Chicken tame-ness and flighty-ness...?

[OG_SHAMOS]

My flock is 'really' flighty/wild. Even though I try and spend as much time as I can with them hand feeding, touching, petting/holding...They still act really wild and flighty when I try to catch them.

Is this normal for all chickens and backyard chicken keeping...? Seems like it shouldn't be that common because I have seen some pretty tame chickens many times on many occasions.

Could it have something to do with Purebred-ness...? Some things I have noticed is that the more tame chickens are usually the ones that are more Purebred. Whereas the crossed/mixed breeds seem to be more wild/flighty.

My flock is a mixed breed and I don't really know the breeds background at all. I am thinking this could be it. Reason I am asking is because I really LOVE seeing and having chickens that are very tame and that will let you catch and hold them with ease without too much of a struggle/flight.

Any recommendations on how to tame flighty birds so they aren't as scared/wild...?

 

[itspebbl]

I tame my wilder pullets by just calmly standing in the coop, offering them food out of my hands, but not forcing them. I sometimes do catch them and hold them for a little while. It just takes time, probably a couple months to a year. It also depends on how they were raised and the breeds that they are. If you post some pictures in the "What Breed or Gender?" forum, the folks there may be able to help you ID your flock. Many of the really tame birds you see were hand-reared as chicks, and probably imprinted on "their" people. While your flock will probably never be quite as tame as that, it is possible to teach your chickens not to be afraid of you, and follow you around. However, like I said, it takes a lot of time, and a LOT of treats.

 

[centrarchid]

@OG_SHAMOS,

You are forcing by the holding and possibly by touching. There are techniques even with respect to touching.

 

[Ridgerunner]

How hard do you want to work to tame them? Take a chair down there. The will initially be scared of the chair but after a few times they'll get used to it. If you leave it in with them they will soon be perching and pooping on it, you might want to think about that if you are going to sit in it.

Take something to read, a book or tablet. Initially they will be scared of that strange thing you are holding but will eventually get used to it. It may take a few times but they will get used to it.

Sit there and read, ignoring them. Spend 15 minutes, a half hour or more is better. You can scatter a few treats near you. Maybe read out loud to get hem used to your voice.

Don't expect immediate results. The more often you do this the faster it will go, but eventually they should approach you to eat. Don't grab them or make any sudden moves, be slow and deliberate. You may have to do this for weeks or more likely months, but eventually they should start eating those treats near you. They should eventually come running for the treats when they see you.

You are earning their trust. Eventually you might be able to move without them running away. You may get them to eat out of your hand or fly up onto your lap. You can pick them up and pet them. It will take work and time.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

How old are these wild chickens

 

[centrarchid]

Breed might be important as well.