[Ricco_T]

We have just taken delivery of two 9 week old Speckledys.  They are gradually getting accustomed to us by some handling each day and feeding with a few dried mealworm treats. Two questions I have is that they do not seem to eat much - is that normal?  Also, they take regular little 'kips' during the day - is this normal?  Otherwise they seem perky enough (peeping away as they scratch around and check out the garden.  They also now put themselves to bed in the coop.

[gracie]

Do your girls free range, guess they do if they are scratching the garden. If they do, as mine do they could possibly not eat much of their pellets. Dozing through the day is normal as long as they are active otherwise. it is lovely when they start putting themselves to bed. Mine have laid for the first time at 20 weeks old the other day and I find it incredible she knew to squat in the nest box to do it, especially as she never usually goes in there. Enjoy your chickens, we do

[Ricco_T]

Do your girls free range, guess they do if they are scratching the garden. If they do, as mine do they could possibly not eat much of their pellets. Dozing through the day is normal as long as they are active otherwise. it is lovely when they start putting themselves to bed. Mine have laid for the first time at 20 weeks old the other day and I find it incredible she knew to squat in the nest box to do it, especially as she never usually goes in there. Enjoy your chickens, we do

We have only had them since Wed. so they had their first free range session yesterday and another today. They haven't eaten much from the garden... and I noticed that they were going back into the run and eating some of their growers pellets.  I guess this is normal for smaller immature birds?  I also thought maybe the occasional daytime doze was because they were more tired since they were growing.

[Sassy]

If you are concerned they are not eating their growers, stop feeding anything else, including treats. They will not starve themselves. They could just be a bit upset at the move but will soon settle. I agree they may be feeding in your garden as well.

[leddenton]

I had the same problem when I first had my 9 week old girls and posted on here to be advised give no treats only growers until they had established a feeding routine. It did work they now eat when I leave them shut in their little run am and then let them out in the afternoon. Thay have grown really quickly so must be getting enough.

[Ricco_T]

Firstly... a big thank you to all the great replies.  I have an additional question - what is the best way to hold a chicken?  I am trying to handle the chooks as much as possible to get them settled with us. I pick them up gently (so as to not spook them) with my hands over their wings.  Then I move one hand down so that their breastbone is in the palm with my fingers between and gripping the legs.  Generally this seems OK.

[Lindeggs]

Ricco, that sounds like an excellent way to handle a chicken.  It sounds very much like the way a friendly vet advised me to hold them. 

When they are comfortable being held that way (and you are comfortable doing it) it allows you to free up one hand to administer medication, or check for lice and mites.

The main thing I have found is, whatever way you hold them, make sure you have a firm grip to minimise struggling and flapping.  I find a struggling, flapping hen will stress not only herself but any watching flock-mates, making them all harder to handle next time!

[Sassy]

Firstly... a big thank you to all the great replies.  I have an additional question - what is the best way to hold a chicken?  I am trying to handle the chooks as much as possible to get them settled with us. I pick them up gently (so as to not spook them) with my hands over their wings.  Then I move one hand down so that their breastbone is in the palm with my fingers between and gripping the legs.  Generally this seems OK.

Sounds good - ideally with the pooing end pointing away from you.