Chicken/human interaction

[JA2626]

Our hens are about 4-6 weeks old, growing fast. For the past 3 weeks we have created a temporary run outside and bring them out one by one for several hours of outside time. They seem to love it, however they do not like us picking them up to bring them there. They run from us, not wanting us to pick them up. When in that run or ever their brooder, when we stand there they sometimes come to us, but if we reach in to touch or pick up, they scramble like crazy. Is this normal or have we spooked them some how? Also, this makes me very afraid to let them out without fencing (which our yard is not fenced in) as it would certainly seem they will run away from us. Will this change? Is there something we need to do to train them?

 

[fiddlebanshee]

Do you give them treats? Try bribing them with some irresistible treats like mealworms, until they get more accustomed to your hands. In my experience it also depends on the individual character of the chicken. Some are more skittish, others are more sociable. Also their temperament changes somewhat when they begin to lay. They become a lot more settled and confident and they don't run away as much, although some keep doing that too.

HTH

 

[centrarchid]

see linked thread. Goal not same but I had to get birds easy to handle. They are still easy to handle two years later.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/388547/training-chickens-for-voluntary-flight