Chick Taming, toys, and treats

[Orpington71]

Does anybody have any tips on taming/making chicks more used to you, so they are more docile when older. Also what type of toys could I give to my chicks, so they don’t get too bored? And when can I start to introduce treats to my chicks. Thanks in advance, have a great day!!!

 

[Little Chicken Girl]

Although tameability largely depends on the breed (breeds like orpingtons, EEs and Faverolles are often easily-tamed), here are some tips that I have found helpful:

Provide plenty of space for chicks & keep an eye out for bullies:
Stressed and picked on chicks grow to be more easily spooked, nervous and often flighty.

Food Association Tactics: I sometimes remove the feeder and put some chick starter in my hand to see if any will take interest. Also, I put my hands in the brooder box often (just be careful not to stress the chicks). I like to put my hand in the box and leave it there for a few minutes until chicks get curious enough to wander over. When done often, chicks become accustomed to peoples' hands.

The drops cometh (game):
I discovered this game with some crested variety chicks. I dipped my finger in the water then tapped the wall of the brooder box (so the water-drop stuck to the side of the brooder box and ran to the ground). All chicks I have done this with had immense fun chasing the droplet to the ground and drinking it off the wall. They also anticipated it and got excited when they saw my hands.

As for how long until you can feed chicks treats, I generally side with 'what' is more important than 'when'. Chick starter is enriched with what chicks need to grow and most chicks don't actually want treats until at least 1-3 weeks of age (depending on the breed. Some breeds mature more quickly than others).

After then, I sometimes feed baby chicks little bites of tomato, watermelon, banana, cooked quinoa or other easily digestible, nutritious goodies. Sometimes, I'll feed 2-3 week old chicks a little raisin or a small worm for them to chase each other around for (which they absolutely love). Treats should optimally be given in small quantities.

 

[Orpington71]

Although tameability largely depends on the breed (breeds like orpingtons, EEs and Faverolles are often easily-tamed), here are some tips that I have found helpful:

Provide plenty of space for chicks & keep an eye out for bullies:
Stressed and picked on chicks grow to be more easily spooked, nervous and often flighty.

Food Association Tactics: I sometimes remove the feeder and put some chick starter in my hand to see if any will take interest. Also, I put my hands in the brooder box often (just be careful not to stress the chicks). I like to put my hand in the box and leave it there for a few minutes until chicks get curious enough to wander over. When done often, chicks become accustomed to peoples' hands.

The drops cometh (game):
I discovered this game with some crested variety chicks. I dipped my finger in the water then tapped the wall of the brooder box (so the water-drop stuck to the side of the brooder box and ran to the ground). All chicks I have done this with had immense fun chasing the droplet to the ground and drinking it off the wall. They also anticipated it and got excited when they saw my hands.

As for how long until you can feed chicks treats, I generally side with 'what' is more important than 'when'. Chick starter is enriched with what chicks need to grow and most chicks don't actually want treats until at least 1-3 weeks of age (depending on the breed. Some breeds mature more quickly than others).

After then, I sometimes feed baby chicks little bites of tomato, watermelon, banana, cooked quinoa or other easily digestible, nutritious goodies. Sometimes, I'll feed 2-3 week old chicks a little raisin or a small worm for them to chase each other around for (which they absolutely love). Treats should optimally be given in small quantities.

This is an absolute amazing response and extremely helpful, thank you so much. I will certainly use many of these tricks with my new babies!

 

[ATeacherChick]

Games: From about 1 week on, chicks love to chase things. A strand of yarn dragged on the brooder floor is usually very entertaining unless they are truly petrified of human beings.

Taming: What I am about to say is controversial because it does potentially pose the chance to stress the chicks:
If you are in a warm area, you can bring 2-3 chicks out of the brooder and onto your lap (have a poop guard!) to "snuggle: with you. I usually use a thin piece of old pillowcase or sheet as a poop guard so that my body warmth still keeps them warm enough, and then I cover them with a lightweight blanket. If the chicks don't settle down within 2-3 minutes I take them back to the brooder, but usually they do settle down and I wind up with something like this

Never keep the chicks with you more than 10-15 minutes, and if they begin peeping or cooling off take them back to the brooder immediately. It's been upwards of 80 degrees F where I am at the moment so I don't usually have to worry too much about chill once they're a week or so old. You might.

Talk to them constantly, sing to them, whistle to them. Take your fingers and scratch softly at the bedding--many times a curious chick will come over to investigate. Even the little things can help them get over the instinct to be frightened.

Treats: If you're feeding treats you need to have grit so the chicks can break them down. I like to introduce mine to dried mealworms at 1 week old. I first put some in the food dish, and then drop them on the brooder floor from my hand. Finally, I offer them directly from my hand. Some chicks like them, some don't give a hen's behind.

Toys: For toys, a low, appropriately sized swinging perch duct-taped to each side of the brooder can be an entertaining way for the chicks to get exercise, practice skills they will need later in life, and provide boredom relief.
A white ping-pong ball (the hollow plastic kind) put in the brooder for an hour or so can boost activity and entertain the chicks.

 

[Orpington71]

Games: From about 1 week on, chicks love to chase things. A strand of yarn dragged on the brooder floor is usually very entertaining unless they are truly petrified of human beings.

Taming: What I am about to say is controversial because it does potentially pose the chance to stress the chicks:
If you are in a warm area, you can bring 2-3 chicks out of the brooder and onto your lap (have a poop guard!) to "snuggle: with you. I usually use a thin piece of old pillowcase or sheet as a poop guard so that my body warmth still keeps them warm enough, and then I cover them with a lightweight blanket. If the chicks don't settle down within 2-3 minutes I take them back to the brooder, but usually they do settle down and I wind up with something like this
View attachment 1269270

Never keep the chicks with you more than 10-15 minutes, and if they begin peeping or cooling off take them back to the brooder immediately. It's been upwards of 80 degrees F where I am at the moment so I don't usually have to worry too much about chill once they're a week or so old. You might.

Talk to them constantly, sing to them, whistle to them. Take your fingers and scratch softly at the bedding--many times a curious chick will come over to investigate. Even the little things can help them get over the instinct to be frightened.

Treats: If you're feeding treats you need to have grit so the chicks can break them down. I like to introduce mine to dried mealworms at 1 week old. I first put some in the food dish, and then drop them on the brooder floor from my hand. Finally, I offer them directly from my hand. Some chicks like them, some don't give a hen's behind.

Toys: For toys, a low, appropriately sized swinging perch duct-taped to each side of the brooder can be an entertaining way for the chicks to get exercise, practice skills they will need later in life, and provide boredom relief.
A white ping-pong ball (the hollow plastic kind) put in the brooder for an hour or so can boost activity and entertain the chicks.

This was very helpful, thank you so much. I am currently putting my hand in the cage with food on it, and they go crazy and climb all over my hand (I guess they think it’s special food, but it’s just they’re regular starter haha). Also I’ve been picking them up for a few seconds every day, they are wild and run away at first, but then calm down mostly in the hand. My most dark chick, is becoming very sweet and doesn’t seem to mind being picked up at all anymore. On the other hand I have a crazy chick. She runs away jumps off my hand and sometimes even tries to jump out the brooder! I’m just trying to get them associated with me, they still run to the back of the brooder when I walk in the room, which I guess is normal since I’m a giant to them haha! Thank you again for the tips they’ll come in handy!