Is it normal for "nice" pullets to peck at me??

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

I know this is a bit off topic from the original thread, but I have a question regarding these pullets: How do I make them ok with being picked up off the ground? They will jump onto my lap (as you know), but if I try to pick them up off the ground, they freak out and act like I'm trying to kill them. I don't pick them up unless I need to, which is every night to put them in their coop, since they try to sleep in the tree. I don't think they are scared of me since they run up to me whenever I enter the run AND they jump onto me any chance they get; they just freak out every time I try to pick them up. My Dark Brahma is still pretty good about being picked up; she doesn't run or struggle, but sometimes she squeaks when I pick her up.

Also, this is really random, but are they old enough to clip their wings? They are about 10wks old (2mo).

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Chickens are prey animals. As such, they are hard-wired to resist being picked up, as anything that does so in nature, only does so with the intention of eating them. So when you pick them up, or try to, you take on the role of a predator.

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

Chickens are prey animals. As such, they are hard-wired to resist being picked up, as anything that does so in nature, only does so with the intention of eating them. So when you pick them up, or try to, you take on the role of a predator.

hmm, that makes sense. Is there any way to limit how scared they get?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

And yes, you can clip the flight feathers of one or both wings. Many of us find that once they start flying enough to get into trouble, it's time. And by clipping only one wing, it puts them off balance and is effective for keeping them where they belong.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

hmm, that makes sense. Is there any way to limit how scared they get?

I guess if you throw a towel over their head, that might help, so they can't see.