"Handling" Babies

[Eryniel]

Long story short, I ordered only 7 babies from a hatchery, and now I have 17! They are such adorable bundles of fluff! But, with the rather massive influx of babies, I was wondering how much "handling" is recommended to keep them all tame/friendly? I plan on handling them as much as possible, but with a 9-5, I was curious what other peoples experience has been.
I am planning on getting rid of some by giving them to friends, but will wait until they are fully feathered. I do (fortunately!) have space at the moment.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Larger broods do allow the chicks to bond more with each other than humans.

If your intent is to make your chickens pets, then I would give away the excess now so that others likewise can bond with their chicks.

On the other hand, if your idea of a friendly chicken is one that comes running to you when you go out with the treat bucket and then follows you around in the yard, all you have to do is be the treat person. Flock size doesn't matter much then. The bolder ones will run up to you and often allow handling which will encourage the shyer ones as well.

However, even with frequent handling as chicks, many birds become more stand offish during their teen months until point of lay. Some revert to purely flock behavior, especially for keepers who work most of the day, which I personally find is healthy for the bird.

Never force a chick (or adult bird for that matter) to be handled if it doesn't want to be. Also avoid the big hand coming down from the sky as that will kick in their prey instincts to run. Lay your hand flat on the ground with palm up, holding treats, and you will have adoring chicks.

As they grow, make verbal sounds (cluck cluck or chook chook) when you approach the pen, and use a treat bucket to draw them to you. Always allow them to approach at their initiative. You will soon have several who adore being picked up and petted, while others, not so much but will tolerate it.

I have no problem with them admiring me merely for the treat bucket. I am not looking for lap pets in my chickens.

If, though, you wish lap pets, then consistent, friendly handling is required understanding that some birds will never truly appreciate being petted.

LofMc

 

[Eryniel]

Thank you for the detailed reply! That was exactly what I needed to know.
I already have 4 chicks that are about 10 weeks, and of them they all will “allow” me to pick them up... but only 1 actually enjoys it. So that makes perfect sense.

 

[SueT]

It looks like you have different breeds so you can tell at least some of them apart. You could pick a couple to be the handled ones, tame them, lavish your attention on them, and the others will want in on it too. Monkey see monkey do is true for chicks as well.

 

[Chickassan]

Be aware some may change their minds too lol! Might not like it today but love it tomorrow and vice versa. Everyone is spot on about teenagers though, they're going to hate you but they'll get over it eventually.

 

[TattooedChicks]

I often just sit in my brooder for an hour or two and let them come to me. I cover my hands in stuff they will like to eat and always reach from below to scoop them up and not make them panic. Here are some of my chicks at two weeks old having a nice little handling exposure session. There are more videos of how I handle my chicks too.
https://instagram.com/p/BfPNRv7nlba/

And I agree with the teenage bird part, I like to handle mine up to 2-3 months old then I pretty much keep it to only when I need to touch them for health checks. After they start laying many come back to me of their own volition and comfort. The rest at least find me tolerable.

 

[Eryniel]

It looks like you have different breeds so you can tell at least some of them apart. You could pick a couple to be the handled ones, tame them, lavish your attention on them, and the others will want in on it too. Monkey see monkey do is true for chicks as well.

That’s a good idea. And yes, I have EE’s, Barred Rocks, RIR, Black sex links, Cuckoo Marans, and Black Sumatra’s.

 

[SueT]

I currently have 5 chicks, 2 weeks old, and I actually don't try to pick them up. But they are all accustomed to me reaching in from the side, and picking up the thermometer, the food bowl, putting grit out, adding shavings. Sometimes I just hold my hand in amongst them and they like to peck at it. They have no fear of my hand and I can push them to the side if they're in the way of what I'm doing, I can touch them from beneath, and make them walk over my fingers. I also open the door and put my face to the opening and talk to them and they'll run up to say hello. I have them used to the camera so I can take pics of them growing up. This is how I 'handle' them.