Where or how do your chickens like to be pet?

[lizrndiver]

Each time I pick up on of my pullets, I want to pet her for a bit after I inspect her in order to get her more used to handling and also because I hope that they will like it. My question is....what do chickens like when it comes to petting? I know what cats like, dogs, horses...but chickens?

What do your chickens like? Do you only pet them over their feathers or do you ever go under their wings and try to rub their bodies?


Please share.....

Liz

 

[hinkjc]

Mine like their wattles rubbed gently and just under their beak down the front of the neck. I do rub their chests when I'm not holding them and sometimes pet their backs (they'll either squat or try to move away). My lap chooks love all the snuggles and will pretty much let me pet them however I like and they'll settle down for a nap. lol

 

[paulpig]

ours hens are easier to handle at night when it is closer to roosting...........get them used to "treat feeding"--- They will LOVE you!!! Our flock had left over jumbalaya tonight!!!

 

[shelleyd2008]

I've only got a few that like to be touched. Those ones either get a scratch on their breast or a scratch on their backs, between their wings. Some of them think it's okay to jump on me, but God forbid I try to touch them!

 

[lauriruth]

Liz,
my black star sex-link (9 wks. old) stretches her neck out, rests it on my arm while i stroke her neck and falls asleep! the other 3 will have none of it!

 

[nature nut]

Both of my RIRs (one 3 yrs one 17 weeks) like to have their necks stroked. I love it too because I'll rub their neck and they'll go "baaawwk" all peaceful and happy and then I'll rub it again and they'll go "baaawwk" again. Sounds sooo cool. Like they really enjoy it.

 

[tomato lady]

Of 28 pullets I have a few that don't object to being picked up and petted. One is my granddaughter's little white EE. The other is a surprise to me because she is a Red Leghorn and I read that they don't usually like humans to touch them. She doesn't care at all. Some of my Red Sex Links don't care if I pick them up, others hate it. One of my EEs likes to get up on top of the nest boxes so she is eye level to me and just complain loudly (or beg for treats, who knows?). She is always in my face talking about something, but she hates it when I touch her.

It just seems that chickens have their own personality and some take to human attention and others do not.

 

[KittyKelly]

Most of my Serama roos like their waddles rubbed. They kinda close their eyes and fall asleep.

 

[suburbanminifarm]

They love gentle scratches/pets under the "chin" like a cat. And anywhere on the throat area.

 

[feathersnuggles]

The neck area, under the beak, and along the sides just below the beak.