The Right Way To Hold & Handle A Chicken - The Chicken Chick

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The Right Way to Hold & Handle a Chicken

The Right Way to Hold & Handle a Chicken

Yes, Virginia, there really is a right way to hold a chicken. Is it always necessary to hold a chicken correctly? No, but every chicken keeper should be aware of the proper method and use it during exams and bathing. Not only can handling a bird improperly stress the chicken unnecessarily, it can endanger their lives by restricting their ability to inflate their air sacs to breathe. Holding a chicken correctly allows you to examine a chicken easily, keeps them calm and securely supported by their keel, (breast bone) and has the added benefit of keeping the working end of the bird away from you, greatly reducing the chance of getting pooped on. You’re welcome!

(Black Copper Marans hen)

Most chickens don’t care to be handled, so whenever possible, I recommend handling and examining chickens after dark when they’re half asleep on the roost and unable to see well enough to put up much of a fuss. Wear a headlamp or have a partner holding a flashlight for you while you work.

So, here’s how it’s done…with the chicken’s beak facing you and your palm facing up with fingers spread apart, slide your index finger between the legs. Allow the keel bone to rest on your palm and forearm. Wrap your pinky, ring finger and middle finger around one thigh while the thumb holds the other thigh. Ta-da! You’re doing it and the bird can still breathe freely!

Always supervise children handling chicks. They should be instructed to support the chick in one hand underneath the feet and one hand gently securing the wings, and never squeeze. Small children really shouldn’t attempt to hold large fowl breeds; often they try to hold the chicken by hugging them, which squeezes the bird’s air sacs, preventing the bird from inflating them to breathe.

Kathy Shea Mormino

Affectionately known internationally as The Chicken Chick®, Kathy Shea Mormino shares a fun-loving, informative style to raising backyard chickens. …Read on

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Yes, Virginia, there really is a right way to hold a chicken. Is it always necessary to hold a chicken correctly? No, but every chicken keeper should be aware of the proper method and use it during exams and bathing. Not only can handling a bird improperly stress the chicken unnecessarily, it can endanger their lives by restricting their ability to inflate their air sacs to breathe. Holding a chicken correctly allows you to examine a chicken easily, keeps them calm and securely supported by their keel, (breast bone) and has the added benefit of keeping the working end of the bird away from you, greatly reducing the chance of getting pooped on. You’re welcome!

(Black Copper Marans hen)

Most chickens don’t care to be handled, so whenever possible, I recommend handling and examining chickens after dark when they’re half asleep on the roost and unable to see well enough to put up much of a fuss. Wear a headlamp or have a partner holding a flashlight for you while you work.

So, here’s how it’s done…with the chicken’s beak facing you and your palm facing up with fingers spread apart, slide your index finger between the legs. Allow the keel bone to rest on your palm and forearm. Wrap your pinky, ring finger and middle finger around one thigh while the thumb holds the other thigh. Ta-da! You’re doing it and the bird can still breathe freely!

Always supervise children handling chicks. They should be instructed to support the chick in one hand underneath the feet and one hand gently securing the wings, and never squeeze. Small children really shouldn’t attempt to hold large fowl breeds; often they try to hold the chicken by hugging them, which squeezes the bird’s air sacs, preventing the bird from inflating them to breathe.

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Login guest Label {} [+] Name* Email* guest Label {} [+] Name* Email* 909 Comments Inline Feedbacks View all comments Sue Austin Sue Austin 3 years ago

How do you keep fresh water from freezing in the winter. I feel I will be unable to use a garden hose in the winter.

Reply Kathy, The Chicken Chick® Kathy, The Chicken Chick® Author Reply to Sue Austin 3 years ago

I discuss that here: https://the-chicken-chick.com/surviving-winter-with-chickens/

Reply Lassie Lassie 5 years ago

Hi Kathy! Love your blog and refer to it often. I am a first time chicken mom. I’ve read that coops should remain open during winter for cross ventilation and to help chickens accommodate to the cold. I have a long horizontal window that’s right at the roosting bars Should I close this window at night to keep cold air off the chickens or should I just let it open unless it’s windy and is blowing rain or snow in? Appreciate your help.

Lassie

Reply Kathy, The Chicken Chick® Kathy, The Chicken Chick® Author Reply to Lassie 5 years ago

Close the windows. Please read this info about caring for chickens in winter properly: https://the-chicken-chick.com/surviving-winter-with-chickens/

Reply Candis Davis Candis Davis 5 years ago

New chicken “farmer” here and I’ve been reading your blog for weeks now – I learn something with every article. Thank you very much for your guidance!

Reply Kathy, The Chicken Chick® Kathy, The Chicken Chick® Author Reply to Candis Davis 5 years ago

My pleasure. Thank you for stopping by!

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Kathy Shea Mormino

Affectionately known internationally as The Chicken Chick®, Kathy Shea Mormino shares a fun-loving, informative style to raising backyard chickens. …Read on

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