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Week Old Silkie Question...My silkies dont like me! (PICS)

post #1 of 69
2/14/12 at 11:34am
Thread Starter 

Hi all,

We have 8 one week old silkies that we totally adore. We decided on silkies for several reasons: they are friendly, cant fly and are fairly hardy (from what I have read...these are our first ever chickens)

Well...my silkies dont seem to like us very much! I handle them at least once a day to check for pasty butt and to hopefully get them used to us, but they seem to be scared even at the sight of anyone near their brooder box. When I put my hand in the brooder, they all go to one corner or another to try to get as far as they can away from my hand. Once I pick them up,they squirm a bit and you can tell they are scared or uncomfortable. Is this normal? I have tried putting food in my hand and offer it to them as a friendly gesture, but they still seem afraid. Was I expecting too much in terms of friendliness? I really want them to be family pets and to be comfortable with us all. Do I just need to give them more time? How often and for how long should I be handeling them?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Sarah


Edited by ChickenLVR - 2/14/12 at 11:41am
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post #2 of 69
2/14/12 at 11:41am
Thread Starter 

Oh, and here are some pictures just for fun! These are from the day we got them (last thursday) They are 1 week old now.

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post #3 of 69
2/14/12 at 12:02pm

They are beautiful! 

Handle them as often as you can. When you put your hand into the brooder go slow, don't startle them. I usually tuck one or two under my shirt when I sit and watch TV, helps to get them used to you and being with you. Stroke the backs of their heads, chicks love it. Hold your hand over them when you hold them like you did in the photo's, so they can "shelter" under it. Talk to them lots so they get used to your voice. And a tried and trusted shortcut to a chicken's heart: a tasty treat, of course!

Hope this helps. Enjoy your babies!

 

A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked ~ Bernard Meltzer

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A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked ~ Bernard Meltzer

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post #4 of 69
2/14/12 at 12:04pm

pet them and talk to them lots! as much as you can. They will love you forever for some meal worms too!!

Wife to Wonderful Silkie Lover, Mother of 2 Teen Girls, and Chicken mama to Numerous Silkies , Spitzhaubens, MArans, Emu's and hens! One Boxer, White sheapard and My 2 LGD LOL Maltease they  love thier chickens! www.sweetpeepschicks.com

Appenzeller Spitzhauben CLub Of America President, Catherine Poeschl.

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Wife to Wonderful Silkie Lover, Mother of 2 Teen Girls, and Chicken mama to Numerous Silkies , Spitzhaubens, MArans, Emu's and hens! One Boxer, White sheapard and My 2 LGD LOL Maltease they  love thier chickens! www.sweetpeepschicks.com

Appenzeller Spitzhauben CLub Of America President, Catherine Poeschl.

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post #5 of 69
2/14/12 at 12:10pm

 A lot of chicks are very spooky when young, they usually grow out of it.  Just keep handling as the above poster suggested, they will learn to appreciate you more with time.

Home of the world's cutest dachshund, one crazy blue heeler, two cats,
              one fat pony, and many (but not too many!) chickens

              Can anyone tell me, how many are too many chickens?

 



My Chickens
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/1muttsfans-chickens
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Home of the world's cutest dachshund, one crazy blue heeler, two cats,
              one fat pony, and many (but not too many!) chickens

              Can anyone tell me, how many are too many chickens?

 



My Chickens
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/1muttsfans-chickens
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post #6 of 69
2/14/12 at 12:13pm
Thread Starter 


Thanks for the advice! Am I weird for worrying so much about salmonella? Maybe that is why I havent been handeling them more...any advice to ease my worries about that?
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by sumi View Post

They are beautiful! 

Handle them as often as you can. When you put your hand into the brooder go slow, don't startle them. I usually tuck one or two under my shirt when I sit and watch TV, helps to get them used to you and being with you. Stroke the backs of their heads, chicks love it. Hold your hand over them when you hold them like you did in the photo's, so they can "shelter" under it. Talk to them lots so they get used to your voice. And a tried and trusted shortcut to a chicken's heart: a tasty treat, of course!

Hope this helps. Enjoy your babies!



 

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post #7 of 69
2/14/12 at 12:16pm

No advice here (we are new, too!) but... Oh! My! Word! They are so cute!

Raising:

Partridge Silkies

Bantam B/B/S Orpingtons

Working on:

Bantam Silver Laced and Columbian Cochins

 

Member of American Silkie Bantam Club

Member Cochins International 

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Raising:

Partridge Silkies

Bantam B/B/S Orpingtons

Working on:

Bantam Silver Laced and Columbian Cochins

 

Member of American Silkie Bantam Club

Member Cochins International 

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post #8 of 69
2/14/12 at 12:18pm

Yes!! Just as 1muttsfan said handle them a lot and they will get used to you soon!! And as of phycoforsilkies...You are very right!! They loove mealworms!! I have been feeding my chickens mealworms for years!!! Good Luck!!

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post #9 of 69
2/14/12 at 12:19pm

I also need chicken names for my new chicks!! <3 smile.png

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post #10 of 69
2/14/12 at 12:21pm

Oh and mama2my4 what are their colors supposed to be??

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