Can I pick up my babies?

[Flchickn99]

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)

You can pick them up

 

[Toothpick]

I was told to not pick them up until at least 3 weeks old or they will die. Is this true?

Who told you that? or where did you read it?

 

[wrathsfarm]

Just here to say....ridiculousness.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

 

[Mariposalily]

A good caution for handling chickens is good hand washing before and after!

 

[Gezellige_Poes]

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)

Oh my goodness, who on earth would say something like that, not holding them until 3 wks or they will die! Absolutely not true, as others have said, love dem babies, they will love you back!

 

[Gezellige_Poes]

My sentiments EXACTLY!!! Well Said!

 

[Sanderguy777]

Yeah, whoever said that doesn't really think very hard about the logic of what they say. (Not you OP)

The breeders handle them. How does rhis person think they end up in a box and then end up in your brooder?

Also, as others have said, not only is it completely fine to handle them, but you need to. They need to get used to you touching them and handling them, and you need to check that they are healthy and don't have issues going on.

 

[thistlewick]

I just made a post about this.

You won't kill them LOL whoever told you that is a fool

But you also don't NEED to handle them to "make friendly chickens" that's a bald faced lie and foolish as well.

If you want to enjoy the soft floofiness of a chicks down, then enjoy it. They are small and cuddly and cute as heck! Enjoy that!

But it has nothing to do with making your chicken friendly. How do I know? All my chickens love me and I never touch them unless required. I have one that follows me around like a puppy for crying out loud. Never ever ever doted on them beyond hanging out and talking to them a ton.

 

[NNYchick]

We have been very hands on with all our chicks. My daughter was 4 when I started hatching my own chicks. She held and played with the chicks while I cleaned the brooder. I just taught her how to hold them correctly, wash hands after, and she had to talk quietly and be calm around them. In return we always had friendly chickens. She was always their favorite person. Now she’s 12 and thinks she has better things to do than play with chickens.