how do i know if my hen enjoys being picked up?

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ilovemychickens2000

ilovemychickens2000

Chirping
Aug 27, 2024
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Oregon/Washington
This is piper, shes and orpington. None of my hens are particularly friendly, they let me pet them but not if they have the chance to run away. Just a couple days ago i started picking her up and cuddling her. And she doesnt try to run away for about 15 minutes. But im worried she doesnt actually enjoy it and is just doing it because she thinks she has no choice. Heres some pics of her i took 5 minutes ago
IMG_9827.jpeg
IMG_9826.jpeg



Ive always thought if your hen isnt friendly they will never be friendly, but is it possible to domestiate a hen as and adult?
 
Most chickens do not enjoy pets and getting picked up. They're prey animals so it's just instinct and shouldn't be taken as a sign they don't like you... they're just wired to understand everything wants to eat them. (They're not wrong!)

Once pullets start laying eggs, they do seem to become friendlier. I never pick mine up unless it's for a health check but my hens will run to me when they see me coming and tolerate an occasional pet on the back.

I remember when I started keeping chickens, I thought they'd sit in my lap and cuddle. Now I understand that's what my dog is for and I now consider my poultry as farm animals I enjoy observing.
 
I had a couple Delawares that would perch on my legs when I sat in a chair on the back porch. They weren’t exactly lap chickens but they were the closest thing I’ve had. I am not a chicken cuddler but I guess I learned from that experience that if you sit down and a chicken jumps up to sit on you then it wants to sit on you. If you have to chase them they are probably just confused because the Bringer of Treats is now trying to treat them like prey.
 
ilovemychickens2000 said:
she walks up to me but then i have to chase her for like 3 seconds before she lets me pick her up, maybe shes just getting used to it
Click to expand...
Mine's different, she will see me looking at her, walk up, and just wait to see if I pick her up. No chasing and no treats involved. My guess is she likes having her beard groomed and likes having a high vantage point so I'll carry her around while picking up food bowls and eggs. Downside is she's often the first to get underfoot and I've stepped on her toes a few times!

She can be very ornery sometimes, especially if she feels ignored, and she's a pest to hubby, pecking at his boots and back.

Baby photo, similar to how yours is being carried:
onehander.jpg
 
Last edited:
ilovemychickens2000 said:
This is piper, shes and orpington. None of my hens are particularly friendly, they let me pet them but not if they have the chance to run away. Just a couple days ago i started picking her up and cuddling her. And she doesnt try to run away for about 15 minutes. But im worried she doesnt actually enjoy it and is just doing it because she thinks she has no choice. Heres some pics of her i took 5 minutes ago
View attachment 4159345View attachment 4159346


Ive always thought if your hen isnt friendly they will never be friendly, but is it possible to domestiate a hen as and adult?
Click to expand...
Yes it is!
 

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