FunClucks
Crowing
When my chicks were small, they would perch on the edge of the brooder. Now they try and perch on my head when it is roosting time, and I re-direct them to my arms or hands. I used to hold them in my hands until they got too big. Mine are about 5 months or so now. They are full grown or almost there, and are too heavy to pick up one handed like I used to. If you want to hold them, but shoulders and heads are off limits (as they should be IMO), here's how I do it.
I had a friend with a blue and gold macaw (huge bird). She taught it to step up onto her hand/arm by placing her hand under its belly right in front of its feet and pushing up. Sometimes with a verbal command "walk up". I found the same technique works well for chickens. We've done this since they were chicks, and if they're in the mood, they'll perch on my hands. They're so big now that I pick up one clawed foot in my hand, and then press up under their belly so they will step up with their other foot onto my arm. I then move them over to having both feet on my arm.
Sometimes they're not sure they want to perch in which case I pick them up two handed, put them under one arm like a football, then place my other arm under their feet to perch on. I gently settle them on my arm, then remove the arm over their wings and they will perch on me. Or they will leave quickly. Depending on their mood, I can walk all over the run with them and pet them. They like to observe everything down below. Others get jealous sometimes, and will fly up and perch on my arm too. Rule is one at a time, so if they come up and I don't want them there, I have them land on my arm, and then transfer one chicken to my hand, and then down. Sometimes I launch them from my hand or arm, and they flap across the run. Most of the time, they just leave when they're ready. I love to pet them.
I may eventually invest in a (washable) falconing glove or gauntlet, or a cut--proof arm covering, but I haven't had to yet. Their claws are like dog claws - strong and pointy, but not going to hurt you unless they mean to do it. Now that they are big, they don't even scratch me with their claws (chick claws are sharper). Granted, there's always poop dust on their feet (at least), but I have to wash all exposed skin and change clothes anyway whenever I leave the run, so I put up with that because it's fun to pet them.
Watch your eyes though, maybe wear safety glasses, be sure they aren't thinking of pecking you when they're close to your face. That's why I only hold one at a time, I can't focus on them well enough in multiples or give them enough space or watch their body language closely enough and control where they are as well when there's more than one chicken on my arm at a time.
I had a friend with a blue and gold macaw (huge bird). She taught it to step up onto her hand/arm by placing her hand under its belly right in front of its feet and pushing up. Sometimes with a verbal command "walk up". I found the same technique works well for chickens. We've done this since they were chicks, and if they're in the mood, they'll perch on my hands. They're so big now that I pick up one clawed foot in my hand, and then press up under their belly so they will step up with their other foot onto my arm. I then move them over to having both feet on my arm.
Sometimes they're not sure they want to perch in which case I pick them up two handed, put them under one arm like a football, then place my other arm under their feet to perch on. I gently settle them on my arm, then remove the arm over their wings and they will perch on me. Or they will leave quickly. Depending on their mood, I can walk all over the run with them and pet them. They like to observe everything down below. Others get jealous sometimes, and will fly up and perch on my arm too. Rule is one at a time, so if they come up and I don't want them there, I have them land on my arm, and then transfer one chicken to my hand, and then down. Sometimes I launch them from my hand or arm, and they flap across the run. Most of the time, they just leave when they're ready. I love to pet them.
I may eventually invest in a (washable) falconing glove or gauntlet, or a cut--proof arm covering, but I haven't had to yet. Their claws are like dog claws - strong and pointy, but not going to hurt you unless they mean to do it. Now that they are big, they don't even scratch me with their claws (chick claws are sharper). Granted, there's always poop dust on their feet (at least), but I have to wash all exposed skin and change clothes anyway whenever I leave the run, so I put up with that because it's fun to pet them.
Watch your eyes though, maybe wear safety glasses, be sure they aren't thinking of pecking you when they're close to your face. That's why I only hold one at a time, I can't focus on them well enough in multiples or give them enough space or watch their body language closely enough and control where they are as well when there's more than one chicken on my arm at a time.
