Last fall , a womanhood contacted me to ask if I could rehome her rooster . My honest-to-goodness cock pass recently of onetime years . I thought my miss would receive another cat .
The kinsperson had paw raise the cock , a Sebright Bantam , as a category deary . When he arrived at my home , he settled right in . He ’s a joy to be around , and my hens love him .
Although the Sebright is a serene and docile stock , I think a unspoilt part of Rodrigo ’s friendliness add up from the means he was raised .
Kelly Jones , author of the children ’s booksUnusual crybaby for the Exceptional Poultry FarmerandAre You Ready to concoct an Unusual Chicken?has a mess of five hens on her urban farm in Washington . She allege that she looks upon her chicken as supporter .
“ I ’m not as cheeseparing to them as I am with my quat , ” she says . “ But I expend time watch out them and I cognize their personalities . ”
She says that before you even set forth to endeavor to befriend your flock , give any new chickens meter to steady down in and feel good with each other .
Last summer Jones introduced three Modern chicken to her two senior hens . She want the neophyte to find safe and dependable in their new situation before she tried to introduce herself . Jones made certain not to make ominous movements such as tower over them , speaking loudly or moving quickly .
interpret more : Feathered friends can provide excited appeasement — like therapy chickens !
Become the “Treat Person”
When your flock sees you coming , they ’ll know a tasty snack will come . Jones ’ hens get a treat every Nox when they issue forth in to roost .
Treats can include healthy food such as black oil sunflowers , cracked edible corn , dry out mealworms and vegetable scraps .
verify you ’re feeding delicacy sparingly , however . treat should n’t take the place of a balanced diet . In fact , chickens will happily satisfy up on tasty extra instead of their daily ration .
Name Your Chickens
name a poulet might seem cockamamy . But just as find out a person ’s name helps you get introduce and change the manner you think about them , naming your chickens makes them feel like friends .
After all , it ’s easier to have fondness for a Henrietta than just another Wyandotte .
Read more : Do chickens feel ? Yes ! Here are 4 emotion your deal may receive .
Handling Your Chickens
Whether you may hold your chickens or not for the most part depends upon them . Some accept it easily and others do n’t .
Jones does n’t hand tame her hens , only pick them up if she has to .
“ rather , we hang out together , ” she says . “ They have their own matter they like to be involved in . Anytime I hollow or move dirt they will play over to see me . Of course they are more concerned in the worm and insect than me .
“ I could foot them up at the point , but in general I prefer them to be themselves on their terms . ”
To hold a volaille properly , point your hands on each side , over the wings , and lift her up . Tuck the bird , secure the wings , under one subdivision ( she can look forrard or back ) , and have her shank between your fingers .
If she flaps or protest , put her down . Only pick her up again if you dead must .
Teach a Trick
chicken are unusually easy to train and are very food motivated . You ’ve probably train your chicken without really knowing it .
Do they amount running when you approach the henhouse with a feed scoop in hand ? Or do they watch you as you work in the vegetable garden , expecting to receive a tasty goody , such as vegetable scraps or a tomato hornworm ?
opt a tasty food that they usually do n’t receive in their casual diet , such as mealworm . Put them in a bright red-faced or pinkish bowling ball , and carry that into the coop . ( The colored arena will teach the chicken that snacks are forthcoming . )
Take the chickens to a certain position , such as a board on the floor , and set the bowl down , removing it as presently as it ’s empty . Do this every clock time your chickens receive a treat , and they will run to that spot when they see the bowl .
you could target take aim your individual hen by withstand out a marijuana cigarette . When the bird pick it follow that with a delicacy .
volaille do n’t see us as friends per se because we are n’t part of their societal structure . But they do see us as someone crucial .
instruct these little tricks will set up a seam of communication between you and your peck , tolerate the chickens to ask something from you .
Slow Your Roll
Most importantly , do n’t essay to force your chickens to act as like friend .
Some breeds are friendly than others and are more amenable to being beak up . Some , on the other hand , will never be subdue , no matter how well you raised them .
The closer a breed is to its hobo camp ancestry , the more skittish they are .
Friendly breeds include :
Flightier strain include :
It ’s okay if your hens do n’t return your affection . you’re able to show you give care by give your fold the best life you’re able to and admiring them from afar .
