TheFugitivePen
Songster
I have a hen who has always hated being touched or handled. She's not mean (doesn't peck), but she flaps, struggles, and screams if she's ever handled. While the rest of the flock certainly is not snuggly, they are patient and tolerate medical checks, and, sometimes, they will squat for pets.
For the most part, I just let this hen be. I don't want to stress her out. I named her "Drama" for a reason, and she very much lives up to her name. She has been handled since she hatched, but she's just always hated being touched. She does take treats from our hands, so I know there is some trust, but she's the hardest bird to handle.
She's currently in "broody jail," so I did a quick check today. I noticed a small black dot on the bottom of each foot. I need to examine her more closely for bumblefoot and potentially treat it before it becomes problematic. However, before I could get a better look, she freaked out (of course). If she does have bumblefoot, I'll need to handle her to treat it, and I anticipate that being a massive struggle due to her hatred of being held.
How do you better handle, treat, and examine chickens who hate human contact?
I know to take her off the roost at night instead of chasing her around the yard, but are there any other tips for handling, examining, or treating a chicken once you have her off the roost?
For the most part, I just let this hen be. I don't want to stress her out. I named her "Drama" for a reason, and she very much lives up to her name. She has been handled since she hatched, but she's just always hated being touched. She does take treats from our hands, so I know there is some trust, but she's the hardest bird to handle.
She's currently in "broody jail," so I did a quick check today. I noticed a small black dot on the bottom of each foot. I need to examine her more closely for bumblefoot and potentially treat it before it becomes problematic. However, before I could get a better look, she freaked out (of course). If she does have bumblefoot, I'll need to handle her to treat it, and I anticipate that being a massive struggle due to her hatred of being held.
How do you better handle, treat, and examine chickens who hate human contact?
I know to take her off the roost at night instead of chasing her around the yard, but are there any other tips for handling, examining, or treating a chicken once you have her off the roost?