how do you properly pick up a chicken?

[organicchef]

Quote:
Yeah...I would too!!

 

[onthespot]

I have big hands, and I usually hold both wings with one hand, close to the back, and the other hand holds both legs together. They just chill out once they are "had" usually. I also will tuck the whole bird under one arm and hold the legs with the other if I need to hold them for a little longer while, just so they are comfortable, but for just grabbing one to put in a cage, or hold for a second, I restrain wings and legs.

 

[minnie1]

I grab them holding down their wings and then nestle them on my side with my hand just in front of the legs. They seem to chill out and relax. I like to pick them up and pet them every now and then.

 

[Boo-Boo's Mama]

I handle mine often so I can examine them for problems/injuries. I do not have large hands so it takes coordination to grab with both hands and get both wings so they do not flog me and knock my glasses off...I'm nearly blind without them. One flew across the run yesterday and hit me in the head...my glasses went flying through the air, thank goodness I was able to find them!

Dolly is our Alpha Hen, the really naughty one of the whole group. Today she was going down the row of nesting boxes pulling girls out by their heads. I take off after her and the chase is on...I finally get close enough to get her by her tail and scoop her up and into the Jail she went.

I'm getting a lil ole to be chasing chickens

 

[SparksNV]

I am jealous! I can hardly catch my gals! I only have 6 but they are fast! I have one I can catch fairly regularly but the other 5 get away quickly! Yesterday, I was able to catch 3 different ones - and boy they didn't like it!

Any suggestions on actually catching them?

Thanks!

 

[noodleroo]

Just like this:

 

[BunnyMomma]

I loved this post! I never laughed so hard, and I loved the pictures of the child and dog with the chicks. I follow the same stepswith my chickens and they love to see me coming out to the hen house. I usually have a bag of treats with me.
Thanks for this thread!
LOL, Bunny

 

[UrbanChick101]

Quote:
I can totally relate... one is easy to get most always, the others well... its a little bit of work. Yesterday, I had to send my son into wake up my husband to help me get the fast flighty ones into the pen again. He came out, helped me, and was able to get them locked up, before we had visitors come!!! Never knew how difficult it was to catch a couple (5 chickens)

 

[cluckin tractor]

is it ok to hold them by the legs when dusting with powder or examaning. it only lasts 20-30 seconds at the max

 

[Uzuri]

Unless you're interested in getting a good smack, HOLD THOSE WINGS SHUT.

Got clipped across the eye this weekend and have a thin red line across my face to show for it. You wouldn't think an overgrown feather duster could do that just with a flap, but yup, it stings. Wrap your hands around their wings if you're going to lift them.

After you've got the wings down, though, they're pretty easy to deal with. I've been holding my Buff beak-down and bum-up lately because her fluff keeps getting dirty and it's as easy as wrapping an arm around her.