Hi from La Habra, CA

[TwoCrows]

Quote: Oh, you will love your Australorp. Work with her now as my Aussies are huge on lap sitting. They just love attention!

 

[UrbanFarmOC]

Oh, you will love your Australorp. Work with her now as my Aussies are huge on lap sitting. They just love attention!

So true! Mary Poopins has already been jumping on my lap voluntarily and seems to enjoy being held and petted the most. Right now I am making a point to get her and all the others to chill on my lap more. Poopins is easy. My EEs seek me and the bf out too, but they don't like to be held as much. I found that the trick to getting them all calm in my lap (as opposed to just come to get treats then leave) is to start with my Barred Rock, Barred-Rock Obama, since she's about 2 weeks older than the other 3 and they follow her around like a substitute mama hen. Barred-Rock likes to make a fuss when you first pick her up, but she submits and enjoys the attention within 10-30 seconds.

I can't wait to get at least one or more of them into lap-sitting and more cuddling! Any special tips?

 

[TwoCrows]

Quote: I always start with babies on the ground. Especially young ones, they see you as momma. So I sit with them on the ground and they naturally gravitate to the lap. If I sit there long enough, they get tired and lay down on the lap. I do this every day and pretty soon, they desire to sit on the lap. I move up to sitting in a chair or on a bench after they are older. My birds really don't care to be held, and I have worked with them. They tolerate it, but don't really like it. But I will frequently pick a particular bird up and go sit somewhere and place them on my lap.Generally, as long as they were not really into something at the time, they will stay here.

Just make sure the lap sitting is always positive, no interruptions, dogs, noises, ect.. I have mine trained to get up when I pat my lap. They have learned that means I want them to have a seat.

Chickens are pretty smart. So just work on their level of intelligence, start on the ground and pretty soon you will never get them off of you!!!

 

[UrbanFarmOC]

I always start with babies on the ground. Especially young ones, they see you as momma. So I sit with them on the ground and they naturally gravitate to the lap. If I sit there long enough, they get tired and lay down on the lap. I do this every day and pretty soon, they desire to sit on the lap. I move up to sitting in a chair or on a bench after they are older. My birds really don't care to be held, and I have worked with them. They tolerate it, but don't really like it. But I will frequently pick a particular bird up and go sit somewhere and place them on my lap.Generally, as long as they were not really into something at the time, they will stay here.

Just make sure the lap sitting is always positive, no interruptions, dogs, noises, ect.. I have mine trained to get up when I pat my lap. They have learned that means I want them to have a seat.

Chickens are pretty smart. So just work on their level of intelligence, start on the ground and pretty soon you will never get them off of you!!!

THANKS!!!

 

[drumstick diva]

Nice flock, looks like happy birds

 

[UrbanFarmOC]

Thanks! I think they are! Afterall, they get to free range pretty much all day almost every day. And they love their treats of oatmeal, sunflower seeds, and raisins. They love raisins the most so far. Surprisingly, they're not as much into earthworms. Haven't gotten them mealworms yet.

 

[emansip8]

I am also in La Habra Who did you talk to at the city? I can't find any laws about keeping chickens, here, online (but I have three). I have a nosy neighbor who keeps looking over the fence and is kind of nasty, so I am concerned. I have a third of an acre, am a homeowner, and the chickens are very well cared for Thanks for your help !

 

[UrbanFarmOC]

I am also in La Habra  Who did you talk to at the city?   I can't find any laws about keeping chickens, here, online (but I have three).   I have a nosy neighbor who keeps looking over the fence and is kind of nasty, so I am concerned.  I have a third of an acre, am a homeowner, and the chickens are very well cared for   Thanks for your help !

Don't know the gentleman's name, but it was an older Caucasian male. He even took out the code books to look up for me. Here is the thread where I posted the codes, and the link to the actual code: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...cal-chicken-laws-ordinances/330#post_13642290

Hope that helps! Sorry to hear about the nosy, not so nice neighbor. Where abouts are you in La Habra?

ETA: don't feel obligated to answer exactly where you are...this is the internet afterall; maybe PM if you feel inclined. I'm just curious since I don't know anyone in LH with chickens. Also, what breeds are your 3? Chicken math has gotten me and I now have many more than 4!

 

[ChickyChickens]

Welcome to BYC!!! There are loads of members on here…so if you have ANY questions…just ASK!!!

Hope you have loads of fun and all your answers answered here on BYC the BEST CHICKEN KEEPING FORUM on EARTH!!

 

[emansip8]

Don't know the gentleman's name, but it was an older Caucasian male. He even took out the code books to look up for me. Here is the thread where I posted the codes, and the link to the actual code: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...cal-chicken-laws-ordinances/330#post_13642290

Hope that helps! Sorry to hear about the nosy, not so nice neighbor. Where abouts are you in La Habra?

ETA: don't feel obligated to answer exactly where you are...this is the internet afterall; maybe PM if you feel inclined. I'm just curious since I don't know anyone in LH with chickens. Also, what breeds are your 3? Chicken math has gotten me and I now have many more than 4!