used to it. Much better to just step onto your legs/lap to learn that only good things happen when they do that...

 

[True Grit]

Wonderful picture and beautiful birds nhc! I hope once mine stop running in terror they'll do the same

 

[ivan3]

math ace wrote: We even had the little darling try to peck our eyes - - - -be careful with them near your face. They don't mean any harm - - - but their beak is equal to our hands. It is how they explore new things - - - lips, eyes, glasses, and braces are all fair game ! !

Never, ever, turn you face towards a shoulder-perched chook (unless, of course, your wearing glasses).

Eye surgery is expensive. Even a brief peck in the eye is exquisitely painful.

A chicken on the shoulder, without your having some eye protection, is akin to leaving a two-year-old child in the backyard with the `friendly' rooster.

FYI​