Chickens not acting like chickens

[SubArcticFowl]

Hello, first-time chicken owner here, but I have been lurking on this forum for years now. About a week and a half ago I finally got my first three chickens. They are laying hens from a caged farm. I thought they were white leghorns, but I guess they are Babcock hens (https://www.babcock-poultry.com/babcock-home/product/white/). I brought them home in a dog crate, which they didn't want to leave when I opened it in the run. Then I had to bring them into the coop at night as all they wanted to do was huddle together in a corner. For the first few nights, they didn't go up on the roost bar and just slept on the floor. Now they use the roost bar at night but still refuse to go out to the run. They spend all day in the coop. If I put them put, they go right in unless I close the pop door. They stand by the pop door until I open it. They don't eat any treats, nor show any interest in scratching around in the dirt. This weekend I tried to force the issue by putting their food and water outside. Turns out they would rather stave. They ate a little when I locked them outside, but other than that it was in the coop and not eating. I finally relented tonight and put another feeder in the coop. They went to town eating as soon as I put it in. Oh, they are also super skittish and are terrified of me.

Will they start acting normal someday? Or did I waste my money building a run?

 

[Texasclucker]

Give them treats and time let them settle sit by them quietly and "peck" at things with your fingers they will eventually come around I'm having this issue except its with 600 pound chickens my cows I just got don't like me either

 

[Texasclucker]

And also welcome to byc! I was a stalker and byc saved my flock from a respiratory sickness you will find there are lots of helpful peeps on byc

 

[SubArcticFowl]

Give them treats and time let them settle sit by them quietly and "peck" at things with your fingers they will eventually come around I'm having this issue except its with 600 pound chickens my cows I just got don't like me either

Thanks, I guess I just need to find treats they like. So far I've tried watermelon and dried black soldier larva with no luck.

 

[Texasclucker]

mealworms are key

 

[Texasclucker]

do you think you could find some corn mine love cracked corn

 

[nuthatched]

They've never had any of this before, give them time.

 

[rosemarythyme]

You're going to need to let them come out of their shells slowly instead of trying to force them. They've never lived like this before - being outside, being given treats, etc. Leave them food and water where they're comfortable eating and drinking, but leave the door to the run open so they can go out if they want to. It can take weeks for them to start exploring the environment or trying new things.

Best way to acclimate them to your presence is once they start coming out into the run, just go and sit quietly by the run. Read a book or talk softly to them, and let them decide if they want to approach you.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Hi, welcome to BYC! Sounds like your hens have lived all their lives in tiny "battery" cages. They have never seen the great outdoors, or sunshine, grass, sky, dirt or treats. Everything is new to them. What an adventure! You are the one who is going to open up the world to them! But it will take time. Be patient. Baby steps. Leave the door open to the run. Try adding a few sunflower seeds to their feed. Then start leaving a trail of them to and through that door. But don't leave them overnight or you'll attract rodents. You don't want rodents! Good luck!

 

[3KillerBs]

This is reportedly common for ex-batts. Here's a helpful article: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/getting-caring-for-and-keeping-ex-battery-hens.76219/