I have 6 one year old BO Hens, 4 6+week old juveniles of which I think 3 may be pullets
. One audacious and completely lovable 1 year old Buff rooster. As far as being friendly is concerned, sometimes I wish they had a little more of our Welsummer's aloofness.
Not really, but my girls like to mob me when I come into the run and I'd better have something for them in my hands or I will be getting the stink eye from them.
As for training them to get used to me and being handled, I started giving them little pieces of whole wheat bread that I held in the palm of my hand. Dried meal worms work well also but remember, if you are brooding your own chicks, they really don't know what it's all about. No momma hen to teach them, so you will have to be patient. Sooner or later one of the braver chicks will dare to take a peck and that is all it will take to start the 'keep away' frenzy. Patience is your key word. BO's are naturally curious and friendly birds. Once they learn to trust you they will become velcro chickens that are always following you around for treats and will never turn down a pat. Most hens are a little flighty till they start to breed and lay, so once again patience.......and bread........lots and lots of whole wheat bread.
As for training them to get used to me and being handled, I started giving them little pieces of whole wheat bread that I held in the palm of my hand. Dried meal worms work well also but remember, if you are brooding your own chicks, they really don't know what it's all about. No momma hen to teach them, so you will have to be patient. Sooner or later one of the braver chicks will dare to take a peck and that is all it will take to start the 'keep away' frenzy. Patience is your key word. BO's are naturally curious and friendly birds. Once they learn to trust you they will become velcro chickens that are always following you around for treats and will never turn down a pat. Most hens are a little flighty till they start to breed and lay, so once again patience.......and bread........lots and lots of whole wheat bread.
Very flighty and afraid of every little movement. BUT, I do have one very curious little BR! She peeks at me and watches me when I'm in there.. I sit and hang my head and/or my hand over the edge of the brooder... so last night, I got out the bag of mealworms. I took one at a time and just held it in there... hahaha... that little BR is also a little piggy!! She got to where I could put my hand in there empty and she'd come running over. A couple of the Silkies got brave a couple times and snatched the mealworm and ran, but they are still really afraid. It makes me sad. 
But the weather is gross. Cold and rainy. I'm ready for some warm weather!!!
e
I was just thinking bright. I'm betting they wouldn't care if it was a camo tin as long as it had yummy treats in it. That is just adorable about the pink! I bet your BO and I would get along famously! Thank you for that link. I'm very interested in reading it. That's very interesting about the roosters feeding their hens... adorable!!!!! I didn't know that!
