Getting chicks to be comfortable with you

[huntermac0615]

My four chicks are a week old, I just bought them two days ago. This is my first time raising chicks and I want them to be used to me. Every time I reach my hand in their brooder all of them run away

(except one who thinks any hand has food for her.) When I do hold the chicks, two of the four will fall asleep on me. How do I make the babies comfortable around me and think of me as their new mom?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Time.
Chickens are not the same as dogs.
They really aren't an animal that wants a hug. Most get less fearful of humans but they are prey animals and will behave as such.

 

[hxgumdrop]

I have been talking to others about this on another thread have a look and see if it helps https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/884987/how-to-train-baby-chicks

 

[MrSelf Destruct]

I just let them do their thing. I try not to reach for them. I would only grab them if I needed to move them somewhere. After they left the brooder box and went to the coop, I would find a clean spot and sit down and just watch them. Eventually they just started coming around and hopping on my legs that were stretched out in front of me. Again, I just let them do their thing and come and go as they pleased. Then they started climbing up my shirt and sitting on my shoulder and hat. Then I started stroking their back and chest with one finger when they were sitting on me. If they tried to get away I let them. Now when I go into the coop/run I get mobbed. As soon as I sit down I am covered in chickens. If I kneel down for a minute to screw something in I will have chickens sitting on my feet and flying up to my back and cheeping in my ear. They pretty much just need to get used to you.

 

[huntermac0615]

Thank you!

 

[donrae]

Predators grab you from above, they have that instinct. So, that scares them.

Just reach in the brooder, and gently tap your finger on the floor. You can do a little "chick chick chick" call while you do it. Scatter a little feed there first...this is what momma hen does to show them whats good to eat and they'll usually come running. You can use a single finger to reach out and stroke/nuzzle their neck and back, think of your finger like a momma's beak.

 

[huntermac0615]

Predators grab you from above, they have that instinct. So, that scares them.

Just reach in the brooder, and gently tap your finger on the floor. You can do a little "chick chick chick" call while you do it. Scatter a little feed there first...this is what momma hen does to show them whats good to eat and they'll usually come running. You can use a single finger to reach out and stroke/nuzzle their neck and back, think of your finger like a momma's beak.

ok i've been putting some feed in my hand lately and letting them come to it and stand on my hand then slowly lifting them out of the brooder. They don't seem to mind that.