The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: spikey_fridge on October 02, 2010, 04:08:56 pm

Title: how do you stroke a chicken?
Post by: spikey_fridge on October 02, 2010, 04:08:56 pm
bit of a daft question i know but two of mine are now coming right up to me within touching reach and i have been stroking them from head down their backs.
what made me wonder was the dog likes her ears rubbed and the sheep like their chins tickled.
i have managed to pick a hen up occasionally but i normally leave them to themselves.
i have a large black rock cross with an elephant who is kind of intimidating but even she is becoming friendly.
its all going swimmingly round ours with regular layers and friendly chooks
Title: Re: how do you stroke a chicken?
Post by: HappyHippy on October 02, 2010, 04:54:24 pm
Just keep doing what you're doing  ;D
Offer corn from your hand, keep stroking them and eventually you'll find you can pick them up and sit them on your lap. We've got a wee warren who rushes to get out the run so she can sit on my daughter's lap and get spoilt ! They're not daft, BUT they are very food orientated lol!
I had always thought of chickens as egg machines til I got mine and started to see the personalities - it's very rewarding keeping them  ;) ;D
Title: Re: how do you stroke a chicken?
Post by: northfifeduckling on October 03, 2010, 10:23:29 am
if they are not very tame I lift them out of their nesting box, sit them on my leg and cover the head gently with my jacket...this way they can get used to touch without being spooked by what they see at night. I don't think they enjoy cuddles but can get used to touch  well enough;D :chook: :&>
Title: Re: how do you stroke a chicken?
Post by: plumseverywhere on October 05, 2010, 02:46:40 pm
one of my bluebells likes a cuddle and she likes to have the side of her neck stroked - she closes her eyes, leans into my hand and says "kar kar" while I do it. that might mean "gerrof" in chicken language but I don't think so  :)
Title: Re: how do you stroke a chicken?
Post by: bloomer on October 05, 2010, 03:34:31 pm
my new best friend buffy the buff o is a cuddle tart, she all but demands it

she likes being stroked and coo's loads whilst its happening when you put her down she squwarks quite angrilly!!!

most of the others are happy to be handled but only my friend buffy really seems to enjoy it!!!
Title: Re: how do you stroke a chicken?
Post by: northfifeduckling on October 05, 2010, 06:21:45 pm
That's nice! I'll keep going, hopefully the youngsters will learn to like it ;D