We're often asked how we managed to end up with such snuggly lap chickens. There's a method to the madness. You, too, can enjoy endless outrageous chicken cuddles. Trish breaks it down for you.
@@solemngalaxy I agree, plus it shows that it isn't just one of her chickens' disposition to be cuddly - she has taught them all to handle being held :)
it's after midnight, i don't own chickens and i have no idea what i'm actually doing here, but "channeling your inner rooster not to give up" was probably the best life advice i could get under these circumstances. thank you chicken lady!
"That means that you have succeeded in making them believe that you're their rooster. So, great job, and now you have to follow through." I'm sorry, I have to do what?!
I tried it in the office today. Now I'm fired and charged with assault for trying to peck out an eye of my Boss to challenge his hierarchical position. Worst life advice ever.
Our 5 year old granddaughter has worked to get our chickens to let her pick them up and pet them. Now, they will let her hold them as she rides an electric motorcycle... They could easily squirm away, but they sit on her lap as she rides... New meaning to "biker chick!" (And they still laid eggs the next day....)
When we got chickens my mom was like "we'll name a couple of them and they'll just be egg layers" here I am a couple months later with a bunch of chickens climbing all over me and sitting on my lap and shoulders
That's what is happening here, we started out with six egg layer chickens, and right now I'm sitting next to them and one is chilling out on my shoulder
"You don't quite look like a Rooster, I'm assuming." That's a pretty general blanket statement that you made there, I'd say it's pretty offensive to people with a comb and a gullet
I got mine as babies when I was a child and they’d chirp all night long. I moved them into my bedroom and I’d sleep with my hand inside their coop 😂 they grew up very close to me but they would constantly try to attack anyone who wasn’t my mother that came near me lol. I had a Rhode Island Red and a Buff Orpington. I miss my babies and because of them I went vegetarian. I would like more chicken friends in the near future ❤️☺️
I had a wild chicken I raised from a baby chick after a rain storm drowned the nest. I was amazed by how affectionate and eager to spend time with me she was. An absolute sweetheart... very much changed my mind about these birds.
I failed to save and keep a wild chick once 😢 it filled my heart and soul with big regret thinking everyday what would've her/his life be if I could've save her/him to this day whenever I see a sick and weak chick lying on the ground I would save it's life to live again they are the one's who has change my life and would bring happiness to me whenever I see them healthy 😄
I grew up on a chicken ranch - we had flocks of so-called free range chickens. When I was about 9 I selected 6 eggs to be my pets. When they hatched I hand fed them and petted them. After 6 months or so they were integrated with a flock. When I came near, they would always run to me and want to jump into my lap or sit in my hands - even when they were quite old. They never forgot me but ignored other humans. No doubt they were considered nut cases by the other chickens, who ignored me or kept their distance if I got very near. The Chicken Lady got to the key point at 3:28 when she said to bribe the young ones with food. Not at any stage did I ever think that my pets thought of me as their rooster.
I can't wait to be settled and get my own chickens! This video is very encouraging. I want mine to be pets -- eggs are nice, but I wanna cuddle that floofy bird as my priority haha.
As kids growing up in Ireland,we kept Rhode Island Reds. When we would chase them,the hens would stop and raise up their wings as a type of submission thing and loved been stroked. Of course they all had names...one particular hen would perch up on the window sills and look in the house and would also come in the house and go upstairs!
This was THE BEST video on how to get them to cuddle and understand them better! Thanks so much! ❤️ I'm sort of the crazy chicken lady at work, even though I don't have any of my own yet, so for now watching videos like this is the only way I can enjoy chickens as a city girl 😂 thaaaank you!! ❤
Two chicks came into my life by accident when they were 2 days old. Now they are 2 months and they are the loves of my life. I cant imagine a life with out there craziness. Lol
Thank you for helping Penelope, such a sweet girl. I just love chickens, they're smart, funny, full of personality and they do have feelings. I had 37 chickens and they are all different personality wise and they all have names. Love this video. ❤❤❤
My girlfriend has a rooster, and he is the most docile and lets us pick him up any time compared to the hens oddly. I'm not chicken expert but I've noticed he doesn't act like a roo as well. He doesn't care to be the alpha, he just is there chilling. I think that has to do with the fact that my girlfriend found him at the time where most of original flock were either dead or eaten by predators and had no social interaction with any other chick. She found this roo and nursed him back to health (she also lives near a farm where her dad also works). Then as a present to her I purchased five hens three years later so he was already mature and slowly mixed him in with the hens.
Thanks I realized this today when my chicken came looking for me in the window when she heard my voice. Probably helps I've always talked to her and make chicken sounds with her too lol 😆 she follows me and my family thinks it's strange yet they can't get her to follow them. She's such a good girl.
Thank you! We just got our chicks, they're one week old and we've had them two days now. Such beautiful little creatures! I want to give them so much squish!
