Lucas Delgado
Picking up and holding a chicken is a daunting but necessary task for health checks, showing, and forming a friendly, trusting bond. It is important to know how to do this properly to avoid injury and keep your chicken calm. Chickens can be trained to get used to human interaction and handling them regularly gives you the chance to inspect their health. This will help you stay on top of their overall health and catch any issues early.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Picking up a chicken | Avoid chasing the chicken. Corral it into a corner or tight space. |
| Holding a chicken | Place one hand on the chicken's back to prevent flapping. |
| Slip the other hand under the chicken, with your palm against its breast. | |
| Position your middle finger between its legs, and wrap your other fingers around the legs. | |
| Lift the chicken slowly and gently off the ground. | |
| Hold the chicken securely against your body. | |
| Speak to the chicken softly to keep it calm. | |
| Chicken's comfort | Pet the chicken gently and speak to it softly to make it comfortable with human handling. |
| Avoid squeezing the chicken. | |
| Avoid restricting the chicken's view as this can cause nervousness and fright. | |
| Avoid picking up the chicken by its neck, wings, or feet. | |
| Avoid stroking against the grain of the chicken's feathers. | |
| Inspection | Inspect the chicken's skin for parasites. |
| Inspect the chicken's feet, feathers, beak, comb, waddles, and eyes for signs of injury or infection. | |
| Treats | Give the chicken treats to create a positive association with being picked up. |
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What You'll Learn
How to prepare a chicken to be picked up
Preparing a chicken to be picked up is an important part of hen care. It can be a daunting task, but it is necessary for health checks, showing, and forming a friendly, trusting bond. Here are some steps to prepare a chicken to be picked up:
First, it is important to train your chicken to come to you using treats. Bring treats such as mealworms, dry cereal, or watermelon into the pen or coop. Offer the treat from your palm and stay calm and relaxed while the chicken eats. If the chicken is too afraid to approach, place treats on the ground leading towards you. Wait until the chicken is comfortable being close to you before attempting to pick it up. Avoid chasing the chicken, as this can cause stress and make the chicken sick.
Next, always move slowly and gently to keep the experience calm for both you and the chicken. Use plenty of treats when handling your chicken to create positive associations and build trust. Make "chick chick chick" noises like a rooster to encourage the chicken to come towards you.
Additionally, it is important to consider the chicken's behaviour. If the chicken is particularly feisty or difficult to handle, you might need to use a net to catch it. A large fishing or pool skimming net can be held on the ground in front of the chicken. As the chicken steps onto the net, gently lift it up. Alternatively, you can try to towel the chicken, similar to how one would towel a cat. However, the chicken might become wise to this method over time.
Once the chicken is in your arms, hold it securely but gently. Keep its body snugly against yours, with your palm between its legs to keep them secure. You can also hold the chicken between your ribs and upper arm, which will help secure its wings. It is important to prevent the chicken from jumping or flapping to avoid injury. Hold the chicken firmly but gently so it doesn't feel squashed.
Finally, provide praise and affection during handling. Pet and talk softly to your chicken to keep it calm. Gently stroke its back feathers and speak in a soft voice so the chicken can hear you. Creating a positive and trusting relationship will help the chicken get used to being held.
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The correct way to hold a chicken
First and foremost, never pick up a chicken by its neck, wings, or feet. This is an unacceptable practice that can harm chickens, both physically and mentally. It is also important to avoid chasing your chicken, as this can make it stressed and even sick. Instead, gently corral the chicken into a corner before you attempt to pick it up.
When you are near enough, place your hands on the chicken. You can either place one hand on each side of its body, keeping its wings against it, or place one hand in front of its chest to prevent it from moving forward, and then place your other hand on its back to keep it still. Once the bird is still, place both hands firmly over both wings and around its body. You can then lift it towards you so that one side is held firmly against your body. This will prevent it from injuring itself or jumping away.
To hold a chicken, place the palm of your dominant hand firmly on its back to prevent flapping. Next, slip your other hand under the chicken, rest your palm against its breast, position your middle finger between its legs, and wrap your other fingers around the legs. Then, use your hands to support the chicken's body as you lift it slowly and gently off the ground. Finally, hold your chicken against your chest and speak to it softly to keep it calm.
