I am a first time chicken owner and my chicks are growing fast and are about 6 weeks old. I find that I am still holding them out in front of me with 2 hands. They are starting to get alittle to big to do that method. Does anyone have any pictures of the proper way to hold a chicken?
Simply pick them up with your hands holding both sides so their wings can't flap, then move the bird to your hip, and release that hand depending on wether you prefer the right hip or the left, and allow the bird to rest against your side with the legs allowed to dangle down. You can carry them around now, using only one hand to hold them against your body. bigzio
I put mine right up next to my chest and hold them with one hand. Because I like to kiss mine They love to snuggle there too and fall asleep
I hold mine in a way very much like what bigzio described, except I put my free hand under their feet. Young chickens don't seem to like the sensation of hanging in the air, i.e., they like to feel solid under their feet.
I scoop my right hand under them, and catch their legs between my fingers. Then I tuck the bird under my left arm, holding down the wings, and transfer their legs to my left hand from underneath. Sometimes it's hard not to just palm them like a football, though, and run! LOL!
Grab them with both hands to cover the wings and then hold them like a football, with your arm and body preventing the wings from flapping
i pick them up under their wings so they're not restricted and i have super tame chickens so it works nicely without flapping but i have a bad boy roo Sumatra that i need to pick up by his legs... he attacks if i try any other way! anyone want a free Sumatra?
I hold my arm out and Ben steps right on ..but he's the exception I grab both sides at once, to prevent wing flapping, and then either bring them into my chest or under an arm ..like football carryin' style ...and they settle right in and give me snuggles. Some birds will be distraught at any kind of handling and I have found that putting one hand over their back and kind of letting the weight of your hand settle on them ...they're less nervous. Of course, this is whilst you have their feet secure or on something they "feel" is secure ...like your other hand
Quote:yes, i noticed that too. I hold them up to my chest with one arm under them and the other one on there backs tomake them feel safe, others prefer to perch on my arm. they are tame so that works fine, some of them fall asleep
I gotta go with peeps. Half the time mine come over and want to be picked up. I'll just pick them up with my hands on their sides. Then kind of half pulling them into me, half support their body underneath with my left arm/hand. That leaves the right hand free for waddle scratching, chin rubbing, etc.