taming your chickens

[Chicks Galore3]

LOL if only! I keep my feed down 24/7, (though I've started taking it up at night because of rodents.) I use scratch or BOSS for my tamer food.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

boss? i tried scratch before my chicken wouldnt eat it

 

[Sandstorm495]

It depends what is in your scratch feed. What do you use in it? BOSS stands for Black Oil Sunflower Seed.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

i really dont know what was in the scratch, it said scratch grains. i bought from tsc. i remember long things like brown rice looks but it was a seed. i only bought the one bag. BOSS is on sale now, i will pick some up and try it

 

[Granny Hatchet]

i really dont know what was in the scratch, it said scratch grains. i bought from tsc. i remember long things like brown rice looks but it was a seed. i only bought the one bag. BOSS is on sale now, i will pick some up and try it

with shells right?

 

[Sandstorm495]

i really dont know what was in the scratch, it said scratch grains. i bought from tsc. i remember long things like brown rice looks but it was a seed. i only bought the one bag. BOSS is on sale now, i will pick some up and try it

It's easy enough to make your own scratch. Will probably taste nicer as well.
http://peacefulvalleyfarm.wordpress...-easy-healthy-alternative-to-commercial-feed/

 

[Mac14]

I've noticed that if you slowly approach an animal with your side to them, they are less intimidated. I guess seeing the side of a person looks more relaxing to them, because they are looking at a smaller side of you and they think it is less likely that you will pick them up that way. I walk up to them sideways while I'm talking quietly to them and try not to move my hands. My chickens don't like to be picked up and are kind of skittish, but it helps them to not automatically freak out and keeps them calmer.

 

[casb]

I am very new to raising chickens but I have found meal worms work a treat. I have been hand feeding them to my chickens and hens for 3 days and everytime they see me now they run to the door to great me. They are climbing on my lap and all are much calmer around me now. I give them a scratch ad every day I am able to touch them more. Hope this helps.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

I've noticed that if you slowly approach an animal with your side to them, they are less intimidated. I guess seeing the side of a person looks more relaxing to them, because they are looking at a smaller side of you and they think it is less likely that you will pick them up that way. I walk up to them sideways while I'm talking quietly to them and try not to move my hands. My chickens don't like to be picked up and are kind of skittish, but it helps them to not automatically freak out and keeps them calmer.

oh mac, im afraid i am as big around as i am tall ! hahah

 

[JudithKerlin]

they do have to be caught, sometimes, before they can get used to being held and petted. I'd have to gently corner my hens and pick them up, hold them firmly but comfortably, cluck to them. the biggest factor seems to be time, imprinting on the (tiny) chicken brain that your lap is a safe usual place to be. Now both my older hens will hop up on a perch in the corner of the pen in the mornings, partly to avoid the rooster, but partly because they want me to give them a nice neck-feather preen!

seriously, just have them spend time in your lap and give them treats and preens-- no bird fails to enjoy having its face feathers scritched! and bear in mind that *only* lots and lots of time can imprint anything on a chicken brain. they are scared of EVERYTHING!