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Post by mikemurphy on Mar 2, 2009 6:49:42 GMT 8
Two ladies to whom I recently sold hens have commented that they are not very friendly. They want pets that run up to them when they go near and these tend to stay away. I'm starting to wonder if I am not friendly enough with my chooks. I don't beat them or anything, but because I let them out to free range in separate flocks and then put them back to let the others out, I do tend to be shooing them a lot to make them go where I want them to go. I also go in to their pens to catch them when I am selling them or culling them. Trying to think of what I can do to make them more relaxed and friendly, Maybe hand feed them more or spend time sitting in the pens with them? Perhaps separate them before I catch them so the others don't see me doing it?
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Post by lakelands on Mar 2, 2009 7:21:44 GMT 8
Hmmm tricky one. I let my chokkens free range too and do seem to always spend time chasing them around. However I do also spend a lot of time just sitting in the pens before I let them out. I always start off by shaking the food tin so the food rattles round and makes a noise. I also call chook chook chook so they know I am bringing food. then I sit down with the food at my feet and spread a bit on the ground around my feet. The chhoks always come up to me for a little visit some even fly up onto me knees to eat from mty hand. The little bubbas that hatch under mums are the most resistant to my charms but they do come around eventually. When I want to lock them up at night mostly they come when I call them by shaking the tin and calling chook chook chook. My visitors think it's hilarious watching the little guys come running. Of course there's alway one or two that I end up having to hunt down... Oh and I do my sorting at night when they are sleeping which causes less distress. I seperate the ones I am looking to sell/cull into small cages the night before so makes it much easier to catch them when prospective buyers turn up, Mike I hope this helps....
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Post by shea on Mar 2, 2009 7:54:59 GMT 8
Think I might try that Lakelands. Mine are very flighty. Even if I go and stand on the outside of the pen, they will move away, especially the ducks. Previous chooks have loved me because I'm the 'feeder'.
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Post by Duck Diva on Mar 2, 2009 8:14:32 GMT 8
Food Food Food! I reckon the way to a chooks or ducks heart is through its stomach Treat them everyday while sitting down and in a month or so, they will be alot better I expect. We have handraised, ducks and they still run away when we walk up to them!! But if we sit down, they come up and even try and get in our lap!! The other day 1 jumped on my lap then another!! Theyre still my babies The chickens were raised the same, just not by us, by my friend and her grandkids (as I was away) and they still run off when we go up to them, but if we sit down, theyre all over us. The new silkies dont come near us very often. They run away if we go too close. Im working on getting them tame with food treats and the kids have been snuggling.
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Post by beck on Mar 2, 2009 8:37:03 GMT 8
yep mike that's the trick i also seperate at night to avoid stress then they can't see who the nasty person is disturbing there sleep and the shaking of the tin is what i do too and everyone laughs at me too Carolyn nasty arn't they but i also hand feed from day old so when my hand goes in they think FOOD and come running over to check it out and i do this up until they are grown quite a few of my girls are very tolerant and we carry them around the yard and so do my cousins children when they come around these girls soon become the favourites and "sit or squat down when we go to pick them up poor things it looks even funnier than calling out chook chook chook i can tell you lol
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Post by mikemurphy on Mar 2, 2009 21:22:45 GMT 8
Sounds like some good advice there. I'll try it and let you know. Thanks.
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