This post was great! I did get my chicks when they were a day old, but I really didn’t handle them much. They are now three months, and it’s great to know I still have a chance at taming them some.
So glad I’m not the only one who loves to hold and pet and pamper her chickens. They feed me breakfast and of course they will be pampered for that! Great video.
Thank you for these tips! I have had some rescue Silkies from about 6 weeks old but they are nowhere near as snuggly as I thought. The rescue Buff Orpingtons (rescued after 2 years of battery farming) have been much happier with human contact and actively fly over to say hello. It's interesting, because I suppose the Silkies have had a much easier start in life but they seem to be quite happy sticking to themselves, only wanting food, not cuddles. The Orpingtons seem to really enjoy having human contact, maybe because of their past life, who knows. It's nice for me though. It makes me feel like they are saying "Thank you for rescuing us!".
I have a Black McRae gamefowl rooster named Gallus. He knows his name, comes when called, and will even jump for a treat. I’ve had him for three years and he’s never been mean. I eventually got him some hens and he couldn’t be happier. Although now he’s got bigger responsibilities like caring for his ladies, he still really enjoys a pet from me.
Reminds me of my childhood. I agree that the younger you get them, the better. Our cuddliest chicken were all hatched by us and hand fed. Hand feeding is the best way to socialize any bird and it works later as well. Basically never stop hand feeding them with the stuff they like most. One of the batches I remember was 4 chicken. We realized that 3 of them were roosters. So what to do? We just let them fight it over for 3 weeks, it was a massacre. But in the end one of them won. And from that moment onward they were all friends and had no more fights. So we had 3 roosters and 1 hen, without problems. The roosters were just as cuddly as the hen. So the "be rooster" advice is not necessary, as long as you hand feed them and you have them since day 1.
I feel the same way about my chickens! I have some affectionate roosters as well. I think they're worse than the hens for wanting attention. :) Great video, I loved it!!
I had several chickens but one hen was my favorite. I used to pet her and hide some treats in her fluffy feathers so that she can find the treat on her own body. That was my childhood and I loved it.
Just found your video after getting my first chickens. Now I come to realize your channel hasn't posted in a year. Your video was very thorough and well done, you are very valuable to the chicken community. I hope all is well and that you return soon.
My two Rhode Island Reds are Rescues. They're Coop had been Decimated by Coyotes & they were the only two survivors. So I had my work Cut Out. They're what I call City Birds because it's been 3 Months & they are just now starting to lay again. They have a large safe run with Hide Spots & a 3 Hen Box complete with a Cozy Coop zero clearance heater. The first week they enjoyed ears of Corn some stacker feed & some Meat Bird Feed & I keep them in Apples filled with Peanut Butter. They submit & sit with me as long as I will. After the First week I bought 2500 1 inch breeder Crickets & let them go in their run. I figured a few may make it & start a Cricket Factory for my Girls but after 3 days I didn't see anymore but the Chickens absolutely loved It. I also Rake & Airyaite the Run for Worming & Such. Our Church friends daughter named them Athena and Persia . We liked the names & they've stuck. Quite the Atraction in our City Neighborhood . Yes Chickens are Legal where we live in the City Limits Unfortunately a Rooster will get you a Ticket. I think it's fair. Good Luck One & All. The reason I call them City Chicks is they've not laid eggs in Months & a Farm Chick would be moved to the Freezer if they stop laying. My girls don't have to lay as long as it's not unhealthy & they'll still die of Old Age. That's my Love of Chickens & why I no longer eat Chicken Meat. Too Smart. I ain't ever getting a Cow. I love Steak too much. God Bless & Merry Christmas
You're not crazy, any creature loves to be loved...my chickens definitely love to be cuddled...what I found amusing is that my two Brahmas are the most standoffish lol. Very good video, thumbs up :)
Interesting about the Brahmas, as they are supposed to be a cuddly breed... Could you tell me what breeds are the cuddliest in your experience? @kijanailis
@@bh1717 You know what? After I posted this comment, one of my bigger Brahmas got sick and I brought her inside (needed to absolutely control her diet and environment)...I cuddled and loved on her for like 2 days, really giving her attention. She ended up sleeping in my damn bed....on my damn head (she did have one of those diapers btw lol), and she refused to sleep anywhere else, she wanted to be close (chickens are def social). She got healthy and after this one on one bonding she was just the freaking best. Coming up for cuddles ALL THE TIME. I loved on my other brahma and boy howdy...when they know you like them...they like you right back in a big way! They were taken by a predator along with 2 others not long after and I miss them all terribly. My first chickens were a mix of breeds...and I've really found that love and patience will work on any breed...just like people lol ....BUT, I recommend getting them at a very young age and loving on them as they grow. I kept mine in the house in a big dog kennel with a cordoned off area they could move and fly in a few times a day as they grew, although as you see my brahma needed some one on one :)
I pulled a bit of a no-no last year before I came home from college to quarantine. I already had a flock of 19 chickens, and I love different breeds. The feed store in my college town had polish pullets and I simply couldn't resist. I brought home a single polish hen I named Nicki, and the special individual attention she got turned her into both the sweetest girl on earth as well as a bit of a diva.
