D my chicks not like me?

[Attila]

I have 9 chicks, 3 Barred Rocks, 3 Buffs, and 3 Polish, all are 2 weeks old.
I just moved them from the brooder I had in my kitchen into there coop with a heat lamp so they had more room and could start getting used to it.
Every time I go to pet or handle them they run from me and they are pretty fast!.
Now that they are in there coop and have plenty of room they run from me. Do they not like me or is this normal?

 

[rockytop]

Mine did the same thing. I moved them out at 6 weeks. The first time I fed them meal worms they went nuts. Now every time I go in thier run they run up to me - it's great to be loved. But on the other hand every time I open the main coop door or the run door they rush me and I have to be careful. I raise meal worms - my first time and 2 nd batch. U should try it. If you want any info on meal worms contact me. Not sure how that is done here but it's worth a try and much cheaper then buying the meal worms - Karen

 

[Fierlin1182]

2 weeks is still a little young for the chicks to start getting to know you. It will take some time, but if you keep handling them and feeding them, they should grow to like you. My chickens only started warming up to me when they were about one to one and a half months old. Before that they ignored my proffered treats and protested to being approached.

 

[Aeropennchick]

Mine were handled pretty much every day until they were four and a half weeks old. They all come running when I go out to the coop with meal worms (just like RockyTop said!). But only a few of them still want to be petted and snuggled. One of my buff orps will fly up into my lap, but that's about as much love as I get without a meal worm in my hand!

 

[Nsampsel]

Here's what worked for me once mine were moved to the coop & became a bit skittish:

I go out each day at feeding time & sit on the ground in the run (put something under you if you don't want covered in poop) and before I fill the feeders I sprinkle a bit of food across my legs & lap. The chicks have gradually started coming to me & the door when they see me coming & a couple don't even wait for me to sit down anymore before they are pecking my pant legs or my toes wanting to eat off of me. My 5 yr old son has tried this as well but his patience isn't what Mommy's is & he tends to get tired of waiting for them to come to him & tries to go catch them. I don't have too much trouble catching most of them anymore.

 

[Aeropennchick]

Here's what worked for me once mine were moved to the coop & became a bit skittish:

I go out each day at feeding time & sit on the ground in the run (put something under you if you don't want covered in poop) and before I fill the feeders I sprinkle a bit of food across my legs & lap. The chicks have gradually started coming to me & the door when they see me coming & a couple don't even wait for me to sit down anymore before they are pecking my pant legs or my toes wanting to eat off of me. My 5 yr old son has tried this as well but his patience isn't what Mommy's is & he tends to get tired of waiting for them to come to him & tries to go catch them. I don't have too much trouble catching most of them anymore.

Hey that's a great idea! I'm going to try it!

 

[Nsampsel]

Just takes a little patience & a slow hand is all. No sudden moves & let them come to you. Good luck!!!

 

[Chicks Galore3]

what i do is sit with them in the brooder. My very skittish ones are even getting tamer. And it doesn't have to be two hours every day or something like that. I do half an hour when i have time. now whenever i sit i have eight visitors. You know they're tame when you have three fighting over the favorite spot.

( in this case the crook of my arm!) GOOD LUCK!

 

[Reurra]

I got 2 birds who were rescued from a farm about a week ago. One is still quite shy, but the larger one is becoming friendly. She knows I bring treats and is even letting me pet her while she eats, its brief but I can get a couple of pats in before she gives me the fish eye and stalks off. All I do is talk to her and offer gifts of food, such as grapes, strawberries and scratch. Shes the first one to the door when I call out "Bird bird!" Last night i was able to get her to get on my arm and lift her to the roost then back down again. She seems a little surprised, but over all she is becoming more tame with every day. I didnt even get her as a chick. Shes between 2-4 months old.