Friendly Chicks?

[Ornamental]

In light of my impending arrival of my chicks, I was wanting to know if anyone had any tips on getting the chicks used to me. I would like it if my chicks, now and when they get older, didn't flee in terror every time they seen me. It would also be a huge help because I want to free range but I am worried that they will get scared and fly the fence to my neighbor's yard. He has shot my chickens before because they were on his property. If anyone could give me some advice that would be fantastic!

 

[Pork Pie]

Just spend time with them, talk to them gently and offer the odd treat now and again from your hand - seems to work for me. It also works even with adults birds that join my flock. The odd one or two will not be friendly regardless of what you try, but the majority should be fine.

Good luck
CT

 

[Ornamental]

Ok I will definitely try this, because I would really hate for anything to happen to them. I am getting some of my favorite breeds I've wanted since I was a kid and apparently no one around here has them. I'm hoping to have good luck with them. From what I have read on here the breeds I am getting all seem pretty sweet and people oriented which is good. Thank you so much!

 

[mrv19]

I would suggest brooding indoors. We have 4, and due to the small flock size they havent been messy or dusty so we were able to brood in an area of the house where we are contantly present. We sat by them, talked to them, rested our hands in the brooder. By under 2 weeks old they were hoppinh onto us to roost and now by 3 weeks old they are almost annoyingly tame lol. They push each other out of tge way to get attention. We never used treats or food to tame them either. Just simple handling..often

 

[azygous]

I recommend brooding outdoors in your coop or run under the heating pad system. (See "Mama Heating Pad for the Brooder" thread.

My chicks couldn't be more friendly and manageable. They didn't have the confinement of a brooder in which to be terrorized by disembodied hands diving at them like hawks from the sky. The large pen in which they grew up permitted me to get in with them, sit down, and let them explore my lap, legs, arms and shoulders.

Being able to take in all of me, rather than simply scary hands, they grew up trusting and calm.

See my article on brooding outdoors linked below under "Articles by Azygous" complete with information and photos. If you want well adjusted chickens, this is a good way to achieve that result.

By the way, chickens will always try to get to the places they shouldn't go unless they are confined to your property. If I had experienced having my chickens killed by a cranky neighbor, I would invest in an electric poultry fence to keep them safe.

 

[Ornamental]

Thank all of you so much. I think I will definitely use tips from all of you! Those ideas are fantastic and I hope I can have a lot of fun raising my babies.

 

[Jensownzoo]

My current 2-3 week old chicks were all pretty timid with me until last night when they were offed live meal worms. Now they're eating out of my hand, one of them perches on my arm...I guess it just finally clicked that I was the "food-bringer". i will be handling for leg banding this weekend and have picked up a tub of waxworms in anticipation...those worked extremely well with the last bunch. They are 10 weeks old and run toward me when they see me!

 

[Ornamental]

When I had my previous flock, before we hand an unfortunate incident with hawks and my neighbor, they all came running for me and acted basically like dogs. I'm hoping that I can get these to become like that. Worms are probably a great idea so I will be going to get them!

 

[BertandMary]

The bringer of treats becomes a chicken friend.