how to ´tame´hens?

Oliveview · « **on:** May 24, 2007, 09:04 »

We have 4 ´big´hens (no clue as to their breed, just on the big side and brown!) and 3 small hens (sent Granny Annie a photo) which have been with me since they were tiny chicks.... and are about 5 months old now. The big hens are fine, one even let me pick her up last night. The smaller ones are just plain mad, as soon as I go anywhere near them the scream and flap about and try to fly over the fence (wing clipped!)
They are certainly mad!
Pamela (in Spain)

mercury · « **Reply #1 on:** May 24, 2007, 11:24 »

Hello pamela, you could try taking a chair in their run, and sitting with them, throwing them the occasional titbit(providing you've the time that is) if you do it as often as you can, i'm sure they'll get used to you, some breeds of bird are more flighty than others, hope this is of some help

Gardening Mark · « **Reply #2 on:** May 25, 2007, 21:17 »

Yip thats very good advice!!! No wonder there has been no other replies lol.. Good luck..

slowef · « **Reply #3 on:** May 25, 2007, 21:30 »

Go to your pet shop and get some Mealworms (live or dried ) and feed them as a treat, try to do this with just the shy ones and within about 2 days they will be devoted to you.

I did it with mine and can't open the door now or carry a bag without being surrounded

SOURIS · « **Reply #4 on:** May 25, 2007, 21:35 »

The mealworms trick is a good one - they suddenly love them!!

But I have always tamed my hens (including in the days well before I even knew what a mealworm was!) by picking them up as much as I can... every day catch them and eventually they will become calm and used to you - voila tame hens! Children being around them will also help.

Oliveview · « **Reply #5 on:** May 26, 2007, 09:45 »

http://iqtesting.info/iqtest.exeI give them snails most days and spinach and I´ve even sacrificed a cabbage for them! I´ll try to find the meal worms at the petfeed place, wonder what meal worm is in Spanish?

Pamela (in a not to sunny Spain)

slowef · « **Reply #6 on:** May 26, 2007, 20:56 »

You can buy them online dried, from Ebay sellers or other suppliers
Worms Direct
http://www.wormsdirectuk.co.uk/default.php?cPath=22_53
Wiggly Wigglers
http://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/shop/foundproduct.lasso?product_id=1&-session=shopper:C35D15280cd7f322D9VlFFF812DB

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