Idid it! I CAUGHT THEM BY THEIR FEET!

[MareeZoCool]

I have seen several people grab chickens by their feet, making it appear simple. I was terrified of the feet! Roo was standing beside the run, admiring his 2 new hens I decided this was my moment! I got him! I caught the smaller hen earlier this afternoon, so I knew I could get the roo.

This is a big deal for a scaredy-cat city girl!

 

[canada-goose]

Why the feet?

 

[eenie114]

Quote:
Whe you catch them by the feet, the calm down completly.

 

[canada-goose]

Quote:
Whe you catch them by the feet, the calm down completly.

I didn't know that!

I've always picked them up by wrapping my arms around them. Now I'll have to try that method....

 

[Mrs. Green Thumbs]

I think it's like the assumption that you can carry rabbit's by the ears or fully grown cat's by the scruff of the neck..... all of FYI are MAJOR NO NO's... I doubt your roo enjoyed being snatched up out of no where and hung upside down... id be ticked if I was him.

 

[teach1rusl]

There are techniques that are much easier on your chickens... here's an older posting on the topic: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3262326

 

[FiveHens]

I don't know, it's always sounded really cruel to me. I always pick up ours by clamping my hands over their wings--once they're tucked between my arm and body they get totally calm.

 

[canada-goose]

Quote:
That's pretty much the method I've always used. Actually, I've used a lot of methods.

 

[Tala]

Well I sometimes have to catch my rooster by his leg coz it's the best way to control where those spurs go! I grab him by the leg and then wrangle him into the crook of my arm like normal, I still hold onto his feet with one hand coz if he kicks or struggles he usually scratches my belly. Sometimes it's easiest to snatch a teenage chick by the leg rather than risk squashing their body --- again I hold them in my hand after they are caught.

I do NOT make a habit of carrying them upside down by the legs though --- I heard it was stressful on their lungs. If I have to catch or pick one up that way for some reason, I switch them over to the football style hold ASAP.

If I am getting one off of the roost (rather than off the ground) and they are already close to waist height -- then I just put my hand or arms around them and lift them up that way. Again, I always hold their feet in one hand once they are in position coz sometimes they scratch.

 

[gryeyes]

Yah, I use the leg(s) to snatch 'em, but immediately pull their bodies in to hold their wings to their sides, between my arm and my body.

I would never carry a chicken BY their legs, but I do find it much easier to catch them by snagging a leg or legs with my hands first. If I get one leg, the first thing I do is grab the other leg and pull them in towards me in preparation for performing the "football hold."

I know the OP's enthusiasm, though! Chased many a chicken before I finally tried to catch 'em by the legs. Now that's what I go for, first.

Luckily, I don't have to do it very often at all.