No Progress: Is Chicken Raising Just Endless Poop Clean Up With NO Rewards?

I have hit a brick wall with my chickens and it's making me wonder if this is even worth it.

I've had my chickens (Blue Orpington) now for about 5 weeks. I spend, at this point, at least one hour a day trying to "bond" with them. I've been free-ranging them for the last two weeks. Not a total free-range, but a supervised free-range in the late afternoon/early evening anywhere from an hour to three hours. During that time I sit on the ground and feed them from my hand and from a small bowl I prop next to my leg. Additionally my husband and I forage "with" them, by moving stuff in the yard to show them bugs.

But here's the thing-EVERY DAY it feels like I'm starting all over again gaining their trust!!! The most progress I've made is, they'll walk on my leg to get the food I bring out to bond with them. I don't DARE touch them. They scream and act like I'm poking them with a hot stick!!!

When we first bought them (they were about 9 weeks old at the time), we tried a routine in their coop where I would clean the coop, then my husband and I would each hold one chicken (which was horrifying to them), then we would follow up with a treat. This was SO stressful for everyone involved I gave up. So I started on the approach I discussed above. Today we finally tried to hold one again and she just screamed and acted like I couldn't do anything worse to anyone ever.

I bought Blue Orps because I read they are "friendly" and "like people" and "make good pets". What on earth am I doing wrong here? Or do I just have a particularly difficult bunch? I really need advice. These chickens were meant to be my little friends to help me get through some other things happening in my life but so far this is not very pleasant. Is chicken raising just endless poop clean up with no rewards?

If you're a gardener, the poop is the reward! When your girls start laying, they will be a bit more friendly. But, chickens are... chickens! And some may never become the cuddlers that you are looking for. For that, you need a dog or a cat. I'd recommend that when you pick up a chicken, you hold it securely, with the wings tucked in. Then, you can gently stroke the back of the neck, pulling back a bit on the hackle feathers as you go. They also like to have their jaw line stroked, (like a cat) and their wattles and ear lobes stroked. Some chickens will eventually settle in and close their eyes and enjoy the facial massage. Some will even purr. I have one hen who used to jump up on the perch when I was near, and lean in for a "facial". You might want to lower your expectations for now. Just enjoy sitting with them and enjoy seeing the world through the eyes of a chicken. There's a lot of relaxation and therapy to be had just from watching them do their chickeny things.

This is normal. One day they may be really cuddly or not. Chickens are prey animals and very aware that they are. They are also very aware that humans are predators, so gaining their trust will take time. Chickens are not the touchy-feely type. You have to learn to respect their space. They will appreciate spending time with you if you don't force physical contact with them. They'll come to you when they want attention.

Try just watching them foraging, admiring their habits and feathers, their natural beauty, their sounds, even their instincts.
Don't give up on them; chickens are the sort of creature that will always surprise you.

They do mellow out a bit once they start laying. Young chickens are pure instinct. In their heads, everything wants to eat them. They tend to be more accepting of people if they are raised from day 1 inside in a brooder. With older chicks that you did not raise, you will need to spend a lot more time with them than 1 hour a day. They may never be snuggle chickens. Most aren't. If you get to the point where one or two will follow you around as you work in the garden, you're doing great. Remember that they are birds, not cats or dogs. They aren't the same kind of 'pet,' so don't expect the same kind of behavior.

Most chickens do no like to be touched. I raised my birds from egg and held them for hours every day as chicks, but they behave the same as yours now. Being able to hand feed them seems to be as good as it gets for most standard breeds. My sister has some Golden Comets that don't even squack when you pick them up, although they still prefer not to be touched.

Anyways, I think chickens don't make the best pets for this reason. They usually don't form a bond like true pets. Perhaps that is for the best, considering it would be hard to slaughter an animal that was smarter and more emotional. Like other livestock--cows, pigs, sheep--they just sort of do their thing, and while they coexist with humans, they stick to their own kind.

I've learned to appreciate my chickens from a distance, and laugh at their silly antics. Look but do not touch is the rule.

I think 5 weeks is too short of a time to tell if it's worth it.

Many people have opinions on how to handle chicks. I have read one option of letting them come to you. If you force contact on them, they will want to avoid you every time you are near. Perhaps just continuing the routine and also sitting around with treats/food near you might make them not run away at your presence. I've had mine since they were one week old and they have their days when they want nothing to do with me.

It may be a little more scary for them depending on how much they were handled those first 9 weeks before you got them. But yes, our older ones are more friendly than the younger ones. X2 to holding them over the wings so they are secure, if you can hold them close to you that helps too. And usually their legs will relax, if they don't relax, give them a place to stand while you hold them, like on your leg if you are sitting, or if you can hold them in one hand and cradle with the other arm. Mostly I enjoy just watching ours interact and run away from silly things that seem scary (like the feed bucket they see every single day.)
Search for the deep litter method. I clean out our coop twice a year and add more pine shavings another two times a year. I actually just did a clean out today, and there is zero smell, just a rich ground up compost with an earthy smell. That will seriously save your sanity!
And yes like the feed bucket, some of them never learn what or who is safe. On the contrary we have one tiny little guy who isn't afraid of anything and is always the first one to charge towards something new like it's the most exciting thing in the world. He is going to be GREAT the first time he meets a predator (sarcasm)

I love watching my chickens!! And they always hang out near me when I'm outside. I can get within about an inch or so of touching them, but any closer and they want NO part of it. One does eat of of my hand and jump on my leg sometimes, the other does not.
My cat, however hugs and cuddles with me every night! Lol I just appreciate my chickens for what they do give me. Entertainment and eggs. I'd definitely miss them if they were gone.

Thanks to all who replied. I was so frustrated last night, feeling like I'm a chicken feeding, poop cleaning machine. Lol! But the thoughts you all shared on your own experiences really helped me put it all in perspective. Thank you.

Glad we could help!