- Dec 13, 2010
- 864
- 16
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Quote:
I wouldn't call what I do "extensive cuddling." It's more along the line of "extensive handling." Some of it is cuddling, but most of it is just plain picking up and messing with, from handling feet, wattles, beaks, and comb, to turning upside down, on the back, sideways, whatever, to ensure the bird is comfortable with whatever handling needs to be done in the normal course of dealing with chickens. I am too old, too fat, and just plain too lazy to chase a chicken around for these things if I can do it an easier way. I work from home and visit the chicken house at least 3 times a day, so it's no skin off my well-nourished behind to pick up a chick and carry it around while I go about my business. If it's a LF roo and acts the least "antsy," I may even take it in the house in a small kennel cab and put it on my desk while I grade papers, just to get it used to being near me. As I said, I find this easier and much less stressful than dealing with a spooky or aggressive roo later. I'm not claiming it's the only way to raise them, or that it's foolproof, but it does work, and I enjoy the extra interaction with the birds. I feel deprived on the days I can't visit the coop except to feed and water.
I wouldn't call what I do "extensive cuddling." It's more along the line of "extensive handling." Some of it is cuddling, but most of it is just plain picking up and messing with, from handling feet, wattles, beaks, and comb, to turning upside down, on the back, sideways, whatever, to ensure the bird is comfortable with whatever handling needs to be done in the normal course of dealing with chickens. I am too old, too fat, and just plain too lazy to chase a chicken around for these things if I can do it an easier way. I work from home and visit the chicken house at least 3 times a day, so it's no skin off my well-nourished behind to pick up a chick and carry it around while I go about my business. If it's a LF roo and acts the least "antsy," I may even take it in the house in a small kennel cab and put it on my desk while I grade papers, just to get it used to being near me. As I said, I find this easier and much less stressful than dealing with a spooky or aggressive roo later. I'm not claiming it's the only way to raise them, or that it's foolproof, but it does work, and I enjoy the extra interaction with the birds. I feel deprived on the days I can't visit the coop except to feed and water.