Outstanding. I saw a homeless person with a chicken in his lap sitting next to a storefront. He had a great sense of humor. I asked if I could hold his chicken and he said that sounds like a personal question. We both had a good laugh and he let me hold his bird. I gave him $20 and said now I have to go get my own chicken. His chicken was a hen. She was old. Stole my heart. Now I want to go get just one chicken so that she will bond with me and my little tiny dog. My dog goes with me wherever I go. We go in my vehicle to work, stores, etc. My little brother is a huge sensation at the hardware stores, and everywhere where dogs are not prohibited. Everyone falls in love with my little brother. We will be a happy trio and a smash at home Depot, Lowe's and everywhere that is pet-friendly. Thank you for this wonderful demonstration and great sense of humor. Subscribed liked shared etc. Share the love thank you.
Thanks, crazy chicken lady! I've got my first five chickens (blue andalusian x3, golden laced wyandotte, white leghorn) and this is very helpful! They're 6 weeks old now and very fun, but still a bit jumpy!
Man, I wish I could have a Chicken or 2 in my apartment! I'd make the patio a little chicken paradise. I can't wait to have a back yard and some land again! Great video. When I was little my elementary school had hens in our garden and they were SO sweet, it always amazed me because I didn't know chickens were affectionate at all. This one would sit on my lap and lay her head on me! Melted my heart. This is just so cute. Thanks!
They make great pets! Do a utube search. There's a man in Japan with like 4M subscribers he keeps 3 chickens in doors then takes them to the park. It's more acceptable in Asia then USA to keep chickens as pets instead of barnyard animals only.
I use to live close to a private property that I was allowed on full of chickens and I use to tame them this way. I use to sit down on the grass or in there coop and just watched them, the one's that I liked or were curious about me I'd grab and put on my lap. Then I'd cover there face to calm them down while talking to them while stroking them gentley. Then after a few minutes I'd place them down usaly right next to me so they new I let them go. Some it works with more then others. I remember scouting out wich one I was going to tame and had them on my lap a few days later. This will work better if you have a good bond with animals.
I got 12 buff orpington chicks 2 months ago now. One of the cockerels has grown up to be just so sweet. When I sit in the coop, he always goes to sit in my lap, it's so cute. And when he cuddles with me, the other chickens always come as well.
Xendrius Try vegan cheese on pizza! Some can be a little weird, but Frankful cheese is amazing on pizza! 😍 Cut of that bit of cheese (i assume you now is milk, and still gets kalves and mothers killed), and become vegan instead of plant based❤️Best desision I ever made, sad i didnt do it sooner. You are so close! 😁 The difference between vegan and plantbased is that plant based is a diet preference, veganism is not, its a stand against all use and explotiation of animals, you can do it! ☺️❤️
I have two young silkies and although I had not watched your video yet I had followed all three of your suggestions and have been successful in cuddling these two!!!! Your suggestions work well and will bring success.
Story time: One day when my sister and I went to throw out some garbage, we heard chirping coming from a shoe box, placed on the floor by the garbage. On opening it we found two faintly colored chicks inside. It would seem someone bought those colored / dyed baby Easter chicks, and then decided to throw them as trash once the colors began to fade and they grew a bit. Disheartened, my sister and I got them home, made a little cardboard home for them, added towels for warmth, and nurtured them to full health. They were the sweetest. They sort of imprinted to my sister and I, and always followed us around the house, and kept chirping until they were by our side. I'd have to let them into the shower so they would stop crying outside the door too. As they got older though, my parents were less and less keen on having them in the apartment. One day when my sister and I got back from school we found out our parents gave them away, almost certainly to slaughter (judging by the fact the only closure they gave us was "They're in a safe place"). I still feel the ache of trying to convince my parents that I had built a friendship / bond with these Chickens. But since we all ate chicken, my parents regarded them as nothing more than livestock. Sort of when people see an intelligent pig on AFV / or a RU-vid clip, and are still unable to see them as anything more than bacon or a commodity. Those were my friends I had lost, and I feel remnants of that childhood ache when I think about it. Many years later that same incident convinced me to go vegan, it's been 5 years now and I've done it in honor of them. :) That realization that I could bond so deeply with a Chicken unraveled all my notions about seeing chickens or other livestock as species to exploit, and has stuck with me to this day. I consider getting pet chickens again. Great video. 💜
I had a similar experience, except I was an adult divorced mother of 2 in my late 30’s. My children and I were living with my mother temporarily. A chicken happened onto her property. Have NO idea what breed, but it was so unbelievably friendly. I named her Dog b/c she followed me all over the property and became very attached to me. When I’d come home and call her name, she came running and jump into my lap. I finally moved back to NY into my own place and when I asked my mother how Dog was, she was extremely evasive. My guess, is that she gave Dog to a friend of hers who had a penchant for freshly slaughtered chicken, when making chicken soup. I felt it in my gut. I was devastated, and mourn her to this day. I truly could identify with your experience. Yvie 🐘
Thank you for sharing your story. How heartbreaking. I just rescued my first chicken from a park. I am in love She is now a house chicken living in a vegan home. ❤
Love your channel! Keep it up! I have week old chicks. First time chicken keeper and in at the deep end. They seem pretty scared of me so far so just being present without too much touching. Can’t wait to introduce treats! ❤️
we set up a kiddie plastic swimming pool in the kitchen when ours were small and sat in there with them. Read them a story and sit with them. They love my granddaughter the most. Not wanting to be picked up or petted, but follow us around the yard.
