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Picking up the chickens (and how they react)

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by alex_s, May 11, 2009.

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  1. May 11, 2009 #1
    alex_s

    alex_s New Egg

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    May 11, 2009
    Hello, I'm new to chicken keeping but recently adopted two 16 week old black rock hens.

    When we first got them they'd run away from you if you tried to pick them up but they'd be fine once you held them. Now they simply freeze and raise their wings (hunching, to look kinda like a vulture... it's very odd looking) one hen even stays in that position once you're holding her. Is this normal behaviour when you approach or pick up a hen?
     
  3. May 11, 2009 #2
    NicInNC

    NicInNC Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Quote:Two of my banties do that exact same thing. I've been told that they respect you when they do that. I think they're scared though.

    I wish all my chickens reacted like that when I went to pick them up though. Makes it a lot easier when you're trying to round them up!
     
  5. May 11, 2009 #3
    fargosmom

    fargosmom Chillin' With My Peeps

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    I've read somewhere that it actually is the posture they would adopt if a rooster was around and they were receptive to him; so a general sign of respect and submission is how I see it.
     
  7. May 11, 2009 #4
    purr

    purr Chillin' With My Peeps

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    they squat for you that's cute. a couple of mine do this for me I am always flattered.
     
  9. May 11, 2009 #5
    jenni2142

    jenni2142 Chillin' With My Peeps

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    egg squat is a good thing, mine used to do that but now they are more pets so they just hop on up on my lap or just wait for me to pick them up.
     
  11. May 11, 2009 #6
    msgenie516

    msgenie516 The Happy Hen

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    Hi,

    Yes, they do that when they are coming into laying age. It's normal and nothing to be concerned about. Mine continue to do it no matter how old they are. Good luck with your chickens! [​IMG] Genie
     
  13. May 11, 2009 #7
    Dr.Doorlock

    Dr.Doorlock Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Quote:This must be true. Today was the first day I got 6 eggs from my eight hens (instead of 2) and it's also the first time they let me "pet" them like we pet our dogs. I kinda thought they were posturing for a roo and found it most embarassing. I'm supposed to be their daddy, but they don't know what's happening to them.

    Since I'm in the city, I can't have a roo, so I'm thinking of playing that Ambian commercial from the TV onto a recorder and playing it for them each morning.

    Have I got it bad or WHAT!
     
  15. May 14, 2009 #8
    alex_s

    alex_s New Egg

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    May 11, 2009
    Thanks for all the replies. I think you were right about them coming into laying age, we got our first egg this morning [​IMG]
     
  17. May 14, 2009 #9
    Attack Chicken

    Attack Chicken [IMG]emojione/assets/png/2665.png?v=2.2.7[/IMG] Hu

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    LOL I read somewhere else on here that someone has a contest to see home much their hens shake afterwards. I'll try to find the link.
     
  19. May 14, 2009 #10
    MHF

    MHF Out Of The Brooder

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    Our 6 cluckers do the submission thing when I walk into the coop or run. When we first got them I would go into the coop at night and pick up each hen off of the roost and hold and pet them. Now I can pick them up anytime I like.
    This is the same behavior that you see in dogs, submission to the leader, roleover on their backs and expoce their belly.
     
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