How do I pick up a chicken

[Schroeder]

I've been reading this forum religiously for many months now, but haven't seen this discussed. Other discussion threads allude to "picking up the chicken," but I do not find that easy. Mine are confined to a 6 x 6 coop and an attached 16x16 run. I held them some as they were growing from day old chicks. Even so, none of them let me pick them up.

I'm aware they are more docile at night, and I can pick them up off the roost at night, but what if I want to look closely at one during the day? I walk freely among them and they eat treats from my hands, but they won't let me pick them up. I can only imagine the commotion if I were to attempt to corner one. Are those leg hooks any good, or are they only to be used when you're about to send them to freezer camp? Are there other "tricks" I should know?

 

[sparkles2307]

We um, just corner the one we want and grab it (with 104 of them its hard for everyone to be familiar with ya) and tuck it under our arm to keep the wings down. Just wrap your hands over the wings to hold it...

 

[Chickenmaven]

Feed treats, like lettuce, that you hold for them to nibble at. Then you can pat & stroke them while they eat. Occassionally pick one up from that stance - one hand on top of the back, the other coming under the chest/belly area. Carry them around.

Good luck.

 

[LynneP]

Mine have been handled since 12 hours old.

I pick up by covering each wing with a hand, then lift until the hen is under my left arm, supporting her belly with my left hand and her keel gently under from the right- like holding a football. Be gentle when placing them back down so they don't panic about the whole deal...

Excellent question.

 

[NRacine]

If you don't hold the wings, they will punch you in the face!

 

[sunket77]

This is actually a topic at our house! My DH can't figure out how I pick them up and hold them. But the post above has it right. Some of mine run from me but I catch them and once I have them they calm down. Mine are very tame though, there are a few that don't mind me holding them like a baby, I think they may even like it!

They just take a second a relax their with their legs stretched out too cute!

 

[astatula]

Meal worms. If you have meal worms they will let you do anything. As soon as my chickens see the meal worm container they run to me and I can pick up even the worst of them.

Move slowly, because you are a giant and they don't like giants making unexpected quick movements and possibly crushing them, in their minds that could happen.

And to mention it again, put them down like you are handling a newborn baby, very slowly and softly. They will eventually trust you to be careful around them and will not be so frightened.

 

[okieroy]

My chickens like me to come at them from the front. I place my hand beneath their chest and begin to lift. They immediately jump onto my hand and then I can do anything with them.