Terrified Hens

[KatsPlace]

I have 2 hens who are terrified every time I collect eggs or anytime I go into their ground coop. It has a lot of hiding spots but they panic and tried of fight their way out. One chipped her beak because of it.
Will they ever calm down enough to lay eggs or should I just cull?
One is 3 months old from my original flock.
One hen is newly bought.

 

[CluckerFamily]

Some chickens react in different ways. Some even react odd to clothing or boots.
When you go in to collect or feed, you may want to sit on a log within the run so that they get use to you.

 

[Nabiki]

If you're collecting the eggs every day, they should calm down. If you can, spend some time just hanging around their pen. If you start coming out with treats, they'll get over their fear even faster.

If they still don't calm down, I would probably cull because I want calm quail for breeding.

 

[VeggieBobGirl]

I agree with @Nabiki about giving them treats. Hand-feeding them treats can be helpful. We've hand-fed treats to our quail and now whenever we enter their coop they come up close to us, thinking maybe we came to give them goodies instead of instinctively thinking that we are a danger to them.

I hope your hens will calm down easily.

 

[Nabiki]

Even if you don't hand feed them, if they associate you with the arrival of treats they should calm down.

 

[Peristeria]

I have 2 hens who are terrified every time I collect eggs or anytime I go into their ground coop. It has a lot of hiding spots but they panic and tried of fight their way out. One chipped her beak because of it.
Will they ever calm down enough to lay eggs or should I just cull?
One is 3 months old from my original flock.
One hen is newly bought.

I lure mine out of their den with boiled eggs when it is laying season. When they are all gathered/distracted by the plate I walk around back and get their eggs out. It may take some time to get used to you but they will warm up eventually.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Mine are in stackers and I make sure my hands are below back level with them. Usually keeps them a bit calmer

 

[NY Coturnix]

Do you make some noise or do they see you coming? Try talking to them as you approach the pen so they know it's you entering.

 

[Peristeria]

Do you make some noise or do they see you coming? Try talking to them as you approach the pen so they know it's you entering.

Mine are in a cage (right now, moving to the ground soon) but I whistle as I approach and they can flee where they wish but they know I am coming. I also whistle a different way when I am bringing food out and they rush out to get to the eggs.

 

[SulkyBantam]

CULL them because they are frightened of you?!

Ignore my outburst, yes they should get used to you.