Are my chickens defective?

[frostic]

Can you post pictures of your coop/run?
How old are the chickens?
Do they have a heat source?
pictures of the chicks?
If they are small you should have them inside till they are fully feathered, either with a heat lamp or other way to keep them at 90 in direct light and 80 to 75 furthest away from it.

 

[citykitty]

Can you post pictures of your coop/run?
How old are the chickens?
Do they have a heat source?
pictures of the chicks?
If they are small you should have them inside till they are fully feathered, either with a heat lamp or other way to keep them at 90 in direct light and 80 to 75 furthest away from it.

They are 4-5 months, fully feathered, I got started birds. They don't need a heat source, it's warm here and not cold at night. They put themselves to bed every night, I just close the coop door behind them. It's hard to see in the pic but there is a double layer of 1/4" hardware cloth screwed in over the window. Hardware cloth is also buried from under the pavers to 3' out all the way around. All doors double lock with a latch and key, and the door to the run has two latches, one on the bottom and one 3' up. You have to open both to open the door. Run is all welded wire. Coop also has vents on either side at the top that are hard to see in the pic. They can also get under the coop but it's blocked off until they are more comfortable. This pic was taken before the cover was on the run too. Wood chips inside. They also have a dust bath with a lid, just an earlier pic.

 

[rosemarythyme]

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.

This is still very new to them so understandably they're frightened. And because they're a little older, it might take more time and effort to befriend them as opposed to very young chicks. They're also at that age where they naturally might want to distance themselves from humans.

All that said, no matter the age, slow and patient (and bribery) is the way to a chicken's heart. Sit down on a chair or on the floor of the run with them, but don't try to touch them. Feel free to read or have a cup of tea, just be in their presence without looming over them or chasing after them. If you want, talk to them softly. If the chickens are willing to take treats, you can try getting them to take them from your hand... if they're too scared to do so, toss them on the ground close to the chicken at first, then shorten the distance so the chickens are having to get closer to you. Once they're willing to eat from your hand you can try lightly stroking their chests if you want.

Most chickens don't like being picked up or even touched (especially in this teen phase), so don't take offense if they run if you try and touch them. Doesn't mean they don't like you, it's just how many chickens are.

 

[citykitty]

I don't expect them to be lap chickens (I wish!!!), but I do need to get them used to being handled in case I have to treat them for something and for routine checkups. I have a chair in there, I'll sit and just hang out, and bribe them with food.

 

[aart]

but I do need to get them used to being handled in case I have to treat them for something and for routine checkups.

Handle them off the roost at night well after dark, they're easier to catch then
Not sure if you can get inside that coop tho.
You may already know this but....
Use both hands to hold wings against body when you pick them up, then the football hold. Talk softly, be calm and decisive, touch them all over, then replace onto roost, again using both hands to hold wings until their feet are stable, then slowly let go. This will get them used to being touched and to your voice, and that they won't 'die'.

 

[citykitty]

Handle them off the roost at night well after dark, they're easier to catch then
Not sure if you can get inside that coop tho.
You may already know this but....
Use both hands to hold wings against body when you pick them up, then the football hold. Talk softly, be calm and decisive, touch them all over, then replace onto roost, again using both hands to hold wings until their feet are stable, then slowly let go. This will get them used to being touched and to your voice, and that they won't 'die'.

I can reach into the coop through the man door and get to the whole thing. I'll try at night in a week or two when they are more settled. Every day they are a little more comfortable with me. I just love their little chicken feet so much!

 

[Peeps61]

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?

Mine have feeders inside the run, and I have a separate feeder for my young flock outside of the run. I feed them in the mid-morning before I go to work. I have about 40 chickens so I have to use multiple feeders.

 

[Peeps61]

This is still very new to them so understandably they're frightened. And because they're a little older, it might take more time and effort to befriend them as opposed to very young chicks. They're also at that age where they naturally might want to distance themselves from humans.

All that said, no matter the age, slow and patient (and bribery) is the way to a chicken's heart. Sit down on a chair or on the floor of the run with them, but don't try to touch them. Feel free to read or have a cup of tea, just be in their presence without looming over them or chasing after them. If you want, talk to them softly. If the chickens are willing to take treats, you can try getting them to take them from your hand... if they're too scared to do so, toss them on the ground close to the chicken at first, then shorten the distance so the chickens are having to get closer to you. Once they're willing to eat from your hand you can try lightly stroking their chests if you want.

Most chickens don't like being picked up or even touched (especially in this teen phase), so don't take offense if they run if you try and touch them. Doesn't mean they don't like you, it's just how many chickens are.

Great advice, especially for started birds. Even the chicks that I have raised to adulthood are leery of my touching them too much. My favorite is Brahma hen that comes to "talk" with me whenever I am visiting them. She'll come up to me and cluck in various tones depending on what she wants. It's funny sometimes.

 

[frostic]

I don't expect them to be lap chickens (I wish!!!), but I do need to get them used to being handled in case I have to treat them for something and for routine checkups. I have a chair in there, I'll sit and just hang out, and bribe them with food.

i was thinking that it was a heat issue, thats why i asked for pics but your coop is like in the perfect spot. just give them time. sit on the ground at their level for best results in getting them to know you. Don't rush it as you are new to them and the coop is nw too. they will settle in eventually. best way i found, feed them corn out of your hands while sitting on the ground so they feel likr you are not a threat.

 

[frostic]

Great advice, especially for started birds. Even the chicks that I have raised to adulthood are leery of my touching them too much. My favorite is Brahma hen that comes to "talk" with me whenever I am visiting them. She'll come up to me and cluck in various tones depending on what she wants. It's funny sometimes.

mine sound like they are yelling at me. one of them is sweet and you can hold her but the other 2 are mean as can be I got them at 4 weeks old. now they are 17 weeks old and close to laying eggs!