JordanFarm
In the Brooder
I have seen several posts where people are advised to not allow their chicks/pullets to jump on them because it can lead to aggressive behavior but there seem to be an equal number of people who have cuddly hens.
How do you tell the difference when they are young if they are beginning to be aggressive, or if they want to be cuddlebugs. Of my 5, 4 of them used to like to hop on my lap for petting/cuddling, and one wanted to sit on my shoulder. They didn't peck at me, so I allowed them to continue. As they got older only one continues to want to sit on my lap but if I sit down she hops up immediately. She seems to enjoy being petted and cuddled close to me and when she's had enough attention she hops off. She doesn't peck at me but I am careful not to let her think about it. They are not otherwise at all aggressive.
Is it just a judgement call and the advice about not letting them is erring on the side of caution? - I have many other animals and can tell the difference between one trying to be assertive vs just enjoying the interaction so I treated the pullets the same way.
How do you tell the difference when they are young if they are beginning to be aggressive, or if they want to be cuddlebugs. Of my 5, 4 of them used to like to hop on my lap for petting/cuddling, and one wanted to sit on my shoulder. They didn't peck at me, so I allowed them to continue. As they got older only one continues to want to sit on my lap but if I sit down she hops up immediately. She seems to enjoy being petted and cuddled close to me and when she's had enough attention she hops off. She doesn't peck at me but I am careful not to let her think about it. They are not otherwise at all aggressive.
Is it just a judgement call and the advice about not letting them is erring on the side of caution? - I have many other animals and can tell the difference between one trying to be assertive vs just enjoying the interaction so I treated the pullets the same way.
