How can I make my hens more friendly?

[r0xiRox]

So I got 11 hens and 1 unknown and all the hens are scared of me, what can I do to stop the hens from flapping their wings like crazy when ever I pick them up (it hurts) and running away from me whenever I don't have food? i feel neglected

also if you could identify this chook plz, its brown like the rest, is younger then them, has a smaller comb but is much bigger then them and has quite large tail feathers, do you think its a rooster or just another breed?

 

[AngelzFyre]

I'd try just sitting with them all and letting them come up to you and NOT catch them. Start taking some treats or scratch for them and putting it either in your hand or a small container and let them come up and eat it and begin by petting them until they are used to that and then one by one...pick them up. Not all in the same day of course, just take it slow. They'll get used to you. Some may never be as friendly as you'd like but they'll be handleable when you need to.
If there are a couple that are more friendly at first, really give them lots of attention so the others see that it's not so bad and they want whatever those chickens are getting.

You'd have to post a pic of the chicken you're wanting to know about for anyone to be certain what it is.
Oh and.....

Welcome to BYC!!!

 

[JennsPeeps]

treats = bribery = friendly/bolder chickens

"Food? For me?"

 

[AngelzFyre]

JennsPeeps..exactly!

I've got one coop of chickens that come running no matter what I have...the other new coop I'm just starting the treats, errr bribes.. regularly with so they are tolerating me at best but warming up. I want them ALL just like your picture, cos I agree with Snapdragon...ain't no fun being flapped to pieces!

 

[JennsPeeps]

Quote:
Careful what you ask for!! I've been "mugged" by my birds many times. They've stolen sandwiches, cheese, bread, crackers... anything *I* was trying to enjoy while in the peace & quiet of my own back yard. They're greedy little monsters!

We're glad that some of our birds are stand-offish, and that some are friendly. If all were as friendly as Dumpling, we'd never be able to eat, bend over, walk, sit, or enjoy our yard!!

 

[#1California Chick]

There are lots of discussions on here about "training" chickens.

Plug in "taming chickens" into the search box.

However, I think that they will all boil down to:

1. Lots of treats, delivered by hand

2. Spend lots of time near your chickens, in the run or whereever.


Because chickens are "social" animals, they will respond to the above!!!

Cindy

 

[ibpboo]

Go in there when they are roosting at night. Talk softly to them. Pick them up, carry them around at roosting time. Take them back to roost. Get the next one. Repeat this. When they are free ranging or in pen, do not chase after them. Just do stuff and let them do their stuff. Occasionally try to feed treats from your hand. Do not try and grab them. Keep gaining their trust by respecting their space. Squat down a lot and cluck at them. Dig for worms for them.
You don't think I hang with my hens too much do you?

 

[Pinky]

Not at all.I like to sunbathe with mine

(in a chair of course

).
Spending time with them,like when they take dust baths,or when their searching for food helps the chickens know you mean them no harm,and you'll gain their trust eventually.Treats help alot when taming chickens terrified of humans.

 

[cmom]

I think you have 11 she's and 1 he. Bribery and treats will get you everywhere. Repetition. Sit with them and have some of their favorite treats handy and before you know it they will be in your lap. They will do almost anything for treats. I talk to them like my babies, which they are to me. I tell them how pretty they are.

 

[digitS']

My friendliest bird doesn't like to be picked up - no, no, no!!!

She has always been the most curious about me, from the time she was less than a week old. She would come up to my hand as soon as I reached into the brooder box. If my hand stayed there awhile (and didn't do anything frightening

), she would crawl under it and fall asleep.

When she was older and out on the lawn, if the other chickens picked on her - she would run to hide under my chair or climb onto my shoulder. (Climbing on me wasn't welcomed

.)

Another bird is very tame (lazy) and I can pick her up whenever I want. But, the friendliest hen does NOT want to be picked up. You can see that it makes her a n g r y

.

Steve