Birds to be tamed down first you start by not applying feed out all at once. Rather walk up to pen and apply a few peck worth of feed then move on. Come back a few minutes later after all consumed and repeat with third pass having balance of ration applied. Bird will first come to associate you with food but not a serious threat. At some point bird will work front of pen when you approach. Then get bird to take first peck or two from your hand before putting balance of ration into pen. This set up so bird will allow close contact. Then you start lifting front of pen before putting feed out to get bird used to that. Then get bird to walk out about half a step for small amounts of eats before gently pushing it back into pen. Bird will become accustomed to contact. Then start briefly picking bird up by cupping under breast then push it back into pen. At some point bird will allow you to pick it up without struggling. Particulars of technique not indicated but avoid looking directly at bird when approaching and move slowly without chasing. I personally avoid grabbing legs unless concerned about getting spurred and that is not with generally keeping. This assumes you start with a flighty bird; when starting with birds used to you as chicks everything is much easier and faster. Their is a learning curve to this and it normally takes on a few seconds per bird per day. Nothing is nicer than having a stag or hen you can have walk out from under lifted pen and allow you to pick it up. I really dislike having to go after one flighty bird that gets all the rest of yard riled up.
Often they go back to normal, often they don't Especially when it's an old hen. Is she old, or molting?
