My chickens suddenly don't want to be held

[rosemarythyme]

Part of it is adolescence. Once they get to point of lay they should calm down and become friendlier again. That said, most chickens don't like being held regardless if they're molting. Best case scenario for the average bird is they'll tolerate it.

 

[Momma*chicken]

OK very good info to know... Thanks everyone! I don't hold them as much as I used to when they were babies, just every so often... And so far they always seemed pretty calm and docile while holding them. Today was the first time one of them actually tried to get down and was squawking. I don't even try to hold my roosters unless 100% necessary, because I know I'm lucky as long as they r friendly...dont want to push it! Lol
Well, now I know not to expect to hold them much, just wondered what was normal

 

[lazy gardener]

Agreed with @AUChickenGal . Good post.

 

[chickens really]

The feather loss is from the juvenile molt. They are getting their adult feathers. I agree, wait till they mature and they will calm down.

 

[Hanathehappyhen]

It us

Thank you for your responses! I will take that all into consideration! And I have notice a lot of feathers in their run, so maybe they r molting? How long does molting last? Just want to know how long I should wait to start holding them again?

For my hens it takes two to three months for that to finish. If you start noticing that there feathers are getting fuller or try patting them if they don't struggle I would say it's safe to hold them.

 

[MissChick@dee]

My husband and I have raised our chickens since they were 3 days old. They r now 10 1/2 wks old and suddenly they don't like to be held and they peck a little more. Is this because they r adolescents, will they grow out of it? Or does that just happen as chickens mature? For reference they r isa browns, I know breed can have a lot to do with it. Thanks!

 

[MissChick@dee]

Could be a little of everything that’s been posted. Chickens can be very subtle about clues. I learned more by just sitting and watching. My pecking order is going through a change right now it affects a lot my eldest hen gives a slight click and keeps the newer hens away from me. Also the heat has something to do with it too. It’s just TOO HOT to cuddle. Heat is hard for them.

 

[Shorty22366]

I hold all my babies. 7-8 mo., 23- 5 week old, 4 -3 week olds. But I don't grab them I go out and sit down where they are and allow them to come get in my lap or sit beside me in my chair. I think it permits them to decide if they want to cuddle or not plus no chance I am going to accidentally hurt them. There are times I have 10 or more sitting with me
Roosters and hens. A lot of times I read a book or just talk to them when they are in my lap. If they come between me and my book I figure they want my attention and I put book up. When I talk to them they cluck like they are talking back. Don't know if this is what you are suppose to do but it works for me. If they peck I gently rub they beak away to let them know pecking is not allowed. I don't hurt them and they are not allowed to hurt me. Good luck. I would hate to have chickens I couldn't pet and love.