They are NOT being nice to me!

[bawkbawkbawk]

Great input here. Thanks.

My EE really likes to be close to me, and she is the most willing to be held. Other than the Delaware, all three eventually settle down when I hold them and I usually take them on a little "walkabout" through the house to surprise other family members and then reward them with a special treat (the chickens, not the family members

) If I sit down near them, the Light Brahma will reliably jump up into my lap if I have a handful of scratch. Maybe they're just little mercenaries...

I guess I've persisted in trying to hold them because I thought if I didn't they would just become less and less tame. Maybe it doesn't matter that much. They definitely identify me as their caretaker and my husband a bit less so. They really like our dogs, but want nothing to do with the cats, understandably. They are very wary of other human visitors until they see treats being offered. Maybe that's as good as it gets.

But I'll hope for a little more love from them once they start laying, as some have described.

 

[aimeeinwv]

Mine are the same, they have been babied and babied. We held them and hand fed them the whole bit. I can hold them and pet them still as long as I am sitting on the ground or in a chair. They just don't like being picked up by the big tall giant I guess. Mine also follow me and act loving. The neighbors find it hysterical. No matter where they are.. I can clap my hands and holler "com' on girls!" and they all come running. One used to try to climb up me when she was smaller.. even flog my front door wanting us to come out.. now she acts like I am pulling out her feathers if I reach down to get her. Try sitting with them?

 

[aimeeinwv]

Oh, by the way.. my SPAZZ DOTS (SLW) will not now, ever or ever ever ever ever be held by anyone, anywhere, anytime. They have been that way since day 1 of life. They are spazzes!

 

[Katy_didnot]

Mine used to fly into my lap when they were little, and I had a BO runt who only wanted to be held. Then they wouldn't come anywhere near me. Now, at 22 weks, My RIR's are becoming much more willing to be touched, if not picked up. My BO runt is as big as her sisters, and my other BO is living up to her name. Greta Garbo "wants to be left alone"!

 

[Foxhound lady]

Depends on the chicken, what age, who they are with, and ?????? whatever they are thinking at the time

Mine went through periods. Handled everyday as babies when they first went outside they would follow me around and hop in laps. At about 12-18 weeks we went through the terrible teens they were spastic little things didnt want to be touched, held, looked at.

After that period we went through the being held and getting treats (the only way they could get treats). Now we can handle everyone again, they mill around your feet, and follow you like dogs.

As for the pecking they are not allowed to do that, if one tries the offender gets pushed back and told no and gets no treats.

 

[dlfridie]

I know exactly where you're coming from. All this sounds exactly like what I went through with my pet chickens.
Once my hand-fed pampered hens started laying eggs they became aggressive.
They were rushing, pecking, squawking, and trying to dominate me. This must be what they're wired to do to protect their eggs.
It became more frustrating when I saw that video clip of a wild flock of friendly chickens.
Those chickens were hopping up on a man's arm and coming to him when called them by name. I felt I could get a little bit of that tameness from my hens if I worked at it. Ofcourse, I consulted the BYC forum for advice.

This is how I managed to turn things BACK around with the hens; when I went in the kennel I threw some clover, leaves, grass, lettuce, corn or whatever's handy in the kennel. This gave them something to focus on for a couple of seconds.
Twice per day, grabbed them and turned them on their backside, this makes them go into a calm state. Then hold for a few seconds and release them and scratch the backs of their necks. Kinda like the Dog Whisperer makes a dog submit.
Also, I took a 2"x4"x30" piece of wood in the run with me, when they rushed me I gently "let them have it". Something like a "spanking".
I would never hurt them, but they got the message and they don't rush/peck me anymore.
We get along wonderfully now, and I find them quite smart in a chicken sort of way.
They learn very fast.
I can pull the dog crate(my tractor) up to the kennel door and they practically mosey in on their own. This happened only on the 2nd time they had to go in the crate! They know going in the tractor means grazing in the grass.
When I change the water they hang out around me, and wait for me to move something so they can find a hiding bug. They're really cool chickens and we enjoy each other's company now. I guess a little positive association mixed with a little discipline payed off.

Hang in there and keep us posted on their progress!

PS> Your coop is tres chic

 

[ochicks]

I have three pullets. Whenever I'm in the run and squat down or bend over the PBR hops on my back and walks up my to get on my shoulder. Then the BO has to follow suit. The PR is usually the last one that has to join them. As a child we always had about 40 hens plus the ones we bought for butchering and I always thought they were the stupidest animals on the farm. I never thought I would love them. Also my daughter has trained the BO to perch on her arm when she snaps her fingers.

 

[goldielocks]

None of my girls like being picked up, but if i sit down on the ground most of them will come sit on me. I also come with treats for them each day. They really love me know. I do think there might be some bantam breeds that are more pet like. Im not sure. I also think that its just not normal for them to be held, if you know what i mean. I want mine to be like a cat or dog and they are just not made that way.

 

[bawkbawkbawk]

dlfridie thanks for sharing your "method". Re the pecking, I have a 12-year-old cockatiel who spends a lot of time on my shoulder and pecks at my earrings/necklaces/facial blemishes/hair OWWWWW!!!! I always give him a tiny little cockatiel-sized smack upside the head as a (momentary) deterrent and instinctively did this to my Delaware the other day when she pecked me hard on the back. I hope it works - she hasn't done it since.

I would never hurt them, but I do want to discourage random pecking. It hurts!