I love my chickens, I kiss them all the time, I know they aren’t clean but I wash my hands and face after I handle them and kiss them. I enjoyed this video very much!
Ma’am, thank you so much for this video. We just bought a new house(specifically without an HOA so I can have chickens and quail), and the first thing on my mind is how to bond with them and develop trust. I want my girls to be comfortable and happy at their new home, so this video is a winner for me.
Not really. I get my quails at the age of 3 weeks and they others with more than a year... And both groups are so handsome cuddle-addicted you can't imagine. I have quails they call me only to hug me or so they can sleep in my hands because they think I'm the one and only in their life. One see me walking inside the living rooms (so I'm home) and she starts singing louder and louder only for to say Welcome Home and telling the others I'm back. She only stopp sining after I pick her up so she can lay down her head in top of my nose, closing her eyes and starts with her whisper-voice making sounds like a deeply happy and relaxed cat. The age means nothing... It is only how you treat them. All it needs is time and love. (°^°)y Your Chicks are great!!!
I’ve heard quails aren’t friendly...you must have the magic touch. Love it! My chickens are the same way as your quails. It is truly how you treat them.
My van broke down on the motorway/freeway and there was a lone chicken walking on it.So she came up to me ,I shared my sandwich while waiting to be rescued.Took her home with me ,she was so calm and fell asleep in my arms ,softly chirping .Anyway I couldn't keep her and found her a forever home with a couple who are vegetarian but I loved that connection with her for those few hours and I now get updates on how she's settled in with 3 other chickens.
I just found your channel, and I'm absolutely thrilled! How wonderful and informative, thank you so much for sharing this! I have many questions, but my top 2 are: what is that beautiful broad leaf plant behind you (at the 4 min mark), and what is that gorgeous vine covering the coop? Off I go to peruse the rest of your channel and videos!
Agreed, totally obsessed! Stumbled upon her video and parents have multiple breeds, of course the Brama; my son and I are in love and hes got her practically eating out of his hand, in adulthood!! She looks like a T-Rex when running, small wings with abundant feather feet!! Haha 😄 We will lap train her! Thank you Crazy Chicken lady, YOU ROCK!!! NEVER retire from these informative videos, greatly appreciated 👏 We got a chicken sounds app., helps with rooster calls! Can you make videos on feather loss and supplementation (helping parents) and would love what you feed and supplement with, TIA ❤ 🐔
OH MY GOD you directed Ok Go's "Upside Down & Inside Out" music video! Trish that's so cool :D! I'm a fan of that particular video and I also adore chickens. I was doing my ocassional chicken video binge andd BOOM I find you in the feathery side of RU-vid :D!
Your video helped me so much! I love my chickens and wanted to pet them without chasing them. Now they squat and since I’ve been petting the ones that like to receive affection, now the other ones are wanting to be petted too! Thank you for the tips!
I so glad I found you! Five days ago I got 5 chicks. Very young. One stood out because it was doing crowd control. It's the one that leaves the flock and run/flies to me. It's also the loudest. I call it Alfa. I'm going to try your videos. PS I'm really new to birds if you couldn't tell.
Hahahahahaha THANK YOU! I struggle with my hair, so this comment made my day. The curls are thanks to a lot of humidity in the air and my own reluctance to use a hairbrush. I also avoid shampoo (conditioner and water only!) and rely heavily on bandanas to cover the frizz. 🙄
"They are saying they are submitting and would like to be mounted now. Congratulations! They see you as the rooster. Now you have to follow through..." Me - Oh my god... I have to do what...
We say "here chick chik chik" works great and they like to talk when i say it. To get them used to it where they actuallh come, you have to make thw same call everytime you feed them and its more effective if you dont feed them too often
