Kristen’s Chickens and Farming Ventures

[aart]

I’ve successfully trained one of my cockerels who had the same ideas

I 'train' them by unceremoniously and abruptly knocking them off if they fly on me.
Usually doesn't take more than once or twice and they get the idea.

 

[BY Bob]

I

I 'train' them by unceremoniously and abruptly knocking them off if they fly on me.
Usually doesn't take more than once or twice and they get the idea.

I would have guessed that was your method.

In the past, I have been able to train my leghorns to fly or jump up on command and to recognize the palm up open hand as no jump or fly. It just takes time and patience. They seem to be very bright in some ways. I have not ever had them fly to my back or head area. I guess I have been lucky there.

 

[aart]

I would have guessed that was your method.

Haha!! Exactly!
I like chickens and even like to pick them up once in while,
but don't really want them 'on' me.... especially uninvited.

 

[Kris5902]

Sounds like there’s some hope for her learning manners then! That’s a relief... she has figured out my “no” hand, and I’m pretty sure she understands the you can fly here gesture... she just doesn’t like my forearm as much as my shoulder or head we will keep working on it.

I am starting to wonder about my beautiful Chickie Hawk though. I’m not sure if he will ever settle down. I know the barn isn’t good for his little chicken psyche... but if he doesn’t settle it might be the end for him. I’m trying to decide how much a**h*** behavior I can deal with.

Yesterday he tried to flog me, today he did it again. I put him outside so I could move the hay for my cows, he went around the corner, and I thought “we’re going to have an ok morning after all”. I tossed one bale out the door and was lifting the second up with my back to the door when I heard a thump and he attacked my calf. He had come back around the corner of the barn jumped the 2 1/2 feet or so up into it and ran at my back. I secured him under my left arm and then only had my right to lift the hay and the alfalfa with (so glad they are down to half bales!), as that was faster and easier than securing him in the crate.

I’m committed to getting him out on grass with some girls, before I make a final call, but things aren’t looking too good for him right now.

 

[aart]

I’m committed to getting him out on grass with some girls, before I make a final call, but things aren’t looking too good for him right now.

Not sure that will change his tune.

 

[Kris5902]

Not sure that will change his tune.

Me neither... but I’m going to give him a chance. He’s been getting progressively harder to deal with since I moved him into the barn

 

[Ribh]

Me neither... but I’m going to give him a chance. He’s been getting progressively harder to deal with since I moved him into the barn

All teenagers are PITSs. Most grow up into decent beings.

 

[Kris5902]

Ok, here’s how it’s supposed to look... with my Sammy. Chicken on hand or arm, like a little white hawk for falconry. I had to lift him up some... he is a sweetie and loves his cuddles and pets. Only three weeks younger than Chickie Hawk’s batch, and part of the “little white devils” group I just processed a bunch of because they were jerks!

He has never bit, flogged, or even attempted threat or mating displays around me, he does alarm to strangers though!

 

[Ribh]

Super gorgeous ~ both of you.

 

[Kris5902]

Super gorgeous ~ both of you.

Awww, thanks! You know you’re getting old when they ask you for ID at the liquor store and you ask them to please repeat that a little louder so your husband can hear it... you hand it over and the clerk starts to apologize... my hair is still a disaster, but that’s normal for me now