How can I encourage my chickens to be more cuddly?

[swanfeatures]

New Chicken owner, we have 3 POL bought in July last year and two POL bought and integrated about 4 weeks ago.
But, they aren't overly keen on being handled. Our leghorn is completely uncatcheable, and the others will squat for a quick stroke but that's your lot!
No chance of holding them without them hating it.
We are very careful with them, supporting them fully when holding them, NEVER grab them by the legs!
we make a lot of effort to pop out several times a day, give them treats every now and then to build the relationship, but still they're not as cuddly as I hoped.
Breeds are white star, light sussex, Warren, newer ones are a bluebell and gold top (silkie Sussex x breed)

 

[LaFleche]

Welcome to BYC

For your cuddling intentions you seem to have the wrong breeds, as Leghorn are known to be very good layers but rather flighty and your other production breeds as well, but for the Silkie mix.

If you just sit calmly in their run with bowl of nice treats in your hands, they might jump on your lap to investigate and even settle there for a while, but in general most chickens don't like to be grabbed or hold, as this is what a predator would do.

 

[LaFleche]

• Polish
• Orpington
• Cochin
• Silkies

are the breeds that tolerate cuddling or holding much better, but you should raise them from chicks to build the trust this requires.

But beware that Silkies and Polish don't go well with the breeds you already have. Production breeds will bully and even kill them if not raised together from very young age (chick). You can find a lot of threads here on BYC Emergency forum regarding this issue.

 

[West Bend]

Hi, the POL hens probably were never handled or very little at best before you received them. Cuddling was not a part of them growing up. They will need patience on your part but they may never come around.
I agree with LaFleche, sit with them often. Offer treats as close to you as possible. Move the treats closer to you when you can. Talk softly to them. When they are eating close to you, you could try to pet them. Slowly get them to trust you. Hopefully they will come around even if they are not the ideal breeds for cuddling. I think it's rare to find a cuddly chicken but if you get them as chicks you'll have a better chance.
Good luck

 

[swanfeatures]

Welcome to BYC

For your cuddling intentions you seem to have the wrong breeds, as Leghorn are known to be very good layers but rather flighty and your other production breeds as well, but for the Silkie mix.

If you just sit calmly in their run with bowl of nice treats in your hands, they might jump on your lap to investigate and even settle there for a while, but in general most chickens don't like to be grabbed or hold, as this is what a predator would do.

Thanks everyone!

Totally get that raising them from chicks is best, but as new owners we weren't brave or knowledgeable enough to do so.

Sad to hear our breeds aren't great, as they were recommended but the breeder as the most kid/family friendly breeds

Will keep an eye on the silkie, although so far she's very productive if, small eggs, but bluebell isn't laying yet, but defo the bottom of the pecking order! Stress I feel is a factor there!



Thanks again!

 

[3KillerBs]

Chickens are prey animals so they are very vary of being picked up and held. It's not part of their natural flock interactions, not even for mother and chicks. Instead, it's reminiscent of what a predator would do -- grab them and carry them off.

Very few chickens, even when handled a lot as chicks, really enjoy being picked up and petting. Since they have been raised for thousands of generations as livestock selected for production traits (and occasionally ornamental traits), rather than selected as cuddle-pets the majority will default to this natural fear.

You can, however, expect them to eagerly rush the fence when you come in sight and follow you around once they learn that you are the Bringer of Food.

 

[swanfeatures]

Chickens are prey animals so they are very vary of being picked up and held. It's not part of their natural flock interactions, not even for mother and chicks. Instead, it's reminiscent of what a predator would do -- grab them and carry them off.

Very few chickens, even when handled a lot as chicks, really enjoy being picked up and petting. Since they have been raised for thousands of generations as livestock selected for production traits (and occasionally ornamental traits), rather than selected as cuddle-pets the majority will default to this natural fear.

You can, however, expect them to eagerly rush the fence when you come in sight and follow you around once they learn that you are the Bringer of Food.

Yup I get that! Would quite like them to perch on me though, but no joy. I will persist in being chief mealworm bringer!

 

[sourland]

Food may win them over, but as prey animals chickens tend to dislike being restrained.

 

[MissE]

Thanks everyone!

Totally get that raising them from chicks is best, but as new owners we weren't brave or knowledgeable enough to do so.

Sad to hear our breeds aren't great, as they were recommended but the breeder as the most kid/family friendly breeds

Will keep an eye on the silkie, although so far she's very productive if, small eggs, but bluebell isn't laying yet, but defo the bottom of the pecking order! Stress I feel is a factor there!



Thanks again!

Kid friendly/family friendly doesn't mean they will have the personality of a dog.

So long as they aren't attacking you or freaking out when you walk in the pen, they are being friendly.

Mine run up to me, but don't want to be touched or held. They are prey animals and need to have an escape route.

 

[Mamatomany123]

I do think some of.their behavior may be from not being handled young. I have mixed breeds and while they're chicks I handle them multiple times a day to make it easier on me to check them for mites, lice, wounds, ect while they're older. My most friendly ones are my olive eggers though. Next is my production blues. My EEs put up with me but dont enjoy being handled.