Chick doesn't like being held?

FluffyColor

Crowing
12 Years
May 31, 2009
2,201
4
254
Queens, NY
One of my chicks, every time I hold him/her, he/she peeps loudly and kicks, once scratching me. The other chicken is calm if you pick her up (I'm near sure it's a her.) Why doesn't this chick like being held? Is that a sign it's a rooster?
 
They're not puppies and kittens- they're chickens. Most of them don't want to be held. There's nothing wrong with you, there's nothing wrong with them- it's just the way it is.
 
Not really, some cockerels are more "cuddly" than pullets, Silkies come to mind. My BR roo was a quiet chick but the Speckled Sussex roo would poop every time I picked him up, I swear he did it deliberately, sometimes having to strain. Anyway The BR roo went the way of all mean roosters and the SS roo is now the flock caretaker, even if he stills poop when I pick him up ( I hold him out from me until he poops, and then hold him.)

Your chick could be nervous by nature - I have ordered Blue Andalusians, to read later that they are nervous and flighty and don't like human contact:he. I understand that Leghorns are that way as chicks but improve with age. I was amazed that the Naked Neck Chicks I just bought are mellow. No screaming when held, just sit there in my hand and chirps occasionally. Not even much running away from the giant hand descending from the sky to pick them up. They are so different from my first chicks
 
Chicks don't need to be held, but they do need to know they can trust & depend on you for good care & attention. In the weeks to come you can accustom all your chicks to the fact that you are the Giver of Good Things. They all may not ever enjoy being held, but they will learn to come running to you at your approach. Be calm & non-threatening around them, try putting a treat in your hand & setting it on the bottom of the brooder. They will soon learn to take treats from your hand if they don't fear that The Hand will come to life & try to grab them.
 

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