MonicainAZ
Chirping
So I have my first ever batch of chicks, and have so been enjoying raising them! I have 3 black australorp babies who are 3 weeks old now. From the beginning they haven't been either friendly or standoffish, more just neutral to human contact. They mostly seem to ignore me. They will hop onto my hand at times, but don't like to be carried or held. I am just another perch to them, haha.
Since I first brought them home, I've been feeding them crunched up dried mealworms from my hands, which they LOVE. And when I come out to the brooder, they are all so anxious to see me, I mean, eat their treats. And of course they are cute babies and I like having them eat out of my hand, so I often indulge them.
But, my experience with puppies tells me that these kinds of behaviors can seem adorable at the beginning, but turn into really annoying problems if they turn into bad habits when they grow up. Am I on the road to having bratty chickens that squawk at 4am because they want their treats? What is a good way to indulge them a little and win them over without turning them into demanding annoyances?
This morning I cleaned out their brooder before I gave them their treats, and they didn't seem to annoyed. I'm a softie and their big black eyes are compelling! But I can be strong if I need to be. Any advice?
Since I first brought them home, I've been feeding them crunched up dried mealworms from my hands, which they LOVE. And when I come out to the brooder, they are all so anxious to see me, I mean, eat their treats. And of course they are cute babies and I like having them eat out of my hand, so I often indulge them.
But, my experience with puppies tells me that these kinds of behaviors can seem adorable at the beginning, but turn into really annoying problems if they turn into bad habits when they grow up. Am I on the road to having bratty chickens that squawk at 4am because they want their treats? What is a good way to indulge them a little and win them over without turning them into demanding annoyances?
This morning I cleaned out their brooder before I gave them their treats, and they didn't seem to annoyed. I'm a softie and their big black eyes are compelling! But I can be strong if I need to be. Any advice?