Foot rubs for chickens?

[Warrender]

Hi everyone,

I always thought that a good way to relax chickens (and even get them to fall asleep while holding them) was to turn them over and rub their feet. But someone told me that they fall asleep because they are so scared that they basically shut down and close their eyes. Does anyone know the truth on this?

Thanks

 

[nuthatched]

When you turn them over, you're putting pressure on their air sacs, which connect to their lungs. They're suffering from restricted oxygen, if a chicken stays like that for a prolonged period, it can be harmful or deadly.
Showing the soft belly area for most animals is a position that's stressful.
So I'd definitely stop that.

 

[Just2chickens]

There is a youtube channel called Chickens in my garden, she has a video called: How chickens breath will astound you, that says exactly that what nuthatched says...
However I sometimes give my chickens footrubs too, but right side up so to speak...