Questions on the Anatomical Consequences of Handling Methods

[BantyChooks]

Hi all,
I've been mulling over a few things in my head on restraining chickens, flighty ones in particular, and was wondering if someone could give me an answer.
I see many people restrain and carry small birds by their wings, rather than risking regurgitation by holding them by the shanks or just to make check-overs easier. I wish to know if the wings are a strong enough point to carry the bird by or if it could potentially injure delicate bones. If someone could provide insight on this I'd quite appreciate it. Thank you.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I generally carry chickens hanging by their legs head down or I hold them by the legs and keep my other hand under their keel, keeping them upright.

Are you talking about holding them by the middle or tips of the wings with the wings outstretched? I'd consider that a good way to dislocate a joint, especially if they put up a fight. Or are you talking about clamping your hands over their wings and holding their wings tight to the body. I don't see any problems with that. I have picked birds up that way.

 

[BantyChooks]

I generally carry chickens hanging by their legs head down or I hold them by the legs and keep my other hand under their keel, keeping them upright.

Are you talking about holding them by the middle or tips of the wings with the wings outstretched? I'd consider that a good way to dislocate a joint, especially if they put up a fight. Or are you talking about clamping your hands over their wings and holding their wings tight to the body. I don't see any problems with that. I have picked birds up that way.

Close to the body... Wings held up. I can get an image of my thoughts if it helps. I definitely wouldn't hold a bird by the tips of the wings.

I hold them that way too most times but the flapping gets annoying so I had reverted to holding the wings with body support on non-bantam/particularly feisty birds just to keep them from squirming when restraint is required for, say, trimming toenails.

 

[Ridgerunner]

For trimming toenails or such I wrap them in a towel around the wings and lay them down on their belly. I don't even cover the head. That normally keeps them very calm.

 

[BantyChooks]

For trimming toenails or such I wrap them in a towel around the wings and lay them down on their belly. I don't even cover the head. That normally keeps them very calm.

That works too. I'm just wondering if restraining using the wings is a bad idea or not.

 

[aart]

I've seen the wing hold you are talking about,
can't remember where tho.
One hand, both wings at shoulder,
looked awkward and possibly damaging.
Probably not a backyard scenario.

If you have an image or vid , that would be good.

 

[BantyChooks]

I've seen the wing hold you are talking about,
can't remember where tho.
One hand, both wings at shoulder,
looked awkward and possibly damaging.
Probably not a backyard scenario.

If you have an image or vid , that would be good.

Sure. I'll get one when I go out to feed next.

 

[MageofMist]

My chickens aren't flighty, but they do have their moods when they wanna forage outside yet I wanna check on a pin feather or claw they somehow broke on their foot to ensure it isn't too badly damaged and need treating.

I pick them up by holding the wings close to their body, either with both hands on each side or by holding an arm across the bird's wing and having the other side against my body, and they will kick their legs and try and flap their wings but the moment they realize that they can't escape, they will calm down. Also, to get your birds more accepting of being held, you could offer them treats while holding them. They will stare at the treat for a while before taking it though when being held, but it does calm them down.

To me it is feels a lot safer than holding the wings up or holding them by the legs as they are unable to flail about and risk harming themselves. It is quite easy to flip them on their backs while you are holding their body and wings with both hands to check on their feet, though be careful they don't kick you in the face... Speaking from experience and ended up with a small cut on my lip.

 

[BantyChooks]

My chickens aren't flighty, but they do have their moods when they wanna forage outside yet I wanna check on a pin feather or claw they somehow broke on their foot to ensure it isn't too badly damaged and need treating.

I pick them up by holding the wings close to their body, either with both hands on each side or by holding an arm across the bird's wing and having the other side against my body, and they will kick their legs and try and flap their wings but the moment they realize that they can't escape, they will calm down. Also, to get your birds more accepting of being held, you could offer them treats while holding them. They will stare at the treat for a while before taking it though when being held, but it does calm them down.

To me it is feels a lot safer than holding the wings up or holding them by the legs as they are unable to flail about and risk harming themselves. It is quite easy to flip them on their backs while you are holding their body and wings with both hands to check on their feet, though be careful they don't kick you in the face... Speaking from experience and ended up with a small cut on my lip.

I do keep my birds decently tame, but I have near 50 at most times that circle in and out---I just can't make all those perfect. Plus, I'd like the roosters to stay wary.

Thanks for chiming in.

 

[MageofMist]

I do keep my birds decently tame, but I have near 50 at most times that circle in and out---I just can't make all those perfect. Plus, I'd like the roosters to stay wary.

Thanks for chiming in.

Even though mine are tamed and will happily hop on my lap and most of the time I can pick them up without any issue, but they can be right grumps and throw tantrums when I pick them up when they don't want me to. Holding them by the wings on the body helps when they have their tantrums as otherwise they'd be flapping their wings to try and escape. Total drama queens, my chickens are.

It is amusing, it is the hens that give me the most trouble while the rooster and cockerel just sorta... Lay in my arms and make confused whines, being right marshmallows and don't even protest (much) when I turn them on their backs, just slowly kicking their legs and doing quiet, slightly distressed clucks to show me they don't like it.

The hens? You'd think they thought I was gonna eat them with how much they kick, loudly cluck and flap like mad! I swear, my chickens are reversed in temperaments.