French Black Copper Marans - Not friendly?

[thrustbucket]

Coming from my first three chickens, which were sexlinks and a RIR, I just got 4 baby FBCM chicks.

Holy cow, these FBCM's make my other chickens seem like the most docile creatures on earth in comparison. They are flighty, aggressive and mean. If we get anywhere near them they flip out and look like little popcorn kenrals popping. If you put your hand in their cage they act like it's Armageddon.

They are just over two weeks old and I have spent close to an hour a day sitting with them and talking with them. I have tried to feed them blueberries, lettuce, strawberris and oats. They ignore all of it. If you hold them we get scared because they act like they are dangerously close to heart attacks.

Am I doing something wrong? Did I get a bad batch? Or are FBCM's just naturally not very friendly?

 

[BlackBart]

Mine are friendly but not as friendly as others.

 

[Happy Chooks]

It's the age they are. It's the don't kill me stage. They should settle down.

One of mine just started laying, but they are really mellow. One is almost too timid, but she's a sweety. They don't like to be held, but I'm not one to constantly pick them up, so that's okay with me. But when I do pick them up, they are heavy! Both will come running to me and eat out of my hands.

 

[newTexan2chickens]

I just got 4 FBCM chicks that are 1-2 wks old and they are the same way. I also got 2 hens and they seem much more docile. I have not handled them much yet because they are in quarantine at the moment. They have really nice eggs!

 

[HBuehler]

It's the age but none of ours are real personable want to be your best friend chickens which is fine with me...they are not my pets

 

[thrustbucket]

Darn. Our chickens are our pets. My sexlinks were really sweet baby chicks as I remember. Maybe I don't remember correctly.

Hopefully they calm down.

 

[member 102532]

that is interesting! my 2 week olds are the most docile chicks ive ever had jumping right into your hand to be held!
(Yes i know this is from 2010)