One way to show affection to chickens is by petting them.Once they get used to you, they usually only allow this type of contact.If you want to pet a chicken, move your body slowly and avoid aggressive movements.You can pet almost any chicken you meet.
Step 1: Don't be loud.
You should not make loud noises when approaching a chicken to pet.You could scare the chicken away from you if you made a loud noise.If you want the chicken to know you are coming, you should make small amounts of noise, but you don't need to be so stealth.If you are helping a child pet a chicken, make sure they are quiet before you approach the chicken.
Step 2: The chicken has a rear end.
Chickens will squat down when approached from behind.This is how they react when a rooster approaches them.It doesn't happen all the time, but when it does it makes petting a chicken easier.
Step 3: Slowly and calmly move.
The chicken may run away from you if you make sudden movements.It will think you are a predator if you move fast.
Step 4: Allow the chicken to know where you are going.
As you approach, make a small amount of noise.The chicken will be less scared when you touch it.If the chicken didn't see you approaching, you would startle it and it would run or fly away.The noise created by your steps will let the chicken know you are near.
Step 5: Touch the chicken.
When you get close to the chicken, slowly move your hand towards it.If you want to get to the back of the chicken, try petting it first.The chicken may run away from you right away if you make physical contact with it.
Step 6: In the chicken's area, crouch or sit down.
To avoid scaring the chicken, you should be as close to its eye level as possible.If you don't tower over it, it will be more willing to come to you.Before attempting to pet the chicken, ask the owner if it's yours.
Step 7: Chicken food can be placed around you.
Chickens will come towards you if you put some on the ground.The chicken will see that the food is being laid down if you wait until it looks in your direction.If the chicken food you use isn't the normal feed, it's helpful.If you give the chicken more interesting treats, like mealworms or table scraps, it will be more willing to come up to you.Mealworms are not the healthiest of treats, so the amount of mealworms you give a chicken should be limited.They are helpful in training your flock.
Step 8: The chicken should be fed out of your hand.
The chicken will be more comfortable eating out of your hand if it knows it can eat food near you.Put a treat or feed in your hand and give it to the chicken.The chicken doesn't have to get too close to you if you extend your as far away from your body as possible.
Step 9: Reach out and pet the chicken.
You can reach out your hand with a smooth movement if the chicken is within arms length.The back area has a soft touch.You may be feeding it with one hand and petting it the other.You have to make sure the chicken sees your hand first so you don't catch it by surprise and cause it to run off.Children are told to be gentle with the chicken.Show them how to stroke a chicken.Make sure they don't hit the bird.
Step 10: You should build a relationship with the chicken.
If you want to pet a chicken that is jittery, it may take a few sessions of persuasion to get it close to you.The chicken can decide when to get close to you.
Step 11: The chicken's body should be grabbed with both hands.
Put your fingers under the chicken's belly and hold down the wings in one swift move.If the bird tries to get away, this will allow you to hold on.Don't hold the bird too tightly.You want to have a good hold that the chicken can't get away from you, but not so tight that you hurt it.If an adult holds the chicken while a child pets it, it's easiest to do.
Step 12: Don't grab the chicken by the legs or wings.
You should hold the chicken in a comfortable way in order to keep it calm.Grabbing it by its appendages will make the animal struggle to get free, and possibly get injured, instead of making it comfortable to be petted.
Step 13: The chicken needs to be moved under one arm.
You can hold the chicken in the crook of your arm if you have a good hold of it.Wrap your arm around the chicken so you can see its legs.Dropping it unexpectedly could hurt the chicken.
Step 14: You can pet the chicken with your hand.
You should be able to pet the chicken's head, neck, back, or chest once it is calm and securely held under one arm.If the chicken doesn't want to be petted or held, it may try to peck at your hand.It may take more than one attempt to get a chicken comfortable enough to enjoy the petting session.