okay...I am scared to pick one up.

[CallyB57]

Quote:
No, you ain't crazy. I love my roosters too. I have a boxing match every day with a smoke-colored silky. Actually, a mock match as I would never hit him hard enough to hurt him. He started pecking the daylights out of me when he matured enough to romance his little harem, so now we go round and round a couple of minutes before I'm able to show him a thing or two, then I pick him up and once I get him in my arms he just melts.

 

[georgialee]

I think the football hold is easiest... just tuck one under your arm and both wings will be pinned. I usually do it when they're facing away otherwise they run. Throw a watermelon or something in there and they'll hardly pay any attention to you. good luck!

 

[scarter]

In 4-H they teach the football hold as well. Head towards your elbow and fingers spread with one finger on either side of the legs and the other fingers between the legs. Other hand over the wings unless you have chickens like ours that are used to be carried around by a two year old!

Really they are much easier if you continue to hold them and then when they start squatting wayyyy easier.

 

[Metanoia]

Also hold them with their feet slightly away from you in the football hold. If they can touch your jumper with their feet they are more likely to try to launch and flap away. I also never let mine get away with flying down. If I lose control they get picked straight back up for a few seconds, then I put them down when I'm ready. Dont' want them to think they can get away with trying to fly away when I pick them up.

 

[magsrags]

Quote:
LOLO....I agree.... No feet holding...they just push off and it can scrsatch.......just grab firmly round back of their wings and tuck under 1 arm speaking nicely. Walk around a bit & offer treats once they settle down. That gets them used to ya.
Good luck!

 

[achickenhead]

I did it. On the weekend I had a beer, got brave and followed your advice.

I picked one up. And then another one and then another one!

Thanks everyone....way easier than I thought. I was more afraid than the chickens!

My husband thinks I am crazy.

 

[Joecola123]

better to do it fast if you go slow they will think you are like stalking them lol

try walking over to them but dont look at them and pretend you are going to do something else then strike at them and pick them up.

some chickens just dont like being held
remember if your nervouse they will feel nervouse

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
Yay!!!

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

yay!! thats the way to cowboy up! pretty soon you'll be carrying 'em around just because!

good for you!!!

ps glad they didnt peck your eyes out
;-)
(just kidding)