Handling New Chicks

[TheUrbanUndertaking]

Hello! I just brought my chicks home Monday, so they’re 4 days old now. They’re going to be pets (6 of them) and I’ve done hours and hours of research trying to make sure I get them acclimated as best I can so they’ll be confident and friendly as adults. Now the real thing is a little different.

They’ve been amazing, but as someone new to this, I’m definitely starting to overthink things. The past few days, I’ve gently picked them up and held them close to my chest. Each of them falls asleep when it’s their turn. Today, I have one that is just not having it. She’ll be fine for a bit, then try to bolt. I carefully try to calm her down before gently returning her to the brooder, but I’m starting to get concerned I’m not handling them properly.

I can put my hand in the brooder without them scattering, can gently pet them as they meander, and they love getting food from my hand. I have a tall brooder, so I’ve started to lift them from below more, and that helps, but the initial panic of my one chick just has me rethinking my tactics (it’s also incited a lot of Googling).

How much is too much handling? Or is this part of the process? I give them breaks when they’re under the brooder so they can nap uninterrupted, and sometimes I just offer food and pets and don’t pick them up. I keep the intervals short. I’m also planning on setting up a pen so I can get more on their level and they don’t have to be held to interact now that they’re moving around more.

Any suggestions? I just don’t want to traumatize them in my attempts to socialize them.

Thank you!

 

[Rose the Legbar]

Sometimes some birds just don’t like to be handled, it’s completely normal. Just even sitting by your birds and giving them snacks or scrambled egg will get them to trust you.