No Love

I wanted to hear if anyone has had this issue. I have 6 pullets. Born May 5th this year, all 6. I have a Black Copper Marans, a Cuckoo Marans, a Barred Rock, an Orpington, a Silver Laced Wyandotte, and an Easter Egger. I bought them at one day old. I have been so good to them, since chicks, spoiling them with friendliness, attention & goodies. They have a nice Coop, all needs met. They even get out of the pen & free-range every afternoon. I've studied on them but still learning-Rookie. The problem is they are NOT friendly, don't listen, won't let me touch them. It's hurt my feelings because I have invested so much time, care & money for it all to be successful & my efforts be enjoyed. I truly care for them all.
Are there any suggestions that might help. When they were younger they attempted a little friend ship but they always kept their distance. I hope for some advise.
Signed Sad in Hesston.......

Well, chickens aren't really trusting souls lol

But breed can make a huge difference; usually Cochin or silkie are considered the "lap chickens" of the chicken world. But each breed has their personalities... EE are usually very friendly, BRs pick and choose, they're more "standoffish"... The Orp should be friendlier than the rest, but Wyandotte's are also more standoffish... Not sure on Cuckoo Marans, I've never had those...

Treats. They make a spiteful chicken love you lol... I trained mine with red cups and a mealworm bag.. Feed in red cups, so now no matter what, if I have a Red cup in my hand, I've got about 20 best friends... I have a bag of mealworms that is refill almost daily, too. Shake the mealworm bag and I've got 37 vicious snarling chickens clamoring onto my lap lol... Food

Time and treats; I teach my daughter's to just take the bag and sit with it, and only let the chickens that will come eat out of their hands get any. That way, the chooks learn that they aren't going to get grabbed at every chance, and they trust more when they have to get brave and learn to approach that way. Mine were all manhandled by a 5 and 9 year old as chicks, so that can both help tame them, and also make them scared if they've ever been chased.

Give it time with some treats... As they near lay, they will have a personality change and most likely calm down quite a bit

I have 6 as well. 3 of them are a few years old and 3 were born in March and now laying. The 3 younger ones are all Cuckoo Marans. None of my girls like to be held or sit on my lap . They are all pretty friendly though and come running when they see me come out. Usually they are just looking for a treat. I'm always envious when I see those pictures of chickens snuggling up with their owners! Feeding them from your hand helps I think and sitting on the ground at their level. I also have one Cochin who will only eat out of my hand if she is totally desperate for a treat. Some hens just aren't has trusting, like humans! Good luck!

I can't get over how folks seem to think that chickens will act like dogs.....SHM.
Chickens are for eggs and meat.
Dogs are for adoration, snuggles and obedience.
My advice, get a dog.

I have a dog as well. I consider my chickens pets that I adore and not just egg laying animals. I would also never eat my pet chickens.

aart said:

I can't get over how folks seem to think that chickens will act like dogs.....SHM.
Chickens are for eggs and meat.
Dogs are for adoration, snuggles and obedience.
My advice, get a dog. 

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Well aart, lol, I want to at least FEEL like I'm loved ha-ha, especially since I AM the one that feeds them, they should at least say "thanks" and trust me a little bit..

I don't like dogs, at least not near as much as birds

I've made observations from our own 32 chickens, all of different ages. There is a certain period of time between 10 and 20 or so weeks where young chooks go through what I call "the flighty stage". Every one of mine has undergone this phase, even the most loveable. I had a brood of 16 that would not let me handle them for quite a long time during their adolescence, yet they happened to be the most personable group that anybody had ever met as babies. Now, that they are 23 weeks and all are very close to laying, they have become docile, sociable, and outgoing once again. Hopefully, this to shall pass, Arwenelfmaiden.

shortgrass said:

Well aart, lol, I want to at least FEEL like I'm loved ha-ha, especially since I AM the one that feeds them, they should at least say "thanks" and trust me a little bit..

I don't like dogs, at least not near as much as birds

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Agreed, I am not a dog lover at all. My birds love me more than any other animal I have ever had. Not only do they come running to see me every time I walk outside, but Alex and my Sicilian Buttercup fly up onto my arm, my GLW and Speckled Sussex climb into my lap for cuddles, the same GLW pullet begs to have me pick her up so that she can stretch her neck over my shoulder to relax, one of my BRs rubs my legs like a cat, and my White Rock and Blue Splash Marans tug at my hair. Friendly girls!

-Alexandra33

I can't prove that our chickens love us, but they sure are personable! Arwenelfmaiden, I agree with Alexandra33 and shortgrass: your pullets are likely going through a "flighty phase" and will mellow out around the time they start laying. I've learned to never judge a pullet until it starts laying. In short, there is hope for your chickens, so don't give up on them!

x3 on dogs. I've had just WAY too many bad experiences with them to EVER want one for myself. I think I'll stick with chickens!

shortgrass said:

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Click to expand...

Well, chickens aren't really trusting souls lol

But breed can make a huge difference; usually Cochin or silkie are considered the "lap chickens" of the chicken world. But each breed has their personalities... EE are usually very friendly, BRs pick and choose, they're more "standoffish"... The Orp should be friendlier than the rest, but Wyandotte's are also more standoffish... Not sure on Cuckoo Marans, I've never had those...

Treats. They make a spiteful chicken love you lol... I trained mine with red cups and a mealworm bag.. Feed in red cups, so now no matter what, if I have a Red cup in my hand, I've got about 20 best friends... I have a bag of mealworms that is refill almost daily, too. Shake the mealworm bag and I've got 37 vicious snarling chickens clamoring onto my lap lol... Food

Time and treats; I teach my daughter's to just take the bag and sit with it, and only let the chickens that will come eat out of their hands get any. That way, the chooks learn that they aren't going to get grabbed at every chance, and they trust more when they have to get brave and learn to approach that way. Mine were all manhandled by a 5 and 9 year old as chicks, so that can both help tame them, and also make them scared if they've ever been chased.

Give it time with some treats... As they near lay, they will have a personality change and most likely calm down quite a bit

Thank you so much for your advise! Sorry to not get back to you sooner, old folks keeping us busy of late.
I will get some of the Worms to entice them. They do eat out of my hands and I give them plenty of treats so I personally think they're spoiled They are getting so big that I'm hoping they lay soon. Your advise is great so I'm looking for a feminine bright treat carrier.....Lol!!!