[RICH_Chicken]

Hello all,

I've had my new hens about 3 weeks now, they have started running to me when info to gate etc an coming to sit near me when I'm in pen! However I've been up today to sort them as usual and they are all running away from me flying around being really skittish the allotment is shared with a friend but that's the only other person who can see them! It's it me being silly or can they get frightened or scared can someone/thing spook them? To make them like this, I thought they were coming in fine until today now they can't run away quick enough? Any ideas

Rich_chicken

[Chrysalis]

Don't despair!  Hens are really dim and get spooked easily.
  Have you tried bribing them with greens or a handful of corn?  Just being calm and steady will help. 
 If there's a lot of wind and things flapping about (such as plastic sheeting?) they'll get really silly....

I'm sure they're just growing up and that you'll have a lot of fun with them....

[RICH_Chicken]

Thanks

[ehs284]

You'll find that they also respond to changes in atmospheric pressure so when the "low" of the last few days appeared they would become excitable. It isn't just chooks which do this - ask any teacher of children.

[splash101]

my first chickens were like that.
I once walked by their pen with a cardboard box in my hand. The racket they made you would have thought i had the chopper in my hand.
ehs- i use to work in a school and we used to dread windy days, my horse and dog used to play up on windy days too.

[ANHBUC]

They sometimes don't like different colours so if you have a different coat on that could explain it.  Best to move slowly and talk calmly to them each time you approach them.  This way they will recognise you even if you are wearing something different.

[Mrs Bee]

You'll find that they also respond to changes in atmospheric pressure so when the "low" of the last few days appeared they would become excitable. It isn't just chooks which do this - ask any teacher of children.

OH. yes. I dreaded windy and wet days. The kids were all over the place.