Chickens are petrified of me?

[threechickens23]

Hi I'm new to having chickens and I was just wondering why my checkins are so scared of me? I try to catch them because they wont lay eggs, so I want to check them to see if they are in a good health state, but as soon as they see me they run away. WHAT SHOULD I DO?!?! They are around 2 years old.

 

[Poultry parent]

Have you had them for those 2 years?

 

[threechickens23]

No Ive had them for about a week

 

[Poultry parent]

Are you sure that they are 2 years old?

 

[threechickens23]

Yes

 

[Poultry parent]

If you've only had them for a week then they still aren't used to you

 

[threechickens23]

When will they get used to me and what do you think about the egg-laying part?

 

[bobbi-j]

The first thing you need to do is stop trying to catch them. Chickens are a prey animal, and they instinctively know that everything out there wants to eat them. They have no idea why you're after them. It can take weeks for chickens to start laying after they have been moved to a new home.

 

[Poultry parent]

If they are 2, then it's either stress from going to a new home, molt, or possibly a parasite.

 

[Poultry parent]

Try sitting calmly around them with some treats. Just stay there quietly for a little while, and if any approach you calmly put a treat out in front of you