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How do you pet a chicken?

Discussion in 'Managing Your Flock' started by Linda in San Diego, May 27, 2008.

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  1. May 27, 2008 #1
    Linda in San Diego

    Linda in San Diego Chillin' With My Peeps

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    We have had parrots for ages, starting with cockatiels and moving on up to many others. Parrots like to be scritched. Scritching means rubbing with thumb and pointer finger just behind the head and ears, it is also appreciated along the jaw bone. We have to be careful not to scritch too far down the body because you can cause some romantic interest with some parrots. Then they love you too much and want to regurgitate their food for you. (I know Too Much Information)

    But now we have the Delightful Dozen. I am trying to charm them without creating problems. Today, when I had successfully held 4 of my hens, I decided that too many full sized hens wanting to be on my lap could be a problem.

    But, to the main question, how do chickens like to be scritched/petted?
     
  3. May 27, 2008 #2
    eggcochin_freak5

    eggcochin_freak5 Chillin' With My Peeps

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    well, you can stroke their necks to calm them a little....i've always heard that....it does work...i've tried, goo luck:D
     
  5. May 27, 2008 #3
    Wolf-Kim

    Wolf-Kim Chillin' With My Peeps

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    I've always stroked mine, down the neck, down the back, down the chest, basically with the feather growth. I've tried scritching, mine don't care for it.

    -Kim
     
  7. May 27, 2008 #4
    augiedranch

    augiedranch Chillin' With My Peeps

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    mine dont really like being pet on the back. but they love the neck. the side where the throat is. go between the waddles and up and down the bottom of the neck over the throat. they LOVE it. itll usually make them fall asleep
     
  9. May 27, 2008 #5
    Matt A NC

    Matt A NC Overrun With Chickens

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    My birds Dot, Snickers(<---avatar), and several others big, small, and giant like to be held in a lap with their crop in your hand. This is always after treats and the crop is full. They will go fast asleep and stay that way till they have digested a good part of their treats.

    Once they are comfortable they like to be petted down the back constantly. If I stop they look at me because they weren't finished with their nap and spoiling time.

    Dot my bantam rooster also likes his wattles gently massaged.

    Matt
     
    Last edited: May 27, 2008
  11. May 28, 2008 #6
    Linda in San Diego

    Linda in San Diego Chillin' With My Peeps

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    SWEET! Thanks for the information. Late this afternoon, Jackie Blackie (girls cannot be named Jack Black), hunkered down on my knee. I could feel her cold feet through my jeans and I was sure she liked the warmth I added. She also liked being stroked. I love it, chickens have been given a bad name!
     
  13. May 28, 2008 #7
    Jolyn

    Jolyn Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Quote:[​IMG] Jackie Blackie......Love that!!!!
     
  15. May 28, 2008 #8
    chicknhawaii

    chicknhawaii Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Chick-Chick likes the sides of her comb rubbed (I haven't tried the wattles yet) and also her chest. [​IMG] She's not too into the neck thing or the scritch thing but she does seem to like when I stroke both of her wings with the feathers, one hand on each wing. LOL I hope that made sense!


    p.s. Jackie Blackie...cute!
     
  17. May 28, 2008 #9
    JustChicky

    JustChicky Chillin' With My Peeps

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    I pet all of my chicks on the back gently. One of my chicks likes her tail scritched.
     
  19. May 28, 2008 #10
    luvmychicknkids

    luvmychicknkids Canning Squirrel

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    Quote:Yeah, chickens are great. Sweet, smart, loving. After I got my first ones I actually said "OMG, they really are birds!!!!!" LOL
     
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