Do chicks benefit from a lot of interaction with humans?

[K0k0shka]

There's no harm in holding them. The stress thing is only if they are very little and on the edge of death. A healthy chicken can handle the minor stress of being held by a human. Hold them if you want them to let you hold them in the future. I think being able to pick up and hold any one of your chickens is essential, because sooner or later one of them will have a problem, and you'll need to be able to pick it up, examine it and treat it, without having to chase it all around your property first and then tie it down next. And, if you want pet chickens, holding is even more necessary. My kids and I have been handling our chickens extensively since they hatched. Now they're 12 weeks old and my kids can pick them up and carry them around just fine. Most of them come up to perch on me. How comfortable they'll get ultimately depends on the breed, too. I have two breeds - Orpingtons and Barnevelders - and the Barnevelders have needed a LOT more handling to get them accustomed to it, and even now, if I skip a day or two, I can see them regress. While the Orpingtons are total puppies who will come to me and ask for attention even if I ignore them.

 

[Phililorp]

Thank you all so much for the replies! I think we will keep picking them up so they get used to it. I agree it's important to be able to pick them up down the line in case we need to check them for something. I think I will change my technique, though, and no longer pick them up from above.

 

[HenneryTheEighth]

Whatever you like is fine as long as the chickens are healthy, happy and safe. I like interacting with them closely, but my husband doesn't. It all depends on the individual.

 

[Orion ZyGarian]

I think that goes for each chick as well, at least somewhat. I spent hours every day for a very long time trying to get two Speckled Sussex to trust me. Eventually they did and warmed up to me. The one that's left doesnt get too close to me anymore. I dont know if its because he's the only one left of 4 (other three left of natural causes) and it's been traumatic, he had trouble integrating with the older ones, or because I stopped trying as much when he went free range.

I have 2 silver leghorns, a BR, and a mystery dark orange one sharing a small coop together now, all about 1 month except for the BR which is 2. All of them are happy to have me visit, and if I dont pick one up, or am focusing on the others, they eventually all find a perching spot on my shoulders or arms. I've given the BR and orange one very little attention comparatively, but they require no bribing or any real effort to be friendly