What does a chicken consider a treat??

[andiek]

Thanks guys, thats given me heaps of ideas to go with - the rule is that there are no rules - except not too much cheese

Biddieacres i don't know how old any of these chickens are cos a guy up the road gave them to us about a month ago. but i can tell you that none of us have touched any of them, they run away, but just an hour ago when we were putting them to bed (and collected two eggs) my 9 year old daughter reached in with both arms and stroked and held her and she didn't bat an eyelid. she just sat there as quiet and calm as can be. usually they sqwark and carry on when we lift the lid of the hatch. yesterday i saw her off the nest for a wee while for a scratch with her mates but i don't think she's budged today. i think she's o.k but i'll take food to her tomorrow.

the person whose chicken loves her/him - thats really awesome. you must have some good grub at your place. i'd like to strike up a 'relationship' like that with our chickadees. i suppose sitting with them with treats (as someone mentioned) is the way to go with that. why shouldn't she like you if you're good to her? alot of animals develop loyalties to people that look after them don't they.

thanks for all the comments and information!!

love this website.

 

[Biddieacres]

also, I would stay away from anything with sugar in it. The yogurt should be Plain yogurt. Here is a link to a great treat chart from this forum which helped me out a lot.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-Treats_Chart

It does take time for chickens to warm up since they are a prey animal. A caring hand coming at them could seem like a hawk to them if they aren't used to you yet. In time they will know who is bringing them their grains and who loves them and soon you could be considered part of their flock. It just takes time.

Nightime is a good time to spend time with them just like your daughter did. Once they are on their perch for the night they tend to stay there and you can spend some quality time giving them a little pet. Thats what I do.

 

[pixiechic]

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Yep, chickens get really mellow around sunset. Even if they haven't quite all settled down yet, I can go into the coop around dusk-thirty and pet my skittish girls with no problem, and even pick up my roosters without much of a struggle.

 

[ChickPeas]

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What in the world is a banana spider? I think I'm afraid to know actually....

 

[Ugly Cowboy]

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What in the world is a banana spider? I think I'm afraid to know actually....

Aint them those deadly spiders that hide in bananas?

 

[4littlehens]

banana spiders are huge harmless spiders that live down south during the summer. Here's a picture:

http://www.shadygrovetrainingcenter.com/Wildlife/bannana_spider_photo_gallery.htm

 

[Cetawin]

treat for my girls = anything they can get their beaks on that I have.

But their favorite treats...steamed brown rice, leftover pasta, grapes, garden veggies, boiled eggs, applesauce, & yogurt

 

[me&thegals]

Watermelon rinds! Any seeds--squash, sunflower, yogurt, whey (left from making cheese) and eggshells.

 

[Fudgie]

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Did you hatch her? I heard that they bond with whoever they see first. However I have a buff cochin that LOVES ME! She flies to my hand and perches there when I walk into the barn lot. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. At least no matter what SOMEONE loves ME!!!!