Snobby chicks

vasher

Chirping
Sep 11, 2015
162
21
81
Seattle
These little buggers want nothing to do with me unless I bring cheese, then they'll swarm my hand and run off after all the bits are gone. Petting? Cuddling? Picking up? Not a chance you crazy person!

They're Old English Bantams currently creating giant messes in my living room tupperware until they're old enough to go outside in a couple weeks. Is this normal for chickens? I raised Barred Plymouth Rocks in my 4H youth, and I remember them being much more docile about handling under similar conditions. A breed difference?

Options: Keep gingerly hand-feeding them and hope for the best? Scoop one up at a time for enthusiastic force handling while ignoring desperate cheepy struggles? Leave them alone? I do want/need them to tolerate being approached and picked up to look over for mites/injuries/etc. when they're adults but don't know the best way to go about this.

Thanks!
 
You said it right there, it VERY MUCH depends on breed!! At 3 days old my Barred Rocks, penciled Rock run as fast as they can TOO ME AND JUMP ON MY LAP AND CUDDLE!!! My Golden Buff runs too me but is shy, and my silver laced and golden laced wyannadottes run from me Lol. I raised silkies before and I've never seen a friendlier breed than the barred Rock!
 
my chicks think cage bird finch seed is the best treat ever. in order to get their couple handfuls a day they have to put up with being picked up and held. They can eat a few bites of seed in my hand while being held or not but once I have held everyone I put a few handfuls in. Some of them don't like handling but they have all figured out when it is done they get seed

Today two of them got on the cage perch next to my desk because I was late LOL
 
I'll see if I can't scoop them up while they're eating and try and keep them eating. Desire for cheese warring with their hatred of being held.
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For some reason, I thought bantams were super friendly, but maybe the game ones are just a skittish type. They certainly have more spazzy 'personality' than my old birds. Next round, might try out a big fluffy breed chicken to maximize calmness chances to balance them out.
 

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