How do I pick up my chickens without giving them a heart attack?

[StephTheChicken]

Hello

I've only had my 3 ladies for 5 days now. I have an Orpington, a Pekin Bantam and a cheeky Silkie and they're all around 14 weeks old.

The farmer I got them from said I'd have to put them into their coop in the evenings for the first 2 weeks until they start going in there on their own. The first evening when I went to tuck them in I found them sitting in their coop already - clever girls! Because of that I never picked them up though (apart from that one time I had to get them out of their travel box the day I got them).

I've spent a few hours every day sitting in the garden talking to them. They come very close and the Orpington has even pecked at my hand when I held out treats but none of them are interested in any kind of treat yet (tried mealworms, banana, sunflower seeds, yogurt) so I have no means of luring them in. I know I have to check them for lice and injuries but don't want to scare them.

Yesterday I tried picking them up and they got really scared so I let them go again straight away and today they kept their distance from me when I sat in the garden. I watched some Youtube videos and they say to just keep going at it and to chase them into a corner and so on which all seems really stressful for the chickens.

How do you bribe chickens into liking you when they're not interested in treats? Obviously I'd love a chicken cuddle every now and again but as long as they just let me pick them up without having a nervous breakdown I'd be more than happy.

 

[kitkat5505]

I have 10 4-5 month pullets I raised from chicks and only a few don't mind me picking them up. A couple I can rarely get ahold of. Some chickens are just more friendly than others. Especially since you haven't had them long, it'll take time for them to warm up.

 

[rjohns39]

Its not that they don't like treats, they still aren't used to you. Did the previous farmer give them treats? Mine go crazy over lettuce, meal worms, melons, etc. Put some out for them make a trail and then go sit. Give them time to get comfortable in their new environment. My del's took almost a year to warm up to me, as my son took care of them early on. Today, they run to the gate to meet me.

 

[Mrs. K]

You are doing it right, just keep visiting, sitting quietly, not moving much, some conversation but not too much. Eventually they will begin to associate food with you, and non threatening from you. Then they will get closer.

Chickens hate change. Everything has changed, probably even the feed, certainly the dishes, water can, housing and even the person bringing the food.

Personally, I almost never handle my birds. I just like to watch them. It is therapeutic for me to watch them. At one time, I did encourage them to approach me and sit on my lap, but I really didn't like it. I can handle them if needed. I find pulling them off the roost at night the easiest for both them and me. Or I use a fishnet if it is imperative to catch them immediately. Beware, they naturally will beck at shinny stuff, such as your glasses, earrings and eyeballs.

They should calm down in less than another week.

Mrs K

 

[chickengeorgeto]

If you want to get your hands on a chicken without giving it a coronary, wait until they go to bed and then in the deep dark of night quietly enter the coop and GENTLY pick up a bird off the roost. Speak softly first so your hens don't suddenly awake and think that they are in the clutches of the Devil.

By all means don't do anything that will shock or traumatize your birds. You have already done that so concentrate on undoing the mental damage you have already inflicted on your hens.

 

[RUNuts]

Patience. Lots of patience. And treats.

Our birds were conditioned since we got them as day olds that we are the providers of food. The bad part is they will peck at our empty hands. Cute now, painful later?

The Barred Rocks and RIR are decent. The Leghorns are still flighty and skittish. But we can get near them. We don't reach from above (predator). We scratch tummies and sides. Once your hand is under them, lift straight up and pin the wings. Otherwise, hold the feet. We practice petting from both sides. Easy to lift from there too.

Slow, steady and patience.

 

[StephTheChicken]

Its not that they don't like treats, they still aren't used to you. Did the previous farmer give them treats? Mine go crazy over lettuce, meal worms, melons, etc. Put some out for them make a trail and then go sit. Give them time to get comfortable in their new environment. My del's took almost a year to warm up to me, as my son took care of them early on. Today, they run to the gate to meet me.

I did put the treats in a bowl first. They pecked at them but didn't show any further interest. I read in a different thread they often only start liking treats when they're older so I was hoping for tips that don't include treats. I'll give lettuce a go and I got some wholewheat spaghetti yesterday but I don't have much hope.

 

[member 373180]

Don't give up yet, you're doing it right and it will take much longer for them to settle in to their new life. They will need to try the same treat a few times before they decide that they love it. Mine will kill for red juicy things like tomatoes and strawberries. And mealworms, of course, but every new chicken has to learn that those are good things.

 

[User395221]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chickens-hate-me.1189182/

Check out the replies in this thread. In a nutshell, your girls are just babies and, as mentioned, you need to be patient, not only for them to get used to you, but for them to mature.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chickens-hate-me.1189182/

 

[Abriana]

It is good to get them as chicks so that you can build trust with them. I raised mine from chicks and yesterday, three of my Columbian Rocks were sitting on my lap. They insisted on getting up there, and they get mad when I take them down. lol!