Worried about being skittish when I get my first hen. Any advice?

[patandchickens]

Enh, I'd probably never been within 30 feet of a live chicken when I got my first chickens, certainly never held one; but we all survived. (I'd never held a baby, either, til my firstborn was put in my arms, and again, you know what, you figure it out pretty quick

)

You sound kind of like my sister though. She has never met the chickens, but with my cats she's always been exceedingly reluctant to pick them up, like they will break or detonate or transform into running chainsaws or something. She gets a funny expression on her face and tries to pick them up without actually exerting any pressure on them nor touching them firmly. Needless to say the results are a bit amusing, with cat pouring back out onto the floor all over the place

But you know what, she has gradually learned over the years (mind, she only sees my cats briefly a couple times a year, we live about 10 hrs apart) that you CAN hold them firmly to pick them up, and if she HAS to pick one up, she can perfectly well do it.

And that's with very little total practice over the years. And less incentive (she is not really a cat person).

So I am really pretty sure that even if you start out like my sister -- and she really does kind of define one end of the comfort-with-animals scale

, I doubt you're really there yourself -- you WILL pretty quickly figure it out

I recommend that you practice on them when they are well asleep on the roost after dark. Wear a headlamp. Go in there, pick them up and say hi. You'll get the hang of it

Have fun,

Pat

 

[Chicken Fruit]

Wow... either get over yourself or dont get chickens. Thats harsh but seriously.. come on now. If you're afraid of getting poked or scratched chickens probably arent a good idea. Animals in general cause some sort of damage to their care takers along the way simply because theyre animals. Its nothing personal- they just have beaks and talons naturally, and theyre naturally flighty in certain situations- or for no reason at all.

Go visit someone with chickens and see how you feel about them on your hand or arm and eating out of your hand, and trying to taste the rolls of your palm.

If you're going to freak out and jerk and half-heartly grab at chickens you'll make them flighty and in some cases even mean because to them its a bad experience being had.

Maybe you should consider batams too.. theyre smaller and easier to deal with than a full sized standard chicken.

Good luck to ya! If you just get over yourself you'll be fine

Edit: I say that for your sake, not the chickens. They'll survive almost any kind of care, but you dont want to be stuck with chickens you're miserable around.

 

[bluie]

The first time we had chickens (didn't last long, we had them 6 days and the 'coons got them) we found out that they liked canned chickpeas. I guess chickpeas look kind of similar to toes, and we couldn't go outside with sandals on 'cause they pecked our toes. Our new chickens (one year in July, no 'coon losses-thanks BYC) don't eat chickpeas. We hand feed them other stuff and they have very good aim and easily distinguish between fingers (and toes) and food.

 

[CityChook]

When I got my chicks last year, I had never even been around a chicken before, let alone actually held one. At first I was sort of weird about their feet -- I didn't like their nails and creepy dino toes -- but they grow on you very fast. I hug mine daily. And they love me back. Just go slow and you'll get used to it. Give them lots of treats by hand. They are surprisingly docile and affectionate creatures. And their feathers are soft and lovely. Have fun!

 

[applefalls]

Don't feel bad about your reservations. Lots of people who get chickens are 'newbies' and feel the same way as you do.

Going to visit other people's chicken may not help you feel better though. It is like holding other people's babies: you still might feel super-nervous. You would be a stranger to those chickens and things might not go as well as you like. Don't give up, though! Just like with human babies, once you hold your own and know that you are the person responsible for caring for this young life, you will most likely feel totally different.

As others have posted, once you have your own chicks and grow with them, you and the chickens will be comfortable with each other -- comfortable enough for you to hold them as needed, or hug them daily if you want!

 

[cmom]

Before I got my chickens I had never handled them. I had my first chickens over 40 years ago. I had 50 Leghorns. They were flighty birds so I never handled them. MY DSO at the time mostly took care of them. Also I have family members who have had chickens too. Now I have Rhode Island Reds. I do handle them to check them out. Sometimes it's weekly and sometimes it's not.

 

[emilyweck]

I LOVE that you actually thought of this before getting them. My hubby and I decided we would get chickens (8-15 weeks old). I was sooo excited as was he, then he left for Alaska to go work for 3 months and here I was....Just me and the chickens I bought, the first 2 were 12 weeks at the time I got them)

Never have I even touched a live chicken. I get home and bring the box to the coop and then it hit me. What in Sam's Hill should I do. It's all mental and you just need to get over the issue. Think of it like picking up a cat. Grab the sides (wings) so they can't flap and they'll be fine.

Depending on their age, they may just want to hang on your arm or cuddle next to your tummy. I have no problem with it now and it's only been 3-4 weeks. You'll be a pro in no time. Congrats on your new endeavor.

 

[Carolyn252]

Quote:
THANK YOU! I so appreciate the kindness and the empathy and the cheerful encouragement in your reply. Most of the posters replied to my original posting with similar pleasant encouragement; the harsh ones ruffled my feathers. [ahem] Grrrrr. Some people!!!!
Anyway... I found someone in the next town over who has backyard chickens and I'm gonna go "practice" there two weeks from now. Want to keep working on the construction here until it's done. If I can figure out how to post a photo, you can see how far we've gotten in just five days of working on it. (Those five days include all the endless hours at Home Depot, selecting, shlepping and then loading all the lumber into DH's tiny sports car. ) Then we come home, unload and nap for five hours!

 

[OrpingtonManor]

Nice work you two! I especially like the naps.

I use that strategy myself!

Don't get ruffled by the people who seem a little rougher than most. It would be better if they didn't post if they can't encourage you. But, in truth, they thought they were giving you good advice.

Most of us would just dive in without too much thought, but you are clearly a planner and thinker. We'll be waiting for more coop pics,

though you might want to start a new thread under Coop Construction.

Good luck!