Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: retribution on January 16, 2011, 15:00

Title: Encouragement
Post by: retribution on January 16, 2011, 15:00

Is there anything that i can do or give the girls to not just run off whenever i go near them, only had them 1 week and i am sure they have not forgiven me for the trip to the vet yet. i know this may just take time for them to get used to me but was just wondering if there is anything i can do or give them to help.

Title: Re: Encouragement
Post by: PaulineM on January 16, 2011, 15:30

Hi
I have only had my girls from August so I'm not the most experienced.
It depends on their breeds and also their personalities.
My brown hens will come to anyone but my other five won't, a few of them will eat out of my hand though!
Sit down as low as you can get (so you don't look too threatening) stay still and quiet but have a few treats in your hand, try to encourage them to come close and then eventually you might be able to stroke them etc.
Good luck  :)

Title: Re: Encouragement
Post by: retribution on January 16, 2011, 16:29

thanks, they dont seem to mind a stroke once they are in there coop but just when they are running about

Title: Re: Encouragement
Post by: bantam novice on January 16, 2011, 17:10

If you give treats at the same time each day (the general advice seems to be about one hour before they go in to roost) and use the same container they will soon come running when they see you  :) 

If search through the topic threads there was one a little while ago about this.

Gooc Luck!

Title: Re: Encouragement
Post by: Bonniebean on January 16, 2011, 17:34

When I first got my girls I put an old plastic gardening stool in the run so I could sit down with a cup of tea. In time they got used to me being there and would peck my clothes/boots etc. In the afternoon when they get their mash with treats I tap the container as I come up the path and they rush to the door of the run to see what they are going to get. If they smell any grapes they will actually fly up to the dish in my hands! Now they are always under my feet!!!

Title: Re: Encouragement
Post by: jinty1911 on January 17, 2011, 17:07

Mealworms should help, although I havent really had that problem.  Mine only need to hear my voice or the kitchen light going on and they are at the back door shouting at me. Greedy girls  :D  :D

Title: Re: Encouragement
Post by: Debsie on January 17, 2011, 17:46

mine hear the kitchen door open and they start shouting, if they are out in the garden and see me with a bowl I get mobbed!!