Are my chickens defective?

[citykitty]

I know they aren't really...

I just brought them home Saturday from the hatchery, they are 4-5 months. 3RIR and 3 Golden Buffs. All are healthy, eating, drinking, pooping, scratching in the dirt, dust bathing, etc.

Is it normal that they spend a lot of time in the coop, even when the weather is beautiful? They will come out with coaxing, but why do they want to be inside? Still settling in? They have access to a secure run all day. Like today I came home and they were all in the coop. I got them to come out and a couple were drinking like they didn't have water for a month. They could have been outside all day if they wanted. I was at work so maybe they were.

And when will they love me LOL. I know it takes time for them to get used to me, but I can't even touch them. I talk to them, spend time with them, bring them treats, etc. They will come out in the morning because I'm tossing food, and I'm not above bribery. Will they always be terrified of me? I don't want it to be traumatic every time I have to pick them up. Do I force the issue and corner them and pick them up, show them that I'm not going to hurt them? Or if I keep doing what I'm doing, will they eventually calm down?

Just trying to figure out what's normal, these are my first birds.

 

[True Patriot]

Give them time. There were a lot of big changes in their lives. Keep working with them so they feel secure in their new home and family. You just have to be patient and work at their pace.

 

[Chickassan]

Lol! You brought home teenagers it will be a good month or so before they even slightly like you. It is them not you! Perfectly normal, the coop, the snobbery all is right with your girls.

 

[citykitty]

I am starting to see their personalities coming out. The Buffs are much more friendly and curious than the Reds.

 

[citykitty]

Lol! You brought home teenagers it will be a good month or so before they even slightly like you. It is them not you! Perfectly normal, the coop, the snobbery all is right with your girls.

they are so funny. The first couple of days I had to really coax them out in the morning, I would peek in the door to make sure everyone is okay. The last couple of days, when I open the door to the coop, there are little chicken faces right there waiting to come out.

 

[citykitty]

Give them time. There were a lot of big changes in their lives. Keep working with them so they feel secure in their new home and family. You just have to be patient and work at their pace.

I do a lot of work with rescue cats, I know it takes patience and time. And food. I just want them to love meeeeeee!

 

[Peeps61]

they are so funny. The first couple of days I had to really coax them out in the morning, I would peek in the door to make sure everyone is okay. The last couple of days, when I open the door to the coop, there are little chicken faces right there waiting to come out.

They are learning the routine. I have horses, chickens, rabbits, cats and a dog. I feed all of them in a particular order and place everyday. My mom calls me the pied piper because they will follow me from the house to the feeding area. The chickens, cats and horses will do this. Of course, the horses follow along the pasture fence, but it's the same effect.

 

[frostic]

My chickens wont go in their coop unless I put their food in there, then you can't get them to come out lol. where do you place their food?

 

[citykitty]

My chickens wont go in their coop unless I put their food in there, then you can't get them to come out lol. where do you place their food?

They have food in the coop, but I don't think they have figured it out yet. It's a tube feeder in the door. They get greens and more food scattered around the run in the morning to encourage scratching. I leave a little in a bowl out in the run too, they usually don't finish it so I take it in at night.

 

[frostic]

They have food in the coop, but I don't think they have figured it out yet. It's a tube feeder in the door. They get greens and more food scattered around the run in the morning to encourage scratching. I leave a little in a bowl out in the run too, they usually don't finish it so I take it in at night.

Try putting their food outside of the coop, Put it in plain view in a feeder and leave it for a few days and check on them. see if they venture out into the run more.

use a feeder like this: