Old English game hens

[theartsypaul]

I'm pretty sure that's my breed. I do have 1 leg horn and 4 OEGHs. I love the leg horn. The game hens...not so much. I have had them for about a month. I'm not sure which ones are laying but I think 2 are. The game hens are super scared of me. I've given treats etc. Everytime I'm in the coop the flip out and crash into things and try to fly. How can I get them to relax? Also how short can I cut their feathers? I'd like to let them out of the coop but it's like they are on crack.

 

[cavemanrich]

Put the OEGH on Ritalin.. and problem solved..

Ok that is only to make you chuckle. Some chickens are more active than others. The leghorns are docile birds although not the most friendly. Excellent layers. Are the game hens young? You may be able to tame them some if you handle them and caress them gently. Then they may have less fear. ... My game hens are quite friendly. They do run off from me when I try to pick them up when they are free range. In the coop I can handle them easily and without issues. I discourage cutting wing feathers unless they are escaping your grounds. The good wings help them escape danger should it occur . If you still want to cut them, than I will give you details in a following post. .
WISHING YOU BEST..

Here is a pix of my OEGH.. Do yours look like these???

 

[theartsypaul]

Yes mine look just like that. I wanted the birds to roam our backyard. We are urban owners and I know they'd love the grass and drip system. The game hens can fly up the 6 foot wall. I'm guessing they are not very old as their eggs are tiny and the body seems small. Not sure how big they get though. I'll post pictures when I get home. They are so skittish they startle (freak) me out to pick them up. Guess I'll have to do it when they are roosting.

 

[cavemanrich]

Mine are full grown.. They wont get any bigger. I luv them cuties. The eggs are about the size of a walnut. .. If yours are laying, they are full grown at that point.. Remember that these are bantams.

 

[theartsypaul]

 

[theartsypaul]

Bantam are small hens? I believe at least 2 are laying. The big white egg is the leg horn in comparison to the OEGH. If I don't cut their wings they just fly over and away. I had a "blast" chasing one all over the neighborhood. So basically lots of treats and time and they MIGHT calm down?

 

[cavemanrich]

Here is an idea. Let them all out including the leghorn in late afternoon. They will walk around your yard but it would be too late for them to desire an escape. Once they get used to being in the yard, that is where they will stay. I let mine free range in the back yard when I am home. Yard is not fenced in .. They don't leave the grounds. I live in the city like you. There is a fence on the neighbors side and the back, but the rest is open to the street on other 2 sides. Just open the coop or run and let them go out on their own. Now if you definitely need to clip wing feathers, Just clip one wing . They will be off balance when trying to fly and as a result wont get very high.
Here is a thread I posted in about that. Read up on it there. The diagram is for a person doing pigeon wings I think. I can show you on my bird how much to cut off if you are still going to go thru with it. I just need someone to take the pix as I'm holding and showing you the wing. (need 3 hands LOL)

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1015032/chicken-flight-versus-fence-height-need-to-clip-wings