Can I pick up my babies?

[Danismex]

My babies are 3-5 days old. They don't run from me when I put my hand in their bin, they come stand on it. I was told to not pick them up until at least 3 weeks old or they will die. Is this true? They seem to like to sit in my hand and sleep or hide in my hair behind my neck and they don't seemed stressed at all when I scoop them up. To note: children are not holding them. Just me(Adult lol)

 

[Altairsky]

It's not true, you can pick them up so they get used to you and won't be too scared when they grow up.

 

[SueT]

Of course you can pick them up! It’s good they are not afraid of your hand. Getting them used to being handled is a good idea.

 

[Chickengirl209]

My babies are 3-5 days old. They don't run from me when I put my hand in their bin, they come stand on it. I was told to not pick them up until at least 3 weeks old or they will die. Is this true? They seem to like to sit in my hand and sleep or hide in my hair behind my neck and they don't seemed stressed at all when I scoop them up. To note: children are not holding them. Just me(Adult lol)

They will be completely fine if you pick them up. We pick our day olds up, even my 8yr old son. (They might squeal a little tho. It's just the shock, not a health thing.)

They will only die if you squeeze them very hard.

It is very good how they are acting... That is the sign for future friendly chickens!

 

[Mill Chick]

It’s totally fine to pick them up but just make sure not to keep them out for to long so they get cold. Also children can hold them as long as they aren’t to rambunctious!

 

[PrettyBirdRocky]

Yup! I love touching the fluffies!

*After incubating and broody hatching, our chicks handled inside were much "friendlier" or apt of being handled, which helped when they were older and needed a check over

1 & 2 day old chicks

 

[Danismex]

Thank you everyone!!! I feel so much better!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Who told you they would die? What ridiculousness! (If that wasn't a word, it is now!). How can you NOT handle them? It's a good idea to have children sit down and you place the chicks in their hands or laps; don't let them run around with a chick in their hands, of course! Be careful not to drop or squeeze them, and wash hands with soap after handling. God didn't make these critters this adorable so we could RESIST them, for goodness' sakes!

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I agree. Ridiculousness. Once their feathers start coming in it can be uncomfortable for them if you hold them and aren’t gentle but that’s about all I can think of. They aren’t going to purr like a cat or roll over like a dog but they’re not going to die either. I’m also curious to know where you heard this.

 

[FrostRanger]

Aside from taming them, you need to handle young chicks so you can check for pasty butt and to move them so you can clean the brooder as needed

Not only can you handle them, but you should, whoever said you couldn't is wrong, it's complete hogwash it'll kill them unless you're too rough