Just wondering, is it just my chickens or do most chickens don’t like to be petted?

[Lady Clucks-a-Lot]

I’ve seen a few thread about petting a chicken and most replies are saying that chickens like to be petted and will seek pets and massages from you. My chickens never do and don’t like to be petted even though I hand raised them and often snuggle with them when they were babies. Any ideas on why?

 

[Lady Clucks-a-Lot]

This is a pic of my younger hen, Dumpling. Shes the fastest I’ve ever seen! We don’t let them free range a lot so every time she escapes the run I have to use a big fishing net to catch her because I can’t get her with my hands.

 

[AntiqueB]

Some do, others don't. I have 2 that will usually jump right up onto my lap, one that jumps up, then jumps off, and one that only wants to play with my hair. She will jump on my back, sit on my shoulder, or go on the back of a chair to achieve that, but she will never sit on my lap. All 4 were hand-raised, one as an only chick I took everywhere (the one who jumps right off). You can never tell, I think.

 

[AntiqueB]

Not being able to catch them is a whole other thing! I have to entice all 4 back into the run with treats. There is really only one that's easy to pick up.

 

[nuthatched]

I’ve seen a few thread about petting a chicken and most replies are saying that chickens like to be petted and will seek pets and massages from you.

Where? Most chickens hate to be petted and held, it's in their nature. They aren't lap pets. I have one who thinks she's a parrot though....

 

[Cat Ballou]

I’ve seen a few thread about petting a chicken and most replies are saying that chickens like to be petted and will seek pets and massages from you. My chickens never do and don’t like to be petted even though I hand raised them and often snuggle with them when they were babies. Any ideas on why?

@Shadrach has some great theories on chicken behavior. IIRC the chickens think you are mating with them. Of course we know it’s not mating, but they want to be properly wooed first.

I have been thinking about the chicken equivalent of weaning where the mothers savagely drive their young away to fend for themselves. It sounds heartbreaking.

 

[tlcmurphy]

I have 3 girls, 2 squat by nature and tolerate being held and pet for just so long. The other will run like a wild banshee and squawk and flap like a maniac if you do catch and pet her.

 

[Cat Ballou]

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This is a pic of my younger hen, Dumpling. Shes the fastest I’ve ever seen! We don’t let them free range a lot so every time she escapes the run I have to use a big fishing net to catch her because I can’t get her with my hands.

She is beautiful. It would go a lot better for you both if you didn’t chase her at all but gave her special treats for coming back to you. Predators chase chickens. It’s in their instinct to run for their lives when chased.

I call mine with a high-pitched chick-chick-chick-chick-chick and reward them with BSFGs.

 

[XAshleyX]

I have 6 girls and they were all hand raised since about two weeks. 3/6 like to jump on me/people and are very friendly. One of these 3 is incredibly friendly and will fly on me multiple times a day and sleep, preen, and just hang out with me.
Two are okay and can easily be held. And one will always run for her life when approached.

 

[FloppyGirl]

Having about 50 girls now they come in all different personalities, Some enjoy being cuddled and carried around, some don't. I try to respect their boundaries. I heard Ameraucana breeds were affectionate but I haven't experienced that.