- Jun 27, 2008
- 332
- 2
- 141
Hi,
I have 7 chicks that are just over 2 weeks old and I need to decide which 3 to keep and which 4 to give away (to a good home, where they will be part of a bigger flock) and having friendly birds is my main priority. I spend hours watching the chicks interact with each other and I've handled them a lot but its still hard to tell.
The ones that come right up to me when I open the brooder are the more agressive ones (especially a slw who is clearly the top of the pecking order in the bunch) - that will also peck at my hands while I try to pick them up or put water or food in the cage. Two of the most docile and gentle (a glw and an australorp) are also the most scared of being picked up and they never come right up to greet me. What should I look for in these chicks to see who will turn into the best pet chickens for a lonely 10 year old who already gets enough rejection from human kids. I want to have chickens that will express happiness when he comes around them and come right up to him, but not scare him by pecking him or chasing him around. How can I tell?
I have 7 chicks that are just over 2 weeks old and I need to decide which 3 to keep and which 4 to give away (to a good home, where they will be part of a bigger flock) and having friendly birds is my main priority. I spend hours watching the chicks interact with each other and I've handled them a lot but its still hard to tell.
The ones that come right up to me when I open the brooder are the more agressive ones (especially a slw who is clearly the top of the pecking order in the bunch) - that will also peck at my hands while I try to pick them up or put water or food in the cage. Two of the most docile and gentle (a glw and an australorp) are also the most scared of being picked up and they never come right up to greet me. What should I look for in these chicks to see who will turn into the best pet chickens for a lonely 10 year old who already gets enough rejection from human kids. I want to have chickens that will express happiness when he comes around them and come right up to him, but not scare him by pecking him or chasing him around. How can I tell?