Pullets 7 weeks & 16 weeks

[ShanasCastle]

As for holding them: chickens are prey animals. Most don't want to be held. If you want an animal that wants that kind of attention, get a dog or cat, or even a guinea pig!

But, there are times when it's important to pick up your birds to inspect them, move them to a safe location, or "treat" them for an injury. You should not be afraid to pick them up. Since you ARE afraid, you should handle them so that your fear will become a distant memory. The best way to do so is at night, after they've gone to perch. They are more docile after dark. Simply wrap your hands around the bird, clasping her wings to her body. Lift her off the perch. You can then bring her to your chest to secure one wing, while you cradle her with your other hand. She will kick her feet around and yell, until she feels secure in your grip.

THEN, the fun begins. Take your free hand, and gently use thumb and index finger to massage her face: comb, around eyes, ears, wattles, and her jaw line, and gently scritch the feathers at the back of her head. If you're doing it correctly, she will usually close her eyes, and lean into you, much the same way a cat does when you rub those "pleasure" points.

When you handle a bird, don't put her down until she's calm. Then when you release her, do so gently. If you put her down while she's in a panic, that will be her long term memory of the encounter. If you wait till she's calm, she will remember the experience as ending on a positive note.

Often, my birds who have received facial massages from me will become pests. They will stand in front of me, and beg for attention. One Dom I had used to hop up on the waist level perch and lean into me for her daily facial massage.

Thanks!

 

[Alexandra33]

All stunning mixed breeds. Considering its skin's quite dark, I'm thinking your crested baby has some Silkie in that background.

With treats (the ultimate key to a chook's heart), your little beauties should become much more comfortable around you. I don't guarantee they'll allow you to hold them as a result, but it's worth a shot!

~Alex

 

[ShanasCastle]

All stunning mixed breeds. Considering its skin's quite dark, I'm thinking your crested baby has some Silkie in that background.

With treats (the ultimate key to a chook's heart), your little beauties should become much more comfortable around you. I don't guarantee they'll allow you to hold them as a result, but it's worth a shot!

~Alex

So, I've been experimenting! The big pure white hen was Very friendly in the coop where I bought her, will take some pets, and is the protector/adventurer of the flock. I've been taking trips to the coop a few times a day (can't help myself, they're just too fun) and spending time, talking, watching, offering treats from my hand. Night before last when it was time to lock up the coop, I talked, cooed, then started petting Bertha (yeah I named them lol, if you met her you'd see why!). The others freak out in the small coop but I just kept talking Softly and petting Bertha. I started humming to them and the babies (7 weeks adopted the 4 month old Wyandotte mix) started coming out from under the wings of their surrogate mom & watching me with, curiosity. Yesterday, Everyone was coming up very close to me and not nearly as nervous. WE are nervous about each other and trying to get to know each other. I've been slammed a couple of times for what I've said about being afraid so I'm hesitant to post anything else! I appreciate your kind words and am working on my anxiety. Full disclosure? I suffer from ADHD, anxiety disorder, and OCD. So I'm a bundle of energy, a perfectionist, and a 1st timer! LMBO so....loads of questions! But, I see that I have to learn their body language, behavior, and their specific sounds. I have experience in a number of furry animals, including a cougar! I think me and the chicks will be ok!!

 

[Alexandra33]

So, I've been experimenting! The big pure white hen was Very friendly in the coop where I bought her, will take some pets, and is the protector/adventurer of the flock. I've been taking trips to the coop a few times a day (can't help myself, they're just too fun) and spending time, talking, watching, offering treats from my hand. Night before last when it was time to lock up the coop, I talked, cooed, then started petting Bertha (yeah I named them lol, if you met her you'd see why!). The others freak out in the small coop but I just kept talking Softly and petting Bertha. I started humming to them and the babies (7 weeks adopted the 4 month old Wyandotte mix) started coming out from under the wings of their surrogate mom & watching me with, curiosity. Yesterday, Everyone was coming up very close to me and not nearly as nervous. WE are nervous about each other and trying to get to know each other. I've been slammed a couple of times for what I've said about being afraid so I'm hesitant to post anything else! I appreciate your kind words and am working on my anxiety. Full disclosure? I suffer from ADHD, anxiety disorder, and OCD. So I'm a bundle of energy, a perfectionist, and a 1st timer! LMBO so....loads of questions! But, I see that I have to learn their body language, behavior, and their specific sounds. I have experience in a number of furry animals, including a cougar! I think me and the chicks will be ok!!

Bless your heart. You have no idea how much joy this post has brought me tonight! I couldn't be happier to hear the little munchkins are slowly warming up. With time, and lots of effort on your part, I'm confident a bond will form.

Another trick that will allow for gradual exposure to human touch is: wait 'till dusk, after everybody is preparing to snooze, and either scoop up one at a time for a good snuggle sesson, or simply stroke them as they roost.

There is absolutely NO reason for the criticism you've received. It's completely understandable that you'd be nervous to interact with skittish birds, especially considering you haven't gotten to know them yet. Hang in there, okay?

~Alex

 

[ShanasCastle]

Bless your heart. You have no idea how much joy this post has brought me tonight! I couldn't be happier to hear the little munchkins are slowly warming up. With time, and lots of effort on your part, I'm confident a bond will form.

Another trick that will allow for gradual exposure to human touch is: wait 'till dusk, after everybody is preparing to snooze, and either scoop up one at a time for a good snuggle sesson, or simply stroke them as they roost.

There is absolutely NO reason for the criticism you've received. It's completely understandable that you'd be nervous to interact with skittish birds, especially considering you haven't gotten to know them yet. Hang in there, okay?

~Alex

Thanks!! I'm working on that

 

[CannedMonster]

We all love to go sit with our flocks and watch them.
It not at all strange for you to go see them several times a day.
I do too.
Some of your birds may grow to love attention and some may not.
They’re individuals and have different personalities.
You are very courageous to challenge yourself and I think you are doing great!
Please don’t let harsh individuals ruin your experience on BYC for you.
There are many more kind gentle souls on here who will help you in any way they can.
You have some beautiful babies!

 

[drumstick diva]

agree with ChooksNQuilts. If individuals are being harsh with you on BYC, click a Report icon in the post. Moderators will take a look at it. That should not be the experience you have with any of us. I know all about anxiety disorders if you want to start a conversation with me. I think you are doing great.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

Hey everyone!

Here are my babies, all purchased locally. The babies were bought from 3 kids who raised them for a school project. They claimed the chicks are barred rocks. Not so sure. The older girls are 1) Wyandotte 2) leghorn?

I'm new to this and I would just like to be sure of what I have and appreciate all of your experience and insight. Thank you for allowing me to be apart of your community!

P. S. Could use advise on overcoming my fear of holding them. The leghorn allows me to pet her, the other one is shy & runs from me. The babies were first & they screamed when I picked them up so it freaked me out! I thought I was hurting them. Hahaha YOU would've too had you heard that squeal. "We" are learning about one another together. The older ones were stuck in an overcrowded coop but the babies were held a lot! My husband (grew up on farm) says that my birds are happy & like me more than him so I'm "a good mother hen"!

A few of them are a bit too young to be sure of breed. Could you take individual standing side pictures and pictures of their combs?