Cuddling & Stroking

Daft question I know but how many of your chickens actually let themselves be picked up and carressed?
I would so love it for mine to start to jump up onto my knee, or along side me on the bench, for some treats or allow me to pick them up for a cuddle. I suppose I'm just been impatient but none of them, not even George now want me to encroach into their spaces. I can gently rub two of them's chests while I feed them treats but most of the time they wont let me near them. Am I been hasty??
Also what is the best way to actually manage to get hold of them, gently, to get them used to being handled. Even when I try after they've gone in to bed they all edge away from me, to the point of standing on each other.
I am managing to hand feed them their treats twice a day now and they will all come and feed from my hand which they wouldn't all do a few days ago. Live mealworms seem to be doing the trick they can't resist them. Its funny but its only a few weeks ago before I got the girls that George wouldn't even look at live mealworms, now he can't get enough. Is it an age thing or do they just see others eating things so give them a go?
they all come galloping up to me when I pop out into the garden (free range) and say 'hello, what have you got for us', so it can't be cos they don't like me. And they do come when I call them. Well most of the time!!!
Thanks
Anndee

Hi Anndee,

I have had my six girls since June.  I have two Warrens Rosie and Ruby who will let you pick them up and cuddle and sit on my knee ( for a while  ).  Lily and Daphne are Sussex and they will also let me pick them up - although they are really heavy! The final two are Black Columbians ( i think ) and they are a lot more wary.

Like Lindeggs girls they go down into the crouch position and I just gently pick them up and put my arm underneath them so they feel safe.

Keep going and stroking them and they will get used to it.  Always want a treat though

KC x

You need to be able to pick up and handle your girls for welfare reasons.  Checking their weight and condition, plus checking for parasites is an important part of their welfare, so perservere with method Lindeggs and Kensington chicks recommend.

I always do this first and then offer treats so they are clear the indignities of health checks are over.  They forgive me really fast when a few mealworms are on offer    Handfeeding is a good start, but they aren't really bothered about cuddles in general 

The best way to get to be able to pick up the chickens is just to be a familiar part of their lives - sit in the run with a cuppa and a biscuit.  Scatter corn around your feet or on your knee.  Try eating a sandwich and see how soon you have to fight them off......

Seriously, as they get used to you pottering around tidying the run or poo-picking the house, especially if little treats occasionally fall from your pockets,  they will start hanging around and getting under your feet.

Sometimes when I am inelegantly head first in the coop door with my little plastic rake and spade, one or more of the girls comes in the pop hole & eyes me up - for all the world like Hyacinth Bucket checking up on the cleaner!  But it's taken about 8 months or so for them to get to that stage.

Even now, they don't want to be picked up or cuddled (although they accept it when necessary), but will tolerate polite stroking and conversation.

Mine (apart from one) have never liked being picked up but i have them trained to line up on a handrail 60cm off the ground to get any treats. This makes them easy to pick up and inspect without a lot of flapping and chasing !.