Becoming Friends...

[MEH0806]

Hi there,

I have often read of chickens that come running to their owners, and chickens that are very lovey.

I was wondering at what age this behavior may begin? How old does a chick have to be before it truly recognizes you as its friend?

My husband and I are very sweet on our flock, but they are young still (about 20 weeks). So, we're just wondering if they will become more affectionate or more interested in us as time goes on.

Any insight is appreciated, thanks!

 

[Lutman_Chick]

What sort of chickens do you have?
Mine come running as soon as the see me as I mean food/treats. I hand feed them dried meal worms so I guess as soon as they are old enough to be able to eat meal worm then give that a try?

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

My chickens literally chase me around my property because I have been giving them a lot of scratch lately due to the cold weather. They would ignore me otherwise.

 

[FrankieDoodle]

It really just depends on the chicken. We've had some that love people since day 1, & some who still (years later) hate me. It also depends if you raise them from a very young age. The younger they are when you get them, the friendlier they are. I've also noticed they mellow out a lot more after they start laying. The more you handle them, the more the like being held. Also, like other members mentioned, when they're old enough try giving them snacks. Soon, they will come running to you because you will now be the food person.

This is just my personal experience, so it could be different for others.

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

I hardly giv my girls treats, just love. They come running up to me feet as soon as I enter the backyard.

 

[Vicki B.]

I have about 60 chickens of all breeds they free range our 10 acre fenced property all of them come running every evening when it is feeding time and now most know where we live and wait in the front of the house and will actually walk in if we leave the door open expecting food or treats.I should've never fed them anything at the front of the house because I have created a problem of begging chickens hanging out and rushing at you all the time!
I think chickens come to people for food I don't think they would seek out humans to pick them up/ pay attention to them if it was not for the food. Some of them won't run if I want to hold them but if I am not offering something they are indifferent to the human attention.

 

[aart]

I think chickens come to people for food I don't think they would seek out humans to pick them up/ pay attention to them if it was not for the food.

Exactly.
Tho I have had one bird that would come over and want me to touch her and pick her up, and she was a chick that hated to be held..SMH....only lasted for a couple months tho, then it was just food she wanted.

 

[azygous]

It's true that most chickens will gather in close when they expect a handout. Heck, so will most people. It's the easiest thing in the world to get even very young chicks to come running to you once they learn you're the source of good eats.

More rare are individuals that form a bond with you and seek you out to be held and cuddled. You can't predict this. You can't force this. You can select breeds known to be more people friendly, but it will still depend on the individual.

For example, one spring five years ago, I ordered five Welsummer pullets. They were all reasonably friendly as chicks, but after they hit point of lay, only one of them formed an actual bond with me. Mabel happened to be the smallest of the bunch, and she still is a tiny thing, maybe no more than two pounds after she gains back weight after molt. She will come up to me and stand close, looking up at me, and when I notice her, I pick her up, and she melts into my arms. She's very still, closes her eyes, and it's obvious she blisses out from the closeness. No food is ever involved in these little love fests.

Out of twenty three chickens, all of which are very friendly and easy going, only three others are like Mabel, having no ulterior motive when they seek me out for one on one attention.

For wont of another term for it, I would just call it chemistry. It's either there or it's not.

 

[MEH0806]

Hi All,

Thank you for your insight! Our 14 chickens are very pleasant, and certainly seem happy. I will say that I am noticing they are pretty excitable when it comes to bringing treats/snacks.

Since we are very new to this, I guess I am still learning what to expect from them. 9 of the chickens are about 20 weeks old, so they are probably still getting to know us as much as we are them? They are very "chatty" whenever my husband or I enter the coop, which I hope is a good sign...

It is also very cold and snowy where we are now, so they don't care for being out and about to run around very much at the moment (can't say I blame them).

I guess only time will tell, but I do have a few of my Silkies, a Rhode Island Red, and a Wyandotte that willingly eat mealworms from my hand. So, I suppose that's progress!

I have quickly found myself becoming a crazy chicken lady. I hope they are just as crazy about being our chickens!

 

[jthornton]

I have one pullet Sweet Pea than as soon as I sit down it's in my lap even if there is treats to be had in the chicken yard. She snuggles up close to me and I put my arm around her. A couple of others have started to do that on a limited basis. Usually at quitting time Sweet Pea is in my lap while the rest are running around and chasing each other and trying to figure out where to bunk for the night. When it all settles down I put Sweet Pea in the run and she goes inside the coop for the night.

JT