Holding chickens is one of my favorite hobbies! There’s nothing like going out to the coop and getting in some good chicken snuggles. While this is a highlight of raising backyard chickens, it’s also very important to know how to hold them correctly.
Why Holding Chickens Properly is Important
First, knowing how to hold a chicken properly is essential to avoid injury. Secondly, holding your chickens regularly gives you the chance to inspect their health. Checking their combs, waddles, eyes, beak, legs, body and feathers on a regular basis helps you stay on top of their overall health and catch any issues early.
How to Hold a Chick
When you first get your cute little chicks, handle them sparingly during the first couple of days so they can adjust to their new environment and maintain their body temperature. Once they’ve settled in, you can start handling them more frequently. The more you hold your chicks as they grow, the easier it will be to handle them as adults.
How to hold a chick:
Carefully place one hand over the chick's wings.
Use your other hand to support their feet to prevent them from trying to jump or fly.
Always avoid squeezing them!
Chicks are delicate, so you must hold them gently but securely. With consistent handling, your chicks will become more comfortable with being held as they grow.
Holding Adolescent Chickens
As chickens grow into their “teenager” stage, they tend to be more skittish and may not enjoy being held. This phase is temporary, and with time, they’ll often become more comfortable with handling again. Patience is key!
How to Hold an Adult Chicken
When your chickens reach adulthood, knowing the proper technique to hold them is crucial for both safety and comfort
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How to hold an adult chicken:
Place your hands over their wings to keep them from flapping.
Gently pick them up and bring them to your side to make them feel safe and secure.
You can carry them under your arm like a football or cradle them to your body for a cozy snuggle.
It’s important not to squeeze your chicken, as this can cut off their air supply or cause internal injuries. You want to hold them firmly enough to prevent flapping or jumping but always avoid squeezing.
Preventing Chicken Injuries
When handling chickens, the biggest concern is ensuring you don’t drop them. If a chicken falls or jumps from a high place, it can result in broken legs or damaged joints. Always hold them securely, and if they do fall, check them over for any injuries or abrasions.
Falling can also lead to bumblefoot, a painful foot condition caused by abrasions. So, make sure your chicken’s feet are free from cuts or scrapes.
Regular Health Checks While Holding Chickens
Again, and I can’t stress this enough, while holding your chickens, take the time to check their health. Inspect their feet, feathers, beaks, combs, waddles and eyes. Regular checkups can help prevent disease from spreading through your flock or catch small injuries that could turn into infections.
Enjoying the Fun of Raising Backyard Chickens
Raising backyard chickens is so much fun! And most of that fun is learning your chickens’ different personalities. Some of my chickens follow me around until I pick them up for a hug, while others run like the wind when I walk near them! Either way, knowing how to properly hold a chicken will help you in your backyard chicken journey.
Until next time,
-The Wing Lady