grumpy peeps?

[mrsruvi]

ok, im on day two and my new chicken fuzz is showing, so to speak!

is it normal to have anxiety that your chicks dont like you? i know they are chicks but they are pretty much scared of me it seems. i dont want to keep bothering them and make them resent me, but im pretty sure chicken emotions are not this complicated. and my poor girl with pasty butt is going to hate me by the end of this! i just keep wiping her poor little booty...

 

[Anianna]

Well, chickens are pretty chicken.

You can make her a little more comfortable by using a damp rag or running her bottom under gently running warm (not hot) water at the sink to make the poo come off easier. Also, once she is clean and dry, use a Q-tip to gently apply some olive oil to the fluff around her vent to help keep poos from continuing to stick.

It's natural for them, especially as chicks, to be afraid of you. Try to get down to their level, if you can, and that makes them feel more comfortable.

 

[limabean]

I'm new at this too, but I fell to the temptation to ignore the naysayers (some say to wait till older) and started giving my chicks treats at about 12 days old......HELLO, MEALWORMS! Way to a chickens heart = THROUGH IT'S STOMACH. They adore me and my 5 year old son now. The first time with the mealworms they were shy & uncertain, so we just ended up leaving the worms on a dish and letting them get to it in their own time. Second time, we hand fed (letting the mealworms warm up first so they'd wiggle). Ever since then, the chicks come running when either my son or I come near the cage.

 

[mrsruvi]

Quote:
so im a little concerned about her little booty because it doesnt have feathers at all right now. the skin around the vent is getting crusty. today it was a little chapped. ive been putting aquaphor on it...

 

[HennyPennyHenHouse]

Your chicks will learn who mommy is and who brings the food. I had the same anxiety that they would always be scared but now, 4 short weeks later, they will walk right up and perch on my arm. Enjoy them while they are small. They grow so fast!

 

[Anianna]

Quote:
She doesn't have feathers there because they came out with the stuck on poos when you cleaned them off. That shouldn't be a problem once the pasty butt clears up. Just keep cleaning, drying, and applying olive oil and she should improve in a matter of days.

 

[Gardeninggranny]

Your chicks are acting perfectly normal. Try leaving them alone for a few days except to feed and water them and watching from a distance. Chickens are not puppies. You are a giant predator to them. Be patient and they will learn not to fear you. The mealworm trick is a good idea, but don't overdo treats, chicks need that balanced diet.