When holding your chicken, gently part its feathers and begin looking over its skin for any signs of parasites. Common parasites include poultry lice and fleas. You should also take the time to check its health by inspecting its feet, feathers, beak, combs, waddles, and eyes. Regular checkups can help prevent disease from spreading through your flock or catch small injuries that could turn into infections.
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What to do once a chicken is in your arms
Once a chicken is in your arms, it is important to keep it calm and secure. Speak to it softly and pet it gently, always stroking with the feather grain. Holding chickens securely is essential to prevent injuries, both to yourself and the chicken. You should always hold a chicken with both hands, keeping its wings pinned to its sides to prevent flapping. One hand should be under the chicken's rear, with your middle finger between its legs, and the other hand should be supporting its body, with your arm around its torso and wings. Be sure to hold it firmly, but not so tight that you restrict its breathing or cause it stress.
Regularly picking up a chicken will help it become familiar with the experience, and can make stressful events like health concerns or relocations less nerve-wracking. Holding chickens also gives you the chance to inspect their health, checking for parasites and other issues. Look over the chicken's skin, feathers, beak, comb, waddles, eyes, and legs for any signs of injury or infection.
When you are finished holding the chicken, place it directly on the ground and remove your hands slowly and calmly. You can give the chicken a treat to create a positive association with being picked up. Try to avoid chasing your chicken, as this can cause stress and health problems. Instead, train your chicken to come to you by offering treats, and always move slowly and gently to keep the experience calm.
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How to put a chicken down
To put a chicken down, it is important to first ensure that you are placing it down securely and safely. This means that the chicken should be put down in a safe space, such as inside their coop or pen, and that their feet are properly on the ground. Slowly and calmly remove your hands, being mindful not to place the chicken down too abruptly or too high above the ground. You can then give your chicken a treat to create a positive association with being handled.
When putting a chicken down, it is important to avoid restricting its view, as this can cause the chicken to become nervous and frightened. It is also crucial to avoid squeezing the chicken, as this can restrict its ability to breathe by compressing its air sacs. Additionally, always set the chicken down if it shows signs of stress, such as severe open-mouth breathing or changes in the colour of its comb or wattles.
If you are putting the chicken down after picking it up for a health check, it is important to follow the correct procedure. This involves gently parting the chicken's feathers and inspecting its skin for any signs of parasites, such as poultry lice or fleas. If you have any concerns, it is recommended to contact a veterinarian for advice and treatment.
Overall, when putting a chicken down, it is crucial to prioritise the chicken's safety and comfort. This includes ensuring a secure and calm release, avoiding any restrictive positions, and being mindful of the chicken's breathing and stress levels. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that the chicken is put down properly and safely.
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How to make a chicken feel comfortable while being held
To make a chicken feel comfortable while being held, there are several steps you can take. Firstly, it is important to approach the chicken calmly and gently, without chasing it, as this can cause stress and make the chicken skittish. Lower yourself to the chicken's level, and offer it a treat to encourage it to come towards you. You can also try herding the chicken into a corner or tight space to safely pick it up, especially if it is a large breed.
Once the chicken is within reach, place your hands on its body, keeping its wings against its body. You can do this by placing one hand on each side of the chicken's body or one hand on its back and the other in front of its chest. Make sure you do not pick up the chicken by its neck, wings, or feet, as this can harm the chicken and cause mental stress.
When picking up the chicken, use one hand to support its back and the other hand to secure its legs. Lift the chicken slowly and gently, keeping its body snugly against yours. Hold the chicken securely but not too tightly, as this can restrict its breathing. Speak to the chicken softly and pet it gently to keep it calm and comfortable.
Regularly picking up a chicken and handling it gently will help it become familiar with the experience and reduce stress during health checks, separations, or relocations. You can also train your chicken to come to you by offering treats and praise during handling. This will create a positive association with being picked up and make the chicken feel comfortable.
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