Should I force them to like being held?

[Hottchick]

I have an EE and she's been handled as much as my other birds and she still hates to be touched! She is my least friendly bird. Maybe it's something with them.
I forgive her because she's beautiful and gives me pretty green eggs.

 

[MareeZoCool]

all my chickens love me........... aslong as I don't touch them.

 

[Chocobo]

I know this is a silly question but when you say to "hold" them do you mean just let them stand on your hand or should I make sure they are sitting down or have their wings pinned to their side?

 

[Nicole01]

I did and I have super mega friendly chicks. When I sit in the coop all 8 of them jump on my lap!

 

[debid]

Well, I count it if they're standing on their own while allowing me to touch them. If I touch and they jump down, I'm not really in control of the situation.

With a reluctant chicken, I pick up with one hand under the belly between the legs and the other hand on their back. OR, two hands from above/behind, thumbs over the wings and with fingers under the bird to support their body. It just takes a bit of practice. And, remaining calm yourself absolutely makes a difference.

As for how to preen a chicken, it's basically using your fingernails like a beak... scratching at the feathers that aren't all of the way in yet so the loose coating comes off. It's very gentle and I have yet to meet a bird that doesn't love a good preen. Those pin feathers are itchy, I think, and birds preen other birds in their flock so it's a semi-natural experience for them. I used to preen my parrot and she'd turn into melted butter in my hands so it only made sense to me to do the same with a chicken.

 

[WooingWyandotte]

Maybe I'll try some preening on my chickens. They like it when I stroke their feathers and check for lice/fleas, but I've never tried preening.

 

[Chocobo]

Quote:
But what if you're a guy and don't have any long nails?

 

[Billyk]

Stroke gently with you finger. Our two Orps, and two Dominiques just love it and will hop right up for some, the Barred Rocks are coming around now as well, now if the Comets will just settle down....

 

[QuinnP]

Gypsy flaps & squeaks too when I pick her up.

 

[laseterlass]

I put my hands in palms up and wiggle my fingers. They all run over fighting for space for a belly tickle. They love it. No treats involved.