Most of my hens will stand on my hands and allow me to lift them - only Mary finds it difficult but she's a really big hen. But they hate being grabbed from above, which makes sense because that's how an airborne predator would grab them, so I'm ok with that.
I don’t pick them from above, i just tightly hold down their wings and lift them upwards when needed. The only time i do that is when i need to see the feet for bumble foot or something.
Yeh that's what I had in mind when I said grabbed from above, but it still has to be done sometimes. Like what you're doing with bumblefoot or if the hens need to go in their travel boxes for some reason or lifting a broody off a nest.
Yeah! My broodies are always so floppy when i take them off, you know? Like they just make no efforts to move.
I’m finding I’m still hyper-vigilant though; watching Lottie’s behaviour and micro-analysing it. I really hope she’s ok and her bony underside is just her normal.
My chronic broodies are tiny enough for me to slide a hand under them & lift them that way. Far less traumatizing.
I remember a video you posted where you did that - it was lovely to see. I try to do the same with the Hooligans while they are still small.
How is it going? Do they accept your touch?
I can imagine
Here is Tegan’s roost. It’s a bit dodgy compared with the quality of the build but it should be sturdy enough. She’s not getting up there herself at bedtime, I have to lift her up. But she’s sleeping there.
