New silkie mama

I have just got two white silkies about 4 days ago. The one is around a year old, the other is around 4 months old. The older one runs from me, and is down to just yelling at me and not screaming at me anymore..! Lol
Any idea about how long it will take before she settles down?? I toss them treats a couple times a day(fruit/cheese mainly) hoping eventually they'll be happy to see me coming..!

If chase them to try and catch them stop. Not to be rude but that scares them. Also I just sit down on the ground with food in my hand and sit very still calling the softly saying "here chick chick" over and over softly and eventually they come and eat and the will walk up to me eventually

I don't chase them, just have to catch her in the run to put in coop at night, they won't use the ramp... I do sit out there by them when I feed them treats, so I guess I'll just keep trying..! Thanks!

corymw said:

I don't chase them, just have to catch her in the run to put in coop at night, they won't use the ramp... I do sit out there by them when I feed them treats, so I guess I'll just keep trying..! Thanks!

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Well I hope that you can gain a relationship with your chickens. It's very important and cute

Thanks!!

Welcome to Backyard chickens. Sounds like the grown one wasn't given proper socialization during her formative youth. She'll come around. The reason she isn't using the ramp - maybe it is too steep for her. Also they are more apt to use a ramp with sides, so they aren't worried about dropping off.

Silkies also have their vision obscured by big crests and beards. Sometimes trimming the feathers back results in a bolder, much more aware bird. Also silkies aren't flyers though they can jump pretty high. They tend to sleep on the floor in a corner with their buddies. You may like to subscribe to the "Silkie thread," where your questions will be answered by those who know silkies best.

It may help if you sit with them reading a book or playing soft music. Often chickens will want to investigate what you are doing. What treats have you offered them?

They may come around for watermelon, meal worms (ick) or sunflower seeds. Just don't give more than 10% of their daily ration as treats. They can turn into kids that want their candy and won't eat their nutritional feed.

Instead of tossing them treats have them scattered around you. If they want them badly enough they will come closer and see you aren't going to eat them.

Welcome to BYC! I would advise to sit with her a few minutes each day in the coop and talk softly to her. That is what I did when I had an un-tamed Dark Cornish hen.