fear or shyness -- normal?

[HorizonChickens]

Newbie here-(obviously!) We have 4 day old golden comets and amber sex links. at day two they would approach my hand and seem to want to engage. Today, at day 4, they are running away from me- just at the sound of my voice. I am not picking them up, having held each of them just twice since they've come home. Is it normal for all of them to be scared and run to the far corner of the area? Should I be holding them more to get them used to me?

They are healthy, eating and drinking and playing and scratching and doing all the things I've read they will do. They just don't seem to be warming up to us.

Any thoughts?

 

[Kim_1970]

Hi New Chick Parent.

I am a newbie too.

I hadnt been holding them either at first afraid to scare them. But after reading advice here, they are doing a little better.
I started putting feed in my palm and resting it on the bottom of the brooder (phew its hot in there! haha) and they started coming over and eating out of my hand.
One actually pecked so hard in the same spot that I have a small black and blue there.

I have been trying to pick them up and hold them cupped in my palms and close to my chest. When they calm down and relax, I put them back in the brooder.

Hold them and feed them out of your palm as much as possible but just dont over do it.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

You have to get them used to you. If your brooder is not arranged where they can't see you coming you may be scaring them. Whistle or talk as you walk up to them.

 

[Morgan7782]

I am a new chick momma too, mine are probably 3 or 4 days old. They shy slightly when I reach my hand in, but I put some of the chick food on my finger tips and each of them jumped on my hand to eat it off. I hold them probably too often, gently, but more then once a day.

they seem to be doing better each time but may hit a shy stage too.

 

[teach1rusl]

You may already have this, but I had my brooder in an area of the house where we spend a lot of time. That way they heard and saw us when we were watching tv and such. The sound of my voice was never "new" or unexpected that way, nor was seeing us. Continue gently handling them and spending time with them...they'll get use to you.

 

[HorizonChickens]

wonderful ideas! Their brooder is in our 'mud room' shared with two of our English mastiff girls (crates and Xpen areas for kennels for sleeping), with 6 dogs in the house, I thought it was the safest place for them at present. But perhaps moving them into our great room where we all hang out and keeping them guarded by Xpens yet able to view and hear us would be better. Will work on that plan.

Also just fed them all out of my hand-- what a thrill that is huh! They jumped right up on my hand and pecked away- all six fighting for a spot-lol. Will do that a few times each day until they get used to my touch.

Thanks so much everyone- this is so thrilling!