I'm a chicken with my chickens!

[vermontgal]

I completely understand. Before I got my chicks this spring, I almost got some full-grown chickens. In hindsight, I am very glad that I started with chicks. Starting off with full grown heavy-breed chickens would have been intimidating.

Hope you can get back into hanging out with them. If they are not laying yet, they do get friendlier once they start laying -- so people say, and it was true with mine.

 

[cmom]

Quote:
Maybe you should get a more friendly breed. RIR's are not always the friendliest. Some breeds are easier to handle. Spending a lot of time with them helps too.

Here is a great reference book, Gail Damerow's 'Storey's Guide to Chickens' is an excellent guide, as well as this web site. This site is an excellent source of information.

Also here are some other good sites and info.
Henderson's Chicken Breed Chart
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKPoultryPage.html
http://www.mypetchicken.com/aboutChickens.aspx

 

[Alleychick]

My chickens are crazy!! They follow me everywhere. Everyone told me to handle the little fuzzy butts alot so i did. Now there all grown up, they jump on my head when im standing straight up. And i know better than to bend over in front of them because when i stand back up ill have 4 hens on my back! They dont really bother me except for one thingey love to untie my boots!! Ill try taking a step forward and im dragging chickens all over the place!! My neighbors get a kick out of me!!!

 

[wings]

It was sort of embarrassing to me because this little 6 year old came to my house today and was petting my rooster and picking up even the most obnoxious hen. I guess I have gotten over this fear now.
I still do need a little convincing that a rooster really won't hurt me. I know he won't, but you guys have been so good about helping me through this pitiful fear.

 

[chookchick]

Well I'm glad that you realize that your rooster may try and flog you! He's getting to that age....Look at some videos on youtube so you know what to expect. Be prepared to "move him" with your foot or get away if he is higher. Not a big deal if you are prepared, but then you will need to decide if you are ready to work with him (submission training) or if he needs to find a new home.

 

[Anny]

my partner was scared of our chickens for a while, I just would have him sit outside of the pen and watch them play outside dust bathing and such, then he got more used to them, he still thinks they look like little raptors though.

 

[needmorechickens!]

I had the same problem...I have gotten better and I think its because it's winter time and I always have sleeves and gloves on, which makes me not as scared that i will get pecked or scratched. But sometimes I forget that I don't have the gloves on and reach out to pick someone up or pet someone and I realize they didn't hurt me at all.
Go out there with protection all over you, gloves, sleeves, goggles, whatever makes you feel bulletproof and pick a few of them up everyday. My rooster is the scariest for me and I have no idea why...he has never done anything bad to me. He's just HUGE.
I had a 10 week old chick that would always peck my gloves when I would reach in the coop. I started grabbing his face and beak and holding it when he pecked at me. It only took a few times in one day and he stopped that. He was just curious I guess, because now he is the first to run to the door and literally wants to be picked up!
Now go love on those chickens!

~Rebecca