POLL: do your chickens like to be touched or held?

[texaschickmama]

Two of my 15 like to be snuggled. You might try sitting in a chair or something comfortable in the coop and have some treats. They get up on my lap and finish their treats and then they like to held close and snuggled and I pet them while they sleep. So sweet. But only 2 like it and one more than the other.

 

[Katy]

None of mine like to be held. They'll come running up to me when I call them to see if I've got a treat, but forget the being picked up.

 

[nccountrygirl]

Only my fat Australorps like to be held, the rest run terrified from us.

Edited to add: Cruella and DeVil are the only ones laying so far and they think DH is their roo.

 

[Mac]

Bahahahah, TxChiknRanchers, so far I agree with you. I've got 9, 3 yr old inherited hens. I have to say, the only reason they come in contact with me at all is for FOOD. To give them some credit, I have to say they were never handled until I got them. I'm hoping my new chicks in the spring, with constant handling, will like to be handled. But one does approach me for treats and eats out of my hand. This same hen went berserk when I had to catch her to apply BluKote to her butt this last weekend....hey, they are chickens....

 

[TxChiknRanchers]

TxChiknRanchers, so far I agree with you.

That'll get you in trouble​

 

[okiechick57]

None of my own flock will let me hold or pet them........the flock of bantams I am babysitting for Haleyluna....well. there is one who LOVES to be held.....her name is Siesta and it fits.she falls asleep the minute she is in my arms..........so sweet.......

 

[joebwe25]

My little Henny gets real squirmy when you try to pick her up.
They all make a sound when they are molting and you bump them.
When ginger was around she would always be clucking whenever you touch her.

 

[Mac]

Quote:
That'll get you in trouble

I don't think my chickens have ever seen a cricket....however a 200 lb. mealworm, yeah, we would definitely go down..

 

[SandraChick]

The only chicken that I had that ever liked to be held or jumped on me was an australorp.

Got her from some friends and she grew up with ducks. Once I brought her here she even went in the duck coop at night instead of with the chickens. She never "saw herself" as a chicken I think. Once the drake got old enough to be a man....he was relentless with her and that's when she adopted me as her friend....she often would jump on my lap and take treats out of my hand. She was taken by a racoon or fox the day she started to jump on my shoulder and walk around the yard with me!....Rest her wonderful soul!

Sandra

 

[TxChiknRanchers]

Just had a thought. I know thats dangerous.

But maybe thats why chickens should not be held and cuddled they may loose the natural fear of things not Chicken. It may make them more vunerable to attack by things not chicken.

that and $1.50 will get you coffee at mickyd's