Rebellious silkie!

[Ilovechickens119]

Hi all,
I have a beautiful 9month old Silkie Bantam called Sooty and two adorable Pekin Bantams (one 9months and one 1year old) called Tilly and Blue. I went away on holiday a few weeks and gave the girls to my to neighbour for her to look after but, ever since I have been back, Sooty the Silkie seems like she’s terrified of me! When I go to pet her she runs super fast and when I finally catch her she makes a kind of purring noise and struggles because she wants to get off my lap! This is totally different to the Sooty I left before I went away! What can I do to regain her trust and why is she acting all different??

Any replies are greatly appreciated!

Thanks

 

[aart]

A few weeks is long time to a chicken,
it's stressful for them to be moved and have different people tending them.
You'll just have to go slow, be patient and calm and 'make friends' again.

 

[Ilovechickens119]

A few weeks is long time to a chicken,
it's stressful for them to be moved and have different people tending them.
You'll just have to go slow, be patient and calm and 'make friends' again.

Ok, thanks.
I’ll keep trying!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

@aart has given you good advice. But I think it will also help you to realize that your sweet girl is not being "rebellious," her behaviour indicates that she is frightened and/or has been traumatized. Perhaps something happened to frighten her in your absence. Be tender, gentle and patient with her, as if you were taming her for the first time, and with luck she will calm down again.

 

[Chickassan]

I'd suggest getting some top of the line treats, i'm talking live mealworms and cool watermelon.
You left Sooty and chickens hold grudges lol!
Neighbor was likely also spoiling Sooty at the same time so you got one upped.
You don't get a holiday with pet chickens, they'll make you pay for it.

 

[Ilovechickens119]

@aart has given you good advice. But I think it will also help you to realize that your sweet girl is not being "rebellious," her behaviour indicates that she is frightened and/or has been traumatized. Perhaps something happened to frighten her in your absence. Be tender, gentle and patient with her, as if you were taming her for the first time, and with luck she will calm down again.

Poor little Sooty! Hopefully she’ll begin to trust me again soon. Thanks!

 

[Ilovechickens119]

I'd suggest getting some top of the line treats, i'm talking live mealworms and cool watermelon.
You left Sooty and chickens hold grudges lol!
Neighbor was likely also spoiling Sooty at the same time so you got one upped.
You don't get a holiday with pet chickens, they'll make you pay for it.

Ahh. Sounds like a plan, hopefully I can win her over again! Thanks a lot