Handling chicks?

[debilorrah]

Quote:
I grab mine as often as possible!!!!

 

[Firstimer]

Well see the problem is that I spent at least 2 hours today just staring at them proudly and making sure they were eating and or drinking and or pooping and or peeping properly. So as often as I can may result in me holding them a LOT. (And I only spent 2 hours because I spent at least 45 min. building a mini-perch, you know just in case).

S.

 

[nhnanna]

 

[Firstimer]

Quote:
Thanks! I'm really glad I found this site, I don't know many (read "any") people who have raised chickens so this site is amazing!

S.

PS. I just figured out the picture thing... so I'd like to introduce Thelma and Louise:

 

[goldnchocolate]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens!!!

My first set of chicks acted like that when they were a few weeks old. When they were 3 weeks old I moved them to a larger brooder, one that I could fit into. i used to go in with them and just sit down and before you know it they would be jumping up on my legs and taking a nap. One of them would get in my lap, snuggle her head into the crook of my elbow and start to purr

She was a black australorp. I have 25 chicks coming this weekend and I can't wait to sit and watch "baby chick T.V"

 

[chickpeaz]

I'm new to chickens but not to birds, and I'm pretty sure you can't handle them too much. The more you handle them, the more they come to know your voice, your scent, your feel, that scary feeling of being hoisted into the sky...and the more comfortable and secure they'll be with you in the future. Of course, I have an 8 week old (human) baby right now and I'm in "new mama mode" -- everything is being held and cuddled to excess!

 

[kysilkies]

Total newb here with 4 day old silkies but here's how we did it...

First, we hung a picture of us in their brooder to help with imprinting

Actually, this is what has worked for us so far...

First and foremost, NO FAST MOVEMENTS!...We;re always careful to move very slow, our size is intimidating enough...

We then just laid our hands in there, one at a time, upside down and let them come to it...Within seconds they were climbing on it and then they both fell asleep in it!

After that, the hand always goes in slow and at the bottom of the cage...I also don't reach for them, I let them come to me and now they do almost regardless of how fast I move(although I still keep it slow)...

My personal concerns was hurting one of them as I have NEVER held a chick before these so my method was with that thought in mind...Good luck!!!!


>>>>PS. I just figured out the picture thing... so I'd like to introduce Thelma and Louise:

They are adorable!!!!!!

 

[SimplyForties]

Cute babies!

 

[Firstimer]

Thank you all for your ideas! My chicks didn't seem to fall for the Cheerios (I was rather insulted seeing as they try to eat everything else that crosses their path), but this morning I had the pleasure of having them jump into my hand for the aquarium cleaning! (well Thelma more readily than Louise... my littler one is quite a nervous chick)

Thanks again!

S.

 

[pixie74943]

Quick thought...

I heard that your supposed to make sure that chick waterers are REALLY shallow incase they drown.

An idea I heard was to fill the big waterer with Marbles, so they could still drink, but they couldnt fall in and drown.

Just in case, Your babies are adorable BTW