Should I force them to like being held?

[Chocobo]

I have two Buff Orpingtons and two Easter Eggers. All are almost three weeks old.
The Buffs don't care how I hold them at all and are VERY laid back. The Easter Eggers....not so much.

They don't mind being held as long as they are standing on my hand or arm but if I try to actually pick them up in any way they peep like I'm trying to kill them and try to flap as hard as they can.
I've gotten pretty good at getting them to just hop up on my hand but as they get bigger isn't the proper way to transport them to hold them by the sides or with a hand underneath and the legs dangling?
Should I be trying to desensitize them now to being handled that way while they are still young or is this just an indicator of how they will be preferred to be handled all their life regardless of how much I try get them used to being held with their wings pressed to the side and feet dangling?

 

[2overeasy000]

Yes. Try to handle them ever day now that they are young. My EE started that way too but now they are the first to run over to me.

 

[cmom]

I agree just keep handling them and they will get used to it. Treats help. The best way to a chicken's heart is through its stomach.

 

[jaimslee4u]

I have both and I did notice (even from day one), me Orps were much friendlier. Keep loving them and offering treats they will come around. Orps I think are just much cookier personal birds and love to be held.

 

[Chocobo]

Quote:
Define "Handling".
I pick them up several times a day and let them hop around on my hands and arms and give them treats. They now equate my hand with food

but should I also be holding them and picking them up the "normal" way so they get used to it even though they would prefer to stand on their own?

 

[debid]

I'd do whatever you'll need to do if she gets a wound and needs assistance. To me, that means forcing them to be picked up and held. I have one EE that screams bloody murder every.single.time. She runs and puts up such a fuss! She likes to be preened, though. So, I go ahead and grab her, put her on my leg, and hold her until she quits complaining. I then preen her and she relaxes and will be a lot more approachable for a few hours afterward. Of course, all is forgotten by the next day and it's back to crazy Gertie. She's fully treat-trained and will run over to take food from me but that hasn't made one iota of difference with her attitude about being picked up.

 

[chickenseller94]

you should hold them as much as possible and get them used to the human interaction... i have had the same issues before but ther chicks will get used to it over time

 

[Chocobo]

Quote:
Interesting. Obviously I've seen birds preen each other but how exactly does a human "preen" a chicken?

 

[cmom]

Quote:
Define "Handling".
I pick them up several times a day and let them hop around on my hands and arms and give them treats. They now equate my hand with food

but should I also be holding them and picking them up the "normal" way so they get used to it even though they would prefer to stand on their own?

I think you are doing just fine and that they will get used to being picked up and less resistant with time.

(handling them)
I would hold them for several minutes until they are calm and then for a few more minutes to show them you aren't going to harm them. I have had some that would jump into my lap, my lap chickens. Some will want to be held and others won't. They each have their own personalities. I have had some that love to be picked up and others that don't want to be picked up no matter how much I have handled them. I always support them by putting my hand under them. I think the way they are picked up and held is important too. Just my opinion.

 

[2overeasy000]

Quote:
Define "Handling".
I pick them up several times a day and let them hop around on my hands and arms and give them treats. They now equate my hand with food

but should I also be holding them and picking them up the "normal" way so they get used to it even though they would prefer to stand on their own?

Pick them up. Stay calm. Don't put them back down until they are calm.