[New Hampshire lover]

I purchased my new chooks yesterday and they hate being handled. I've managed to calm two of them down but the other three just won't have it. I also don't think that they're getting enough feed. Has anyone got any advice!!
Thanks!! :cry:

[babe]

layers pellets ad lib, and it can take a couple of weeks for them to settle.

meal worms may help.... they like sweeties  

[New Hampshire lover]

This may sound silly but what are "ad lib"

[babe]

ad lib.... basically fill up their feeder/s and let them help themselves as and when they want to.

[New Hampshire lover]

thanks

[Porffor]

mine have been making a mess of their layers, i have it in a dog carrier as a 'shelter' and they've covered the bottom of the carrier in food!

hope your's settle soon. I have found my girls have no idea of any other food type than layers.. guess it'll take time.

One of mine had a noisy morning too think they were asking to come out and play..

I have been catching them a few times a day just to be handled, so they get used to be being caught, not sure if this is wise if they are stressed though, mine aren't too bad.

Good luck, hope they settle soon.

[Foxy]

congratulations!!! You are now offically a chook keeper    
Dont worry if you only got them yesturday will take a while for them to settle down. Try not to stress them by moving quickly or trying to grab them. Offer them a little bread or mixed corn by hand to get them used to you....wont be long before they are eating out of your hand!

[Porffor]

will follow this advice too

[jammy]

I found when i got mine originally that a good time to handle them and get them used to me was just after they had gone to bed as they are a lot calmer then.  Its still very early days though and as Foxy says offer them food from your hand and it wont take long before they come running anytime they hear you  

[compostqueen]

get them used to you before trying to handle them.  They soon get used to you as you're the one feeding them so they associate you with food and will soon be eating from your hand./   They adore mixed corn and will take that from your hand or a raisin or two each (that is a special treat though, cos you don't want fat hens)      They aren't like lap dogs though and would rather be scratting about for worms than being cuddled