They are NOT being nice to me!

[cwhit590]

Out of my 22 birds, only 2 don't mind being picked up. One is my broody BO, and the other is my Blue Andalusian. The Blue Andalusian is very tame.

All the others don't like to be touched or picked up. They will run up to me for treats and brush up against my legs and mob me and all...but if the evil hands come near them they freak!

Whatever....

I would try using treats. Sit down and have them come to you and hop on your lap for their fav treats instead of you trying to go after them.

 

[AHappychick]

get yourself a silkie they love to be held, or do you have any roos? my roos are far more personable and enjoy being held over my hens, except my lav silkie she loves any attention she can get.

Often they may protest when you pick them up but once pet and held they calm down. Alabaster always runs when I go to get him but once he is in my arms you can see he enjoys the attention.

 

[cwhit590]

Oh...another thing....

After you pick your birds up and hold them awhile, instead of just setting them back down, try letting them perch on your arm and let them fly down on their own when they feel ready. Some might just hang out there and realize that you aren't as bad as they thought...

This has worked with some of my less friendly hens...kinda surprised me at first...

 

[Bonnie148]

I think a lot has to do with them feeling the ground go out from underneath them, and being raised up into the air; they're afraid they are going to fall, or be dropped, so they flap and squawk in protest. How would we feel on an open elevator at warp speed going up? I have only one of 17 that is OK with being picked up, and trusts me not to drop her, and she was one that was sick and got a lot of TLC.
Bonnie 148

 

[Tala]

The Redstar I can pet or pick up, and RIR I can pet, but the Leghorns are too flightly. Two will take treats from me but one is a total scaredy cat. She escaped a lot and therefore had to be caught a lot, that's probably the reason for her issues.

I think the picking up thing might have to do a lot with feeling like they are "falling" or something. I don't think chickens have the thought processes enough to think "she won't drop me" I mean mine aren't even afraid of the lawnmower coming straight at them. They're smarter than most people give them credit for, but still not THAT smart.

 

[shaggy]

my silkies are the most skittish and run away from me often

my others ... i just leave them alone and pet their backs as they walk by .... once i got rid of my rooster a few days ago ... they started jumping up in my lap ..... i thought it was odd

 

[DIMBY]

Most of mine wouldn't let me come near them at all from about 10 weeks to 20 weeks -- until they started laying eggs. Now, they want their backs rubbed ALL the time and two of them seem to beg me to pick them up. I have two that aren't laying yet - the trouble twins - and they won't let me within five feet of them. We'll see when the eggs start coming!

 

[LarryPQ]

Quote:
Mine too. Teenager stage maybe?

 

[Ladyhawke1]

I know two things: ( only two???)

One: Chickens are like any other animals and you should consider their space before you consider yours. I hold them when they “want” to be held, and leave them be when they are not in the mood….just like my cats.

In the mornings, the chickens hop up on the pen and they let me give them kisses and hugs (Yuk!) but I never restrain them. When they “wait” for more hugs, I give them more tickles. Then they go on their way. THEY make the choice.

Number two: Remember these birds are maturing and there may be “hot” areas that they may not feel like being too touchy feely at the moment. Remember there may be an egg coming somewhere down the chutes and you should be careful handling them. I feel a lot of egg binding is from careless or ruff handling of these birds. I feel one could easily “break” an advanced egg inside the bird. By the bird’s own nature they maybe avoiding contact until they feel more normal.

 

[NateinFL]

I don't insist on holding my chickens. Even if they know you arent going to eat them, many just dont want to be snuggled with, except for in the evenings or when everything is calm. I watch their behavior closely and they rarely snuggle or get close except for during these times. Theres a difference between not wanting to be held and being afraid of you. Most chickens naturally want to be independent and I dont get my feelings hurt if they dont wantto be held

. Now if the chicken is running wildly to get as far away from you as possible, then you've got chicken with a bad personality and one that probably shouldnt be kept around to pass along those flighty genes. That's just my opinion

.