anybody else do this?

[missred871]

I have two chicks I take out once a day and just let them cuddle with me, I am hoping that by doing it they will not be nervous or run away when they are grown and I want to get near them or pick them up

 

[chickmeister]

I don't bring them out to the couch to cuddle all snug under a blanket (although that sounds very nice) because I have a husky. If you aren't familiar with the breed they aren't really good with small critters because they love to play and they play rough and I would hate for her to snap a neck because she can't contain herself.

That being said, my husband and I do handle each chick daily and have from day one (well day three for the chicks lol). We have a set that is almost 2 months old and a few still don't like to be picked up but they tolerate it. They don't run away from us when we go in the coop unless we move too fast, or do something like trip, and startle them. After we settle in most of them will come check us out and say hi. A few will jump into our laps if they are in the right mood. Our second set is almost 2 weeks old and are still quite skittish but they are coming along. As far as I'm concerned the more you cuddle them the more likely they are to see you as a protector rather than a threat and if it works for you and your birds you should keep doing what makes you happy.

 

[ronikins]

I didn't cuddle mine quite like that either. But I did handle them every day, sometimes several times a day. Now they're about 6 weeks old and they all come running when I go see them in the run. If I sit down, on average, I have at least 5-8 crawling all over me. Sometimes on my head and shoulders, if I let them! The rooster, though, is very leary of me. We just bought him about a week ago. He's 2 months old and I think the farmer who had him didn't handle him at all. I'm trying to win his trust with treats and patience. May never happen though.

Husband and the ladies...