Socializing (intimacy) with chickens -- how to?

[aart]

A local chick/hen tender friend says she cuddles her chicks and hens. She's been at it a while, while i'm new (almost 2 months) to this whole complex busyness. Only one of my hens will let me pet her, and only very briefly, while the rest and chicks will back off or peck my hand if I get too close. I'm good to them generally and maybe it just takes time to build trust. I'm also trying not to move brusquely (abruptly) around them. Still, maybe I'm just too busy, so intimidating, in the coop and run and not calm gentle enough to get intimate. Or might it be something else? Thanks, Nick

Well, I've held them when transfering them, but that's hardly cuddling, tho I did handle them gently. Otherwise I just pet them, periodically. Will try communing deeper when I get home. Roadtrippin Nick

PS after edit No, I dont think I've ever observed my chicks or hens being cuddled. ...my partner just confirmed, as well as she can, only held when moving them. It's not that we dont love them, just from afar so far

Was referring to a statement in your OP ;-)

Nothing wrong with not cuddling your chickens....but if you want to cuddle them, just actually pick them up and hold them a lot and they might come to enjoy it.

 

[Larry in Hawaii]

We tried holding our hens as much as we could when they were young....not all of them liked it then nor now. I am the chicken feeder in the family and before they get fed, I talk with them about what their day will be or has been, who they aren't getting along with etc. You would be surprised at what you will learn when you listen. Regular feeding is done with a with a large scoop that I hold in front of who ever wants to eat that way...I let them eat a bit and put the rest in their feeder. Same with kitchen treats... Not all want to be petted or held, but when I stand by a roost the girls that want petted with jump up and walk over to me...different one each day it seems

 

[amiachicknorwat]

Hmm, I'd have to do that without chasing them down, so would have to sit with them a bit. That i dont mind doing. But having just got home, so much too due will see when have the time to sit down. shrug

 

[Larry in Hawaii]

I do the talking with the "girls" when I feed them morning and evening and their afternoon snack of kitchen scraps. My girls are 18 weeks and I received my fist little egg from someone today....I'm sure they will have lots to talk about in the morning

 

[amiachicknorwat]

"I do all the talking" -- LOL and they do all the sqwalking. Whatever it means, it might come in clearer to us non-chickens once we get the hang of chicken care. Then we're finally heeding what they were sqwalking about all along and can finally commune in silence, or with those smaller obviously satisfied sounds they make at times

 

[Lady of McCamley]

While I think it is important to always treat your birds with respect and never be gruff, as it makes for calmer birds and easier catching the next time you need to move them, a chicken will not feel slighted if all you do is give it feed and water, warm coop, and let it be a chicken. They are not typically affectionate pets like a cat or dog. I've had some attentive birds, and one or two that were especially friendly...but let's face it...they are bird brains...while most have personality, few have personality plus. Most are not at the interactive level much beyond conditioned behavior in response to food treats.

I've carefully handled and treated broods, then had them pretty much go wild again when placed in the coop. I've had broody raised chicks that were very stand-offish even fearful of human interaction (got busy and didn't interact a lot with them), come around and be attentive after habitual treat bucket episodes.

I do talk to my birds, making chicken noises, while I treat them, and listen to their responses. It does help me get a feel for their overall mental attitude and health in the flock....but they will not interact with you, typically, like a dog or cat. Only one or two will do that...and those will become pets until old age takes them away...the others, will come and go as needed in whatever way you choose to re-home or dispose.

So if you enjoy petting and coddling, do so, as long as the bird also seems to appreciate it. However, many will likely prefer to be left to scratch in the dirt and come running when you offer treats.To them, that is bird heaven already.

LofMc

 

[Larry in Hawaii]

I think the more time I spend with my roo and my 18 hens to more it makes me smile and sometimes laugh out loud. Yesterday and last night we received allot of rain (something we do not get much of here in the desert area) and I sure heard about how the roof of their run leaks...remember, it's mostly dry here. Last night after they went to bed I brought in a new bag of black sun flower seeds and placed in the snack metal trash can. Well this morning they were all hanging around that bin...not where their food is kept. They wanted their treats first this morning.

The coop and run is located over a 15 foot lower area from our deck, and our dogs will set, watch and listen to the girls talk all day. It's true they are not like dogs and cats. but they are special in their own way. I have received three "fart" eggs this week, so let the fun start!

 

[amiachicknorwat]

Larry, that's exactly why I'm cutting down on my egg intake. I'd rather give them away to friends. ...This reminded me to look in the fridge and I see a build up. Problem is too many folks around here got chickens too. Luckily I have friends who don't. We got one roo, 9 hens and 8 pullets. Well so far only one has declared roo status. One other looks to be a maybe. Tho the only for sure sign is a cockle-doodle-doo. The other looks and acts like the established roo, for the most part. Maybe some just aren't so outspoken...at first. They're both the same age.

We grew lotsa sunflowers this summer and decided to keep them for feed later in fall or winter. They keep well and we're not in Hawaii. I know the islands have dry and wet sides just as any mountain does, but didn't think the dry side of any Hawaiian island was markedly dry? We had a drought thru most of the summer, but rains have set in the last 2 weeks here in the Canadian Rockies. And yeah, keeping chickens is a lotta fun.

On other hand, cutting down on egg build up can be fun too. Been enjoying making taters'n maters with eggs & other forms of scramblettes since I'm no good at omelettes ....uh, not even sure I can spell it. Just spend the next few hours in the great outdoors