Buying full-grown hens, will they bond with me?

[cnotche]

I am new to raising chickens and will be getting my first two tomorrow from a breeder, full-grown currently laying RIRs (hatched July '13). Since I am buying them as adults, I am wondering if they will get comfortable with me or if they will stay aloof or whatnot. From reading a lot of posts on this forum, it seems every chicken has their own personality! I wish I could raise some chicks but I thought getting a couple of full-grown hens would be easier for me to get into the swing of things. I like the idea of handling a chick from day one so they always "know" you. Should I also expect a pause in their laying until they get acclimated to their new home? I have read (somewhere, amid the books and posts I have perused haha) that they should be kept in their coop/run for two weeks to imprint it as 'home' for them. Any advice or stories are well appreciated!

Thank you!

 

[CrazyChookLady5]

getting fully grown and matured hens, will be a lot harder to bond with then baby chicks, but it is possible many people on BYC(bachyard chickens) have done this before, personally i never have. and (i think) the hens will stop laying for a couple of day or until they have gotten use to their new home!

 

[realsis]

The hen should still get used to you and form a bond. A lot does depend on her own unique personality too. If she's a sweet girl you shouldn't have any problems. I had older ones I've gotten and they eventually bonded. Just don't give up and keep trying.

 

[Realtree4]

I "adopted" 5 full grown hens last fall and worried about the same thing. They all follow me around like puppies now, one will even jump on my lap. I figure that they just relate to me as the one that brings the food

 

[cnotche]

Thanks! It took them like 5 mins to get inside their little "house" in the coop and then they pretty much stayed in there while my 13 y/o son just sat and stared at them haha. I dubbed them Ruby and Amber. One of them laid an egg while being transported in their box, but I'm not counting that as my "first egg".

 

[cnotche]

I "adopted" 5 full grown hens last fall and worried about the same thing. They all follow me around like puppies now, one will even jump on my lap. I figure that they just relate to me as the one that brings the food

I'd love for them to follow me around while I mess around the backyard. That'd be so cute! But if not, oh well I guess. If I do pretty well with these ladies, I'll branch out and get a couple of pullets next season, really hand raise them and see if that makes any difference

 

[cafarmgirl]

I'm sure these two will come around. The RIR's I've had were always very sociable with me and tame, they really didn't mind at all being picked up and petted. Just bribe them a lot with some healthy treats and they'll soon be coming right to you.