How Do You Hold Your Chickens

[cluckmecoop7]

Then how do you open the door?

Usually one of my family members is also outside when I'm handling them so they can open the door(s) for me.

But, if no one is around I put the chicken down, open the door, and pick her back up. Simple.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Might work most the time, except for those pesky gate latches...
....but footballin' is the way to go long.

My gates have the standard latches you see on chain link fences/doors, the U shaped ones that lift up and drop down. I can kick them open or use my elbow to nudge it open. I'm well aware that I'm lacking the one or two other limbs I'd need to be truly efficient!

You should see me using the dishwasher or laundry... feet and elbows all the way!

 

[aart]

But, if no one is around I put the chicken down, open the door, and pick her back up. Simple.

Mine would run away...why not just stick her under your arm?...footballin'!!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Mine would run away...why not just stick her under your arm?...footballin'!!

Mine wouldn't run away, it just doesn't occur to me to put them down for something like opening the gate.

If I did put them down they'd probably drop a cecal right in front of my boot just to spite me!

 

[ChocolateMouse]

I usually do a two handed hold with one hand over each wing, fingertips under the breast bone and thumbs at the top of the wings over the back.

Every once in a while I will hold a bird upside-down by their legs temporarily. This is usually only a rooster that's being very fussy and is a little too big for my to wrap my hands around efficiently before he flips out. After letting them hang upside down for a moment I'll gently right them and try the above hold again.

Once I'm able to hold them two handed it's much easier to tuck them under an arm, or otherwise use a football hold for longer distance transport. This is the same hold I use on my rabbits.

 

[aart]

I usually do a two handed hold with one hand over each wing, fingertips under the breast bone and thumbs at the top of the wings over the back. ....Once I'm able to hold them two handed it's much easier to tuck them under an arm,

Definitely pick them up with two hands, great description there @ChocolateMouse.
I can barely get my hands around the cockbird like that, luckily he's pretty docile due to 'training' when younger, and smaller.

My avatar shows how I handle multiple birds at once

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Yeah but once you have them up, footballin' is 100% the way to go. I have carried five chickens at a time by footballing four of them and then holding the fifth in my hands! (POL egg pullets, mind you, not exactly Jersey Giant Roosters, but still!)

 

[aart]

Yeah but once you have them up, footballin' is 100% the way to go. I have carried five chickens at a time by footballing four of them and then holding the fifth in my hands! (POL egg pullets, mind you, not exactly Jersey Giant Roosters, but still!)

I think 4 or 5 is the most I've carried, kinda stacked them, was tricky opening the door, young birds tho 4-6 weeks...small enough to catch with one hand. That was before I brooded in the coop and carried them outside daily to the day pen. They got used to it and were pretty calm about it.

 

[Mtnboomer]

Was it a full sized bird?
Was his hand on top of the bird or underneath?

On top. I don't know what type of bird it was fir sure but it appeared to be an orpington or bird of similar size (hen)

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Mine would run away...why not just stick her under your arm?...footballin'!!

Maybe yours aren't as friendly as mine! If I put them down they will just start pecking for bugs and grass - besides, it only takes a couple seconds to open a door, so they couldn't get very far.