To hold or wait

[Rick589]

I have 6 Buffs, 2 are roosters. All are about 4 months old. When they were chicks they were handled daily and often. Once moved to the coop at about 8 weeks they became unwilling to be handled. So, my question is: should we allow them to come to us or, ‘force’ the issue my actively picking them up ‘against their will’ so to speak?

 

[Debbie292d]

We've had that happen and I've just got them warmed back up to me by hand feeding them scrambled eggs or mash made out of their crumbles. Doing that for a few days at least gets them back to trusting us.

If I've had to catch one to check its butt or something, I just grab it best I can without causing a scene, and then take it away from the rest quickly so they don't hear it screaming. Then I hold it close to me and talk to it. That calms it right down.

Another idea is get them out of their coop when they're sleeping and bring them in the house. Sit them on your lap with a paper towel, while you watch TV or sitting at a desk. I do one every few nights like that for about an hour or two. It sure tames them down.

 

[Rick589]

Thank You for the reply. I wouldn’t say they’re unfriendly and they do readily come to us for treats but they just don’t seem willing to be held anymore. Of course, when in the coop the snatch and hold approach is easier to accomplish, and once held they do calm down. My understanding is that these Orpingtons are as a breed very friendly and pet like so I’m questioning whether we’ve approached this new flock incorrectly and caused this resistance in them somehow.

 

[RubelliteRose]

If they are coming to you for treats, you have done nothing wrong I have noticed that chickens tend to be somewhat skittish as teenagers. They should become more friendly as they start to lay eggs. Also, chickens are able to read humans very well. Even my friendliest girls, who come running to me for snuggles can sense when I need to pick them up for health reasons (weighing for deworming, bumblefoot checks...) and will run away from me. Usually I try to lure them in with a handful of food and grab them, but if I have to chase them, they quickly forgive me and want to hop on my lap as soon as I am done with everyone.