How To Tame Chickens from the Start

I love the informative text on how we should teach our chickens to be friendly and not be afraid of us. It will really help me with my chicks. Thanks so much for the great article.

Very informative

Thank you! Great advice, and super clear!

Perfect advice!

good article

Fantastic article! I’ve read many articles about taming chickens, and this is the first one that advocates a simple, common-sense approach of daily kindness instead of the usual food-based, hands-off/hands on approach (which has never made sense to me). Don’t handle the chicks, and they will be friendly? Unlikely. @MountainPeeps gives a much better idea: handle the birds , and they will expect handling, be kind and they will expect kindness. Set their expectations for the relationship early and be consistent. Makes sense to me! Thanks a lot!?

Lots of good info and ideas for the next flock!

Great article! The photos along with the age progression really inspired me.

This is a great article! My chicks are 2 weeks old tomorrow and I think we will go outside for the first time today.

Looks like we were about 1/2 way thurough in this with many but, not all the chicks. Good to see they also acknowledged you can teach an old chick new tricks.... (Smirks)

You definitely touched all the aspects in your article.I made similar experiences with my flock. Early start makes great difference how easygoing will be to handle your flock. It's very useful to have friendly birds, especially when you have to check them or treat them for any reason. Our chicks are grown now and we haven't any issues with corraling them back in coop or keeping them together while they are on the pasture.Even our rooster is very friendly as you can see Folks. Patience pays off when you start early.
Great passion you showed.

Great work! This was super enjoyable and interesting! I’ll have to follow your methods next batch of chicks!

I love the mention of the "flying" happy behavior when they follow you as youngsters. What a great article with cute photos to accompany it. I also highly suggest trying clicker training with young birds to help further socialize with them
GREAT WORK!

I've done a little bit of that with my Columbian Wyandottes. They're about 7 months old now, and very friendly and curious. Not so much into cuddling anymore but I've noticed that as they get a little bit older, they don't act so nervous when I pick them up. Of course they've always loved being tucked under my arm for a short walk around the farm. That usually winds up near the the pile of grass clippings and some quality scratching and snack-time.

Overall, excellent article and wonderful advice.

loved the article

Great article!! Love the pictures!!!

This is a fantastic step-by-step tutorial and I can attest, it works! Tame chickens are so enjoyable!

I enjoyed the article. Lots of good info.
I was thinking though how fortunate I was to have tamed all my birds just by the fact I am in the yard with them most of the day every day.
But I am noticing it is a two edged sword. On one hand it feels sweet that they like following me around. But when I reach the bottom ring of a ladder with my arms full and nowhere to put my foot without stepping on a chicken, it gets unnerving.
Today while ripping down a 12' long 2 x 8 on my table saw, I was attempting to balance the board balance myself and not kick or step on one of the four young pullets under that follwedf me to the saw.
I read somewhere on BYC that scaring them one time can undo a lot of that bond of trust.