picking up chicks/chickens

[Chicken_Girl]

since we havnt got chickens or chicks yet we need to know how to pick them up before we get them

well when we get chicks we need to know how to pick them up can someone explain or show in pictures how to pick the chicks up and if picking chickens up is different to picking chicks up the can someone explain or show in pictures how to pick chickens up

thankies

 

[jimnjay]

With chicks I usually put my hand under the body with fingers betwee the legs and lift. It is best to allow them to sit in your hand with your second hand hovering over the wings so they don't flap out.

With adult birds it is best to lift them much the same way as described above but that is not always possible if you have flighty chickens. I try to make sure the wings are secure and they are not able to fly. You will see people who hold them by the legs upside down. That is fine when you are taking them to be butchered as it does not matter much then. It is NOT a recommended way to handle a chicken.


With my birds, since they are pretty tame, I pick them up and place them in the crook of my arm against my body with the legs very loosly held in place with my arm and torso. Their entire body then rests on my arm. They seem to like this and don't appear to feel trapped. I carry them around this way often. It works really well for bantams. It would not work well for larger breeds.

If you have access to Backyard Poultry magazine, there are pictures and an article in the August/September edition. You might find it at your library. or checkout : backyardpoultrymag.com

 

[CtlisencedArborist]

As long as its not like the guys on the Kentucky fried cruelty video youll be just fine.

 

[Chicken_Girl]

thanks guys this info really does help

 

[SpottedCrow]

A football carry works good too...usually I wind up with a bird on my shoulder.

 

[Chicken_Girl]

lol ok this is all useful

 

[AK-Bird-brain]

support their feet to help them feel secure and hold them close to prevent flapping wings. when they get to flapping they can hurt themselfs.