I have 9 chickens that are about 11 weeks old. They aren't exactly scared of me, but I want to tame them more than they already are.
I'd like to find out if what I'm doing is the right thing...of course, having 9 chickens, I know this will be a long process. Plus, I have a few questions at the end.
Each day, I'll pick up one or two of the most wild chickens and hold them for a few minutes fairly close to my face. I'll speak softly to them and pet them. Of course, I'll tell them the normal "mommy" things like "it's okay; I love you; I won't hurt you; etc.".
1. After about 3 or 4 minutes, each bird tries to squirm away. Should I let them get away so they don't start becoming afraid of me, or should I keep holding them for a longer period of time?
2. How long should I hold each bird?
3. How long should it take to tame a bird? The birds (bantams and silkies) will come up to me when I give them bugs to eat, but when I try to pick them up, it's a bit of a chase....especially with the Polish. Ugh!
4. At what point should I say, "hey, this bird is getting too stressed. I should let them go and try this again later"?
5. The most tame of this birds is what I believe is a rooster. Each time I try to pick it up, it's nips at me. Is there any way to stop this behavior?
I'd like to find out if what I'm doing is the right thing...of course, having 9 chickens, I know this will be a long process. Plus, I have a few questions at the end.
Each day, I'll pick up one or two of the most wild chickens and hold them for a few minutes fairly close to my face. I'll speak softly to them and pet them. Of course, I'll tell them the normal "mommy" things like "it's okay; I love you; I won't hurt you; etc.".
1. After about 3 or 4 minutes, each bird tries to squirm away. Should I let them get away so they don't start becoming afraid of me, or should I keep holding them for a longer period of time?
2. How long should I hold each bird?
3. How long should it take to tame a bird? The birds (bantams and silkies) will come up to me when I give them bugs to eat, but when I try to pick them up, it's a bit of a chase....especially with the Polish. Ugh!
4. At what point should I say, "hey, this bird is getting too stressed. I should let them go and try this again later"?
5. The most tame of this birds is what I believe is a rooster. Each time I try to pick it up, it's nips at me. Is there any way to stop this behavior?