ways to hold/carry a chicken....

[Lynette]

I never understood why some people carry chickens upside down either. I think it is very mean and I would never carry mine like that. I gently pick mine up with both hands under their chest. I would definetely say something if I saw someone carrying them that way. I wouldn't be able to keep my mouth shut!

 

[Humble Homesteader]

I simply slip my hand under the breast bone between the front legs of the chicken from the front, putting 2 fingers on either side of the breast bone. This takes the feet out of the equation. The other hand cups over the wings just until I have her tucked in to me. They often never even move...

 

[tnchickenut]

Another BYCer (a local to me) added that he was told that a person grabbing them upside down like that was a sign of a "fighter" because it is the only way to hold a rooster like that without getting torn all apart.

I have never had a case where I would have to gather them that way... and I don't think I ever would. I'm pretty quick and accurate about grabbing a running chicken up with both hands and then putting them to my chest with my arm under their belly. The trick, as I tell my chicken helper who isn't nearly as good at it, is to put one hand out just in front of the chickens breast and being quick about the other hand just touching the back.... this will stop them for that millisecond that you will need to put your hands over it's wings to pick it up.

At least, that is how I do it everyday.

 

[noodleroo]

http://www.youtube.com/user/thehencam#p/u/0/ZJdkmgiUqs8
This was on another post and I think its great!

 

[silkydragon]

ive had to do it when getting hens at the auction because everytime i try to put them in the crate they would flip out flapping there wings and hurting themselves and beating me up a little lol but i dont carry them like that i grab them out of the cage with crate resting beside it and its all over in a matter of like 5seonds i feel this is better for the bird because not being able to breathe for a second is better then getting bruises and cuts