At what age did your chicks warm up to you?

[Elke Beck]

I have 2 BO's and 2 SLW's. They were all very skittish and did the "help! help!" peeps when I first got them, but now at 6 weeks old I am afraid I will accidentally step on one because they run around between my feet. I have picked up each chicken at least twice a day from day one, and I make sure that they understand that all good treats come from me. In fact, they are a little too friendly at times. If I sit on the ground and read when they are around I get the "Watcha doin'? Got any treats?" visits.

My suggestions:

- Handle the birds every day. Ignore the screams and just do it.
- Make sure that they associate food and treats with you by showing them the food and treats before putting it down.
- Be patient. the world is a big scary place with lots of things that the chicks have never seen before, and if they are not being raised by a hen, then there is no one to show them what is okay and what is not.
- Accept that individuals have different likes and dislikes, and it may be that some of your chicks just don't care for being handled.

 

[Meara]

I have one word to say: RAISINS!!!!!!!!!

 

[tinychickies]

If I sit on the ground and read when they are around I get the "Watcha doin'? Got any treats?" visits.

 

[laseterlass]

There is such a thing as to friendly. Over the last week the girls have begun trying to sleep on our back porch in a large tomatoe plant versus the coop which is across the yard. They want to be closer to me. It is rather silly watching 5 large BO hens all trying to climb into one tomatoe plant. I have to go out and take them to the coop or they ignore it.

 

[laceynoelle]

About six weeks or so is when mine figure out Im always the one feeding them.

Theyre all really sweet. Chicks go through a skittish stage.

 

[RedDrgn]

I don't think there is a definitive age. It just depends on how much effort you put into making friends with them. Our chicks were all a little skittish for the first week or so. Through that whole week (and the following three, which is when we moved them outside to their coop and run) we spent a lot of time with them. We'd come home from work and spend time in the room with the brooder as much as possible, even if we weren't paying particular attention to them, we were there, and they got used to our presence.

It's not like we ignored them, though.

We spent time handling them and giving them treats and toys and such, but never forcing them to be held or chasing them (that just gives poor impressions and sets them up for bad habits). Let them do their thing in their own time. Our dom was the first to really become a people chicken, with our BR right there with her. To this day, they are the two most readily picked up and handled and the only ones of three who will jump on your shoulder, lap, or arm for a neck scratch or just to sit contentedly. Our wellie is very nearly as friendly, but doesn't care for being picked up. Our BA will follow us around and allow petting, but also doesn't like to be help. Our EE is the most skittish and while she'll stick close to you and readily take treats (and occasionally hop on you) she doesn't like being touched or held.

Every one of them is an individual, but if you demonstrate that you're not threat and allow them to get used to you, none of them should ever run in fear or give you trouble. That doesn't mean they'll all cuddle with you, but they will at least not mind you being close and just might warm up to using you as a perch if they are given some of their favorite goodies from time to time.