Handling baby chicks

[FoodFreedomNow]

Kids need to be supervised.  They should sit on the floor with chicks.  Chicks are fast and make sudden moves and tend to get dropped from a height and go splat. Or kids/adults walk around them and step on them - not a good thing.  I remember one bycer  was aghast to witness neighbor kids throwing her chicks in the air to see them fly.  They didn't- ever!

As much as kids love baby animals, I wouldn't let them handle young chicks for the very reasons you mentioned. Kids don't know that a chick could jump out of their hand suddenly and be hurt or killed, and what a traumatic experience that would be. It's just too risky. Honestly, I would be cautious about letting unexperienced adults handle my chicks, too.

 

[ChickenChaser9]

My wife and I gently handled out Black Jersey Giants regularly as baby chicks. Initially we would go into their brooder after having cleaned up in the shower and just sit in there with them until their natural curiosity had them hopping up into laps and roosting on legs. Being still in the brooder they did not get overly cold like they would if they were picked up and taken out of the brooder. Soon enough the bravest ones were jumping up onto shoulders while we would sit quite still and talk to them in a quiet soothing voice. They have grown up to be very acclimatized to humans. Everyone but the Rooster will come running right up to you and tug on your pant leg in hopes that you will dispense a treat. There are few things as fun as being covered in little fluff balls that sing and cherp happily. I highly recommend it. Best wishes.

 

[Cody Pafford]

That's not true! I held mine ALL THE TIME!! I think that holding them actually helps them bond! When I held my chicks, they loved it. And now, they are Grown Hens! So now when I go out there to feed and water them, I can touch and hold them just like when they were chicks! I don't know who you herd that from but they are insane! Hold your chicks all you want! Y'all will make great friends!

 

[carlf]

Heres my answer, that momma picking food out of my hand & showing them to eat it:


Now, kids should be well supervised when handling little peeps. They have to be showed to be gentle and not to let them fall or hold them too tight. Other than that, dont let them get cold or drop them!