Hen terrified of me...worried about laying

[Chickassan]

I don't think it will stop her from laying in there especially if everyone else does but she probably will try to sneak in between any visitors. The others are right though you should try and handle her a little just in case you ever really have to get a hold of her. Maybe get her at night and then offer her some chicken crack.

 

[TheResidentialFarm]

I have a VERY flighty EE that screeches and sprints away if I take even an accidental step in her general direction. She still lays in the nest. If she is in the nestbox when I enter the coop, I back out slowly. She's never gotten off the nest because I enter to coop, but if she's not sitting in the nest when I enter, she heads out the window immediately.

 

[Erin80]

Our chickens all know the sound of scratch as well and most come running......she won't though. She hangs back until I'm out of sight, and then she'll go in. That doesn't work because if I leave the door open, leave and wait for her...others have wandered back out. Lol.

 

[salsss]

I have three Icelandic pullets who are terrified of me… And one who will hop up on my lap. The other night two of them absolutely refused to come in so we waited until all of the other chickens went up to roost and sure enough, they were really interested in going into the run. I shut the door to the coop and then opened the door to the run.

They are just about to start laying, and that's when they seem to be the most bratty I think!

I really hate having to run door open if I am not there. I'm afraid that a predator will get in and be trapped with the girls. All of my other girls, when I shake their treat can head right in. We have a routine.

 

[Erin80]

I have three Icelandic pullets who are terrified of me… And one who will hop up on my lap. The other night two of them absolutely refused to come in so we waited until all of the other chickens went up to roost and sure enough, they were really interested in going into the run. I shut the door to the coop and then opened the door to the run.

They are just about to start laying, and that's when they seem to be the most bratty I think!

I really hate having to run door open if I am not there. I'm afraid that a predator will get in and be trapped with the girls. All of my other girls, when I shake their treat can head right in. We have a routine.

Do you have any pictures of your Icelandics? We only have one, but she is gorgeous!

 

[Crooked Chicken]

My 2 EE girls never warmed up to being handled as much as the others. Now that they are 4-1/2 months old and maturing they are calmer.

Since I had an attempted bird predator attack one of the girls I have not been leaving them free range all day everyday. They go out mostly supervised. They used to take themselves back to the coop just before dark.

That being said, now when it's time to go in and it isn't that time of day, they resist somewhat. I carry a small broom and hold my arm outstretched and walk slowly behind them. They don't run directly to the coop, however, but are getting better. I have used the broom to herd them since they were a couple of weeks old, so they are already accustomed to it. Think of Bo Peep with her shepherds hook lol.

 

[salsss]

The bottom picture is the lovely Lemon, who still is as sweet as can be. The others are warming up a bit...a nice weather week with me being on the deck watching them range, of course with treats....has really helped!

Here she is now! Her tail is a bit low...but she is really healthy!

 

[Crooked Chicken]

Very pretty birds salsss!

I'm amazed when I see pictures of other people's runs and there aren't feathers everywhere. My chickens haven't had a good molt yet where they have bald areas, but there are feathers everywhere.

 

[salsss]

Very pretty birds salsss!

I'm amazed when I see pictures of other people's runs and there aren't feathers everywhere. My chickens haven't had a good molt yet where they have bald areas, but there are feathers everywhere.

There are indeed feathers wherever I look...in the yard, the run, the nests...Everyone but the youngsters are molting!