New scared chickens

[ranchhand]

Quote:
Respectfully, because we want to...

Off the top of my head answer is what does the chicken think about that? Being forced to be held so the human is happy? To heck with how the chicken feels?

The deeper, more realistic, reaction is that chickens are not very good little pets- their affection is mostly fueled by food. If it comes to a choice of food or huggies, they will choose food every time. It's just the way they are.

I have dogs, cats and chickens at the moment- even the dogs will let me know when they want affection or not. I've had chickens over 18 years now. They "love" me because I bring food, not because I hug them.

Nothing wrong with it, just don't expect it. I do have a few who seem to see me as more than a source of food, but they're pretty rare! The hen in my avvie, Goldie, is by far the nicest natured.

 

[al6517]

Quote:
Respectfully, because we want to...

Off the top of my head answer is what does the chicken think about that? Being forced to be held so the human is happy? To heck with how the chicken feels?

The deeper, more realistic, reaction is that chickens are not very good little pets- their affection is mostly fueled by food. If it comes to a choice of food or huggies, they will choose food every time. It's just the way they are.

I have dogs, cats and chickens at the moment- even the dogs will let me know when they want affection or not. I've had chickens over 18 years now. They "love" me because I bring food, not because I hug them.

Nothing wrong with it, just don't expect it. I do have a few who seem to see me as more than a source of food, but they're pretty rare! The hen in my avvie, Goldie, is by far the nicest natured.

Finnaly a voice of reason, well said and so very true. Most BYC folks think chickens relate in human terms, not even close. Your analogy is right on the money.

AL

 

[gumbii]

go to a reptile store, buy like 5 bucks of meal worms... keep them in your fridge, and feed them to them wile sitting low... they will be your best friends after they're all gone... LOL...


and the holding part... i only hold the exhibition roosters... need to get them used to the judges and stuff... even though they don't like it, they can and will get used to it... maybe it's not pleasant for them, they will just get used to it... and if it makes me happy having a rooster on my shoulder while i walk to my mail box so be it... it's happens and is gonna happen no matter what the rooster thinks of it...

 

[noodleroo]

Quote:
I don't pretend to know what my chickens think but I'm pretty sure I know how they feel by how they act.

Sweetie, one of my buff orps, will hop up on my lap if I sit in a chair or on the ground and wait for me to gently lift her to the area under my neck where she likes to snuggle. I gently stroke her feathers on the back of her neck and her little ears while talking softly to her. There is no food or treats involved - only the opportunity to have me love her. I'm sure it is her idea, and I kinda like it, too. She willingly stays there until I put her down. The others come and go and take turns sitting in my lap, but Sweetie would stay with me all the time if I'd let her.

I would agree that if you had to chase a chicken down, grab it and hold it while it struggled - would not be a good thing. That's why I recommend using treats and sitting on the ground to let the chickens come to you. That is, if you want your chickens to be pets that you actually can pet. Not everyone wants them that tame, and that's OK, too.

None of my animals would ever dream that anyone or anything would ever hurt them. Yep; I'm pretty sure I know how they feel and mine love me back.

That's not to say that they don't just use me for a napkin sometimes....little stinkers...

 

[noodleroo]

The first pic is of the girls waiting in line for their turn. As you can see by the expression on their faces, they are pretty content. The second pic is of Sweetie. She looks pretty happy, too...

 

[heather112588]

noodleroo, thank you for that. The pics are adorable

. I have 1 rir girl (lady) out of 5 hens that is like that; sits on my shoulder or flys up whenever im around, loves being pet...even without treats in my hand.

 

[dawn0326]

noodleroo, great pictures!!! We have some that love to be held (silkies) and one that would peck us if we tried (an adorable wyandotte). We love them all and respect their different personalities!

 

[PepsNick]

Quote:
Respectfully, because we want to...

Off the top of my head answer is what does the chicken think about that? Being forced to be held so the human is happy? To heck with how the chicken feels?

The deeper, more realistic, reaction is that chickens are not very good little pets- their affection is mostly fueled by food. If it comes to a choice of food or huggies, they will choose food every time. It's just the way they are.

I have dogs, cats and chickens at the moment- even the dogs will let me know when they want affection or not. I've had chickens over 18 years now. They "love" me because I bring food, not because I hug them.

Nothing wrong with it, just don't expect it. I do have a few who seem to see me as more than a source of food, but they're pretty rare! The hen in my avvie, Goldie, is by far the nicest natured.

There are many chickens that will jump in your lap and sit there, jump on your head and constantly want to be picked up, though, those chickens don't any food when they do that, and constantly want it. The way I see it is they like to be held.

 

[chevgrl]

I totally agree and believe chickens love and I don't thinks it has anything to do with reason! Its about security and feeling secure. If I never fed my dogs they would probably run away and I know if I didn't feed my farm cats they would too. Using treats if a way of initiating a relationship, your contribution to the flock. Not that they don't love it! Its just not the only reason they want to be held.

 

[macadam8157]

I love it when a few good people get there feathers rustled over there chickens on BYC...... very entertaining!!!