How do chicken like to be petted?

[AllenK RGV]

I've seen plenty of threads of people actually having lap chickens that hop up to be petted? How on earth do people pet them when they hop up? I'm not inclined toward petting my flock and they aren't inclined toward the human contact part. When I am outside they do orbit my general area as I am the bringer of treats and if I catch something edible naturally I don't eat it myself but toss it to the flock, ect. Usually I can reach out and touch them, but never react when I run a finger down their back as if that was a pleasant experience if it is a cockrel I get the stink eye! Hen's make noise and leave as if I were the most unappealing man on the planet.

So my question is there something they actually enjoy?

 

[PirateGirl]

Oh boy, I like your question and I'm curious the answers you will get. My chickens are not afraid of me per se, they come running when I open the gate because I am the bringer of food and water, but they do not want to be touched. I have one that runs over and sqauts for me in the morning and since she wants me to be her rooster I pet her back then she runs away. She will only do this once a day, if I see her again in the afternoon she doesn't want to be touched. Maybe it's in how they are raised? Maybe some breeds like it more? I have had parrots that genuinely liked to be petted and scratched so I imagine some chickens might as well. We'll see what others say.

 

[Daddy rooster]

I've seen plenty of threads of people actually having lap chickens that hop up to be petted? How on earth do people pet them when they hop up? I'm not inclined toward petting my flock and they aren't inclined toward the human contact part. When I am outside they do orbit my general area as I am the bringer of treats and if I catch something edible naturally I don't eat it myself but toss it to the flock, ect. Usually I can reach out and touch them, but never react when I run a finger down their back as if that was a pleasant experience if it is a cockrel I get the stink eye! Hen's make noise and leave as if I were the most unappealing man on the planet.

So my question is there something they actually enjoy?

It's hard to say.my hens will let me pet them when they're laying if say shhh.the whole time to calm them.i have one too that hopes on me all the time.he likes to come in an will flog the front door to get my attention but he seems to get antsy when I pet him but will calm down.its not in they're nature to be interactive with.its hit or miss I guess.they either tolerate it or they don't.

 

[nminusyplusm]

not all of mine enjoy it. one likes to be gently held and i run my thumb lightly down the middle of her back. when i do this she melts into my arm and dozes. anothe likes a similar light touch on the back of her neck (soory for bad typing-cat sleeping on my right hand)

 

[AllenK RGV]

I totally get the cat thing mine must have made a rat kill last night as he is petitioning me for a second can this morning. We found him at Salado Creek(San Antonio) in 2007 and he has been a cuddly punk with air bags ever since. I'm kinda evil in that I pretend I don't care if I open a can or not so my wife gives in and opens the cans 90% of the time. She also gets the most cat on keyboard time too!

And thank you for the info, minus the picking them up lightly down the back is what I do as it seems the least offensive to my birds.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I have raised soooo many birds (100+), ALL are individuals. Out of all them I would say only about 4 girls have really enjoyed it.

Some of my girls come running to be picked up and just hang out in our arms.

One girl (EE) will hop on the arm of my chair and commence to cleaning my shirt. I can pet her just like a dog, hand down the back and caressing all the way to the end of her tail. Just TRY to get away from her when she wants your attention!

Another girl (PBR) hops up and really only likes to me to pet her chest, from the neck downwards in the front.

And though broody raised birds are usually less people friendly, I have a broody raised Production Red that comes to hang out/be picked up and made the pet cut when I sold off 27 birds.

My Silkies usually don't mind a light touch stroking their wing.

The girls that DO hang out like that and WANT to be with ME, define the difference between livestock and pet, here in my home. They are few and far between.

 

[BantyChooks]

I've raised a few hundred. In general they prefer being stroked more crop area to belly than on back. Less threatening.