3 weeks old tomorrow...can I still pick them up?

[newtothis]

I've had them since they were 3 days old but they are starting to fly and still don't like it when I put my hand in their brooder. I am worried if I pick one up I can damage their wings as they now flap a lot. Is there a trick? Do I just talk to them and let them be? They are still so darn cute and I want them to be comfortable around me and the fam.

 

[peachlover]

Don't worry one bit, they are tough. Grab them all you want to .

 

[Higins00]

The more you handle them the better. They will get used to you picking them up and your hand reaching into the cage. When you pick them up put your hand over the top of their backs with your fingers holding down their wings so they can't fly away. They are really alot hardier than you think. You can talk to them so they get to know your voice, my hens come running to me when they hear me talking. Some will be more friendly than others. I say the more interaction the better!

 

[SaltLakeSpice]

I have found that mine can never resist a hand with a treat in it : ) the more accustomed you can get them to being held now, the more receptive they will be the older they get. and yes, bringing treats really will change how they see you. I my little ones like lettuce and wax worms right now. Remember though if you're gonna introduce treats, they will need some grit.

 

[newtothis]

I will continue picking them up. It is just chaos for a minute with all 6 of them running when I put my hand in there! I tried giving them plain yogurt and they haven't even tried it. Lettuce is easy. Is there a way to give them grit? In their feeder with their food or in a seperate dish?

 

[SaltLakeSpice]

I have my grit (I'm just using some sand with fairly large grains right now) in a separate little bowl.

 

[cheshie]

My babies are less than a week old (4-5 days) and I love picking them up and cuddling them! They really do seem quite fragile so I always try to be gentle with them. They continue to run when I try to catch them, but I figure the more I love them now, the more friendly they will be as they grow older. I always wonder if I am traumatizing them when I "catch" them and pick them up because they scream as if someone is trying to kill them. I always talk to them in a soothing voice and try to provide reassurance that I am their "mommy", not a predator, and that sometimes will calm them. I have found that once they are in my hands, they do seem to calm down a tiny bit. They are amazing girls and I can't wait to get a few more (I only have 3 now).

 

[zade11]

my three week old americauna Slim Shady loved being picked up when he was real little, he would nestle under my neck and sleep when i got the 5 others three days later they were the same way for about a week then they all hated it. so then i started putting my hand down next to their front door with a pile of starter on it now Slim will clim up on my fist up my arm and onto my shoulder