Handling Tips and Getting Chicks Comfortable

[Mid-Atlantic Coop]

Hello All,

I am brand new chick owner. They are adorable.

I am curious how often do you pick them up. How long do you hold them in order to get them used to human contact. They are less than a week old. I do not want to stress them but I also want them to get more used to me.

When I change the food and water they panic.

I am guessing this gets reduced over time and they are just babies.

Looking for a timeline or any recommendations.

Thank you

Karl

 

[kwhites634]

Hello All,

I am brand new chick owner. They are adorable.

I am curious how often do you pick them up. How long do you hold them in order to get them used to human contact. They are less than a week old. I do not want to stress them but I also want them to get more used to me.

When I change the food and water they panic.

I am guessing this gets reduced over time and they are just babies.

Looking for a timeline or any recommendations.

Thank you

Karl

They should settle down pretty quick. Just spend time with them. Maybe get down on their level (they instinctively know that predators attack from above, I believe) and offer them some of their feed in your palm. Don't make sudden movements around them if you can avoid them.

 

[Missbc