Handling and Taming a Hen

[Kmacretro]

Hi all you great people!

I hope you are all staying safe and well.

I've had my three hens in a small run in my back garden now for coming up a year in July. I really enjoy their company when I let them out the coop in the morning and shut them up at night but during the day they stay in their small run doing their thing and I really want to start handling them more. This is more about my lack of confidence on picking up the hens and letting them get used to me (I guess it's more a me thing).

I don't expect them to be tame but I would love to be able to confidently pick them up. I get a little uneasy when they flap their wings and try and run off, I guess because they aren't used to being handled that much. But they are so social, I'm feeling like I'm missing out on being able to open the run and pick one up and take them out.

I am a novice so please be gentle with me here.

Many thanks!

 

[Presnell5]

Well you can start by giving them treats while you’re with them and that’ll help them naturally come to you. And then just start by petting them but know that chickens are prey. So they are naturally just flighty.I know some people have lap chickens but Even my tamest still duck out of the way when I try to grab them. It definitely is nice to be able to walk out and grab one when you need to. Also for your next flock just hand raise them. Pick them up ten times a day or more and talk to them and give treats and you will have a totally different experience when they get older