my chickens don't like to be pet :(

[Chirpy]

My chickens were all held lots by my family as they grew up. Some of them come up to us to be held and some don't. However, at this point, all of our chickens see us as the head Roo (probably because we don't have an adult Roo right now) and when we walk by them they immediately crouch down at our feet (like they would do to a Roo for mating). We just pick them up and pet them.

Chickens certainly have different personalities and some breeds (like the SS Hamburgs) are just more skittish than others.

 

[luckychic]

All of my chickens are older and not raised by me. Two are just at the point of the big voice change and the other two are of laying age. I've had them for 4 weeks. None of them *like* to be held or pet.

I have been doing the hand feeding and sitting on a chair with them in their day run when I read a magazine or the paper or make some phone calls. The other thing I do is to pet them once they have roosted for the night. Three of them I can't pet out in the run during the day, but one I can.

And day before yesterday one jumped onto my shoulder!! Jasmine was there until I made her get down. It was cool, except she wanted to eat my earrings (which were red) and try to peck at my teeth while I was laughing. I still can't pet her though. Affection at her terms - and this happened right as she was heading to roost.

So I'm also training that roost = a massage! Coop = good stuff!

 

[kinnip]

I have had success making friends with my Marans using mealworms fed by hand.

 

[AtRendeAcres]

They are kind of like kids!
something spokes them (freinds, TV, etc...)

talk to them weather they answer or not
feed them
pick up after them
just be there
when they figure out you re safe again they will be there!

& it is all worth it!!!

 

[SpottedCrow]

Miss MOneyPenny, my Silkie/Cochin hen would peck me to be picked up.
Slifer the Sky Dragon, my Brahma/Leghorn mix, would tolerate being picked up, but when it came to be petted she lapped it up. LOL
Obelisk the Tormentor, my Leghorn insaniac, acts like you're coming after her with 17 herbs and spices...but if she's not feeling well which has happened all of maybe 5 times, will come and sit on my lap and get petted.

 

[milleryardchx]

mine follow me around the yard and will eat out of my hand but will not let me touch them at all! i sit outside and they will come to my feet and hangout but theres a big no touchie rule with them haha. its like nananana look but no touching haha

 

[chicksinthemachine]

I have a few that are skittish and some that love to be held. I am currently working with one roo(very aggresive Light Brahma) carry him around with me let the kids pet him and eventually he calms down and decides he likes it, it just takes time and a lot of patience! This technique worked for our hen and now she thinks I'M A ROO!!!LOL

 

[PoultryPedia]

I'm re-posting here some info I wrote on an earlier thread:

Chicken idolization is great--There are few things quite as cute as chickens streaking across the yard to meet you when you go outside!

Something I've found to be effective in teaching chickens to not be afraid of people is to linger and pet them right after you fill their food or water (ESPECIALLY THE WATER). They'll "squeal" and jump away at first, but their hunger or thirst will bring them right back. Rub them gently in front of one of their wings or on their breast. It seems they soon associate this stroking with pleasantness also from their little crops getting filled at the same time.

Another extremely effective method for gentling chickens: After catching one, hold and stroke it a while until it calms down. To release the chicken, slowly lower it toward the ground while holding its wings against the sides of its body. If the chicken starts to struggle, immediately lift it away from the ground. Then try moving toward the ground again. As soon as it wriggles again, lift upwards again. Once it stays calm all the way to the ground, hold it there just a couple seconds, maybe give it a stroke, and let it go. Chickens learn that stressing out and trying to wrench away isn’t rewarding. Don't ask for perfection at first, but do work for reasonable progress. Most learn very soon (within 4 or so times) to be more calm and relaxed while being handled.

That said, I used to wonder along with others about whether any chickens really liked being held and/or petted. Then I got the tamest batch of chickens I've ever had. They're Large Fowl Ameraucanas I mail ordered from a breeder who told me her chickens are very docile and that her friendliest is one of her roosters. The hen I still have has flown up on my back or arm different times (and does NOT want to get down lau ). She LOVES to be cuddled and nestles her head beneath my chin (see my avatar) and makes happy-hen sounds. She enjoys being held very much. She will often ignore food when I pick her up, even—She just enjoys me petting her or traipsing around with her.

Sometimes they change a lot as they grow up. This same hen was fairly skittish as a chick. I’ve had chicks that were very tame get offish when older.

However, I have found some chickens do not enjoy handling no matter how much you work with them.

 

[karen+3chickens]

YOu have all provided some great advice! I really like the idea about picking them up and making sure they are calm before I put them down. I will have to work on that one. I had a minor breakthrough tonight. I was sitting on my bench reading and the chickens were walking around by me feet. Then Bitsy, my rir, jumped on my leg and sat for a few minutes. She even let me PET here Inside I was cheering like crazy but I remained cool, calm, and collected so not to scare her. Maybe they kinda sorta like me after all.

 

[PoultryPedia]

karen+3chickens--Yippee! Glad to hear it!