Afraid I'll be afraid

[Chicabee19]

Ok... I'm just going to come out and say it.

I'm afraid that I'll be afraid of my chickens.

When I look at chicken pictures, the black ones make me think that I'll want to run away in a panic if they come toward me!

Does anyone have this sort of scare-preference for chicken colors? I think their eyes are kinda scary

My grandpa had a huge coop and I can remember collecting eggs and eating them. There were guineas, ducks and chickens of all kinds, and I'm pretty sure one of the birds chased me.

 

[keljonma]

If you plan to have chickens as pets, handle your chicks from day one. Pick them up, lift their tail, check under their wings, look into their eyes, hold them, pet them, chat with them.... and do this a little every day, they will be used to you.

Your grandpa probably had chickens..... not pets that happened to be chickens.

 

[Chicabee19]

you're right... I was thinking last night that I never saw an adult out at the hen-house - I don't know who took care of them, made their beds and what-not. My grandpa's girlfriend had a country Cafe... I'm thinking all the eggs went there because they had more than 15.

I really liked the duck eggs.

 

[Akane]

You could start with some bantams. Such tiny little birds aren't very intimidating and they tend to all be very friendly since most were bred to be more pets than producing birds.

 

[ILoveMyHens]

I have four black stars. They really aren't scary, but then I don't have roosters. My hens are pretty submissive and the only time they really want to be near me is when they see me coming with scraps. They do let me pick them up though. I would try to go someplace where they have chickens and interact with them. It might help you get used to the idea.
Katie

 

[Chowder]

If you raise them - you will be used to them and them to you and therefore, not afraid. You'll enjoy it!

 

[ashyannehand]

My chickens will come up to me and take snacks out of my hand. I usually pick them grass and they love it. I have picked them up before but they do not seem to like it. I did not have them when they were ckicks or I would have handled them more and they would be more comfortable with me picking them up.

The only chicken I have ever been truly scared of was a big black roo my husband and I culled yesterday. He was just plain mean and a little crazy!

I like to sit in down on a bucket and let them gather around. I think they enjoy my company especially with the treats. I bribe mine!

 

[dancingbear]

You may have been afraid when you were very small, but look at the size of a chicken compared to your own size now. You're really just scaring yourself, at this point. If you choose a breed known to be calm and placid, and handle them a lot from the beginning, there shouldn't be a problem. They say Buckeyes are extremely people-friendly. Black Australorps can be very nice, too. I've heard good things about Golden Comets.

There are occasional human-aggressive roos, but I've never heard of anybody being seriously hurt by a hen. Pecked, yes, if you mess with them on the nest, especially if she's hatching eggs, but not actually hurt.

I have some broodies right now that peck me every single day as I take the eggs out from under them. It startles me some, but doesn't really hurt.

I'm not letting them keep them because they won't settle in one place, they keep shifting to different nests. So I have some eggs in the 'bator, when they get down to the last 2 days, I'll put a few under the hens, if any are still broody by then. Meanwhile I won't have to go to the coop a dozen times a day to make sure the eggs have hens on them.

BTW, you can get broody or non-broody types, depending on whether you want your hens to hatch eggs or not. Go with a breed that suits what you want. You may still get one now and then that behaves contrary to breed-type, but at least you won't be likely to have a whole flock of them.

 

[Chicabee19]

I really like the look of the brownish-gold "Star" sex-link, and the white "Delaware". I am not scared of them. Maybe it's just the black ones that I was conditioned to!

I won't have a rooster, so won't be hatching eggs. I just want 2-3 chickens to have fresh eggs daily.

thanks for your input!

peace

 

[alalele]

I would recommend picking out your own little chicks if you can. Like from a feed store (don't they start selling them in the fall again?) Maybe it's just me, but I think you can tell even at a day old. One of my chicks that I brought home was a screaming it's head off when I held it. the other 3 would settle down when I held them. The one that screamed it's head off, never changed and I never could hold the little hen. While the others let me. She would not even eat out of my hand like the others.

The advice here is very, very good. Handling them every day and getting them used to it. As they grow you will be amazed of how comfortable YOU feel handling them. I had a similar concern... even though I wanted chickens as pets... I thought their feet were super freaky looking.. even their combs and wattles... now it's not even a concern. I've grown to love everything about them. They are fascinating creatures.

The other advice I have is go toward what you are attracted to visually and also since you have some concern and are new to it, consider the breeds that are known to be friendlier. My BA Roo is a doll, and my Australorps are even sweeter AND they look more like birds then chickens (very small comb and no wattles). Although I don't have the comb/wattle/feet issues anymore. And my BA of course is black... and has the most beautiful green irridescent shimmering color to the feathers.

If you can, pick them out yourself. I do stand by that.. even breeds known to be friendly can have some individuals that don't have the 'friendly' gene. If the chicken isn't friendly, at least to me, it's hard to feel the 'bond' you might be hoping for.