Is younger better when wanting "handle-able" chickens

[centrarchid]

Delay most interaction until chicks 3 weeks post-hatch. Biggest concern coming from lots of early handling would be stressful and impose greater risk of disease, especially when birds are confined one minute and exposed to pathogens the next. Also, I would insist having so birds can perch on you / kids but actually picking up is minimized. I have small kid and he is not allowed to pick up chicks. Hens try to prevent him from causing trouble by flogging but ultimately I must tell son to leave chicks alone. Chicks are not as tough as puppies.

 

[chooks4life]

Quote: I didn't get the impression he was being rough, I was thinking more that he was using the hockey stick as an extension of his arm to help guide them, then tripped over. I understood it was an accident, don't worry.

I can't tell what gender your turkey is from that shot, but really that's much easier to determine when you have more turkeys of the same age to compare it with. Male turkeys don't look much different for a fair while compared to male chickens. Your chooks I don't know about, maybe leghorns but there are a few others breeds that look quite similar and people often mix them.

Best wishes to you and yours.
Quote: Have to disagree with you there. My dogs tolerate a lot of painful treatment from a relative who is mentally disabled. Other animals are also often quite tolerant of painful handling they do not actually want, poultry included.

Edit: I should specify, they aren't left to be subjected to this non stop, but sometimes have had to put up with it until someone 'saves' them. The same is true for all our animals. They put up with treatment they don't like. Their cooperation doesn't mean that they enjoy what's being done to them.