Friendly chicks = friendly chickens?

[Sricher91]

We currently have our first flock of baby chicks. We got them at 2 days old and they are currently 3 weeks old. They are super friendly. My almost 6 year old handles them daily and when she comes in my room they will fly from their perch unto her arm.

There brooder stays in my bedroom and they fly back and forth from my bed to say hello and hang out and then back to the brooder.

Will they stay friendly as they grow into adults? They are all females and all Dominiques.

Picture is of my 6 year old taking “selfies” with sunflower her favorite chick.

 

[lazy gardener]

IMO, Doms are the gold standard for friendliness.

 

[gator75]

In my experience, their adult behavior is very similar to their chick/pullet behavior. Once skittish, always skittish. Once sweet, always sweet for the most part.

 

[SueT]

But they go thru a teenage phase, where many say, what happened!! Don't they like me anymore??? The babies who have imprinted on you and see you as mom, may go thru a less friendly period as they experience adolescence. Not to worry, as adults they will once again adore you.

 

[Sricher91]

IMO, Doms are the gold standard for friendliness.

Yay awesome!

 

[Sricher91]

But they go thru a teenage phase, where many say, what happened!! Don't they like me anymore??? The babies who have imprinted on you and see you as mom, may go thru a less friendly period as they experience adolescence. Not to worry, as adults they will once again adore you.

When do they go through the teenage stage?

 

[red horse ranch]

It depends on the chicken. But just like human teenagers, when the chicks are almost full grown (3 to 4 months) they will go thru a stage where they want to be independent. Not all young chickens go thru it. I've had some that go thru this stage but most will stay friendly the rest of their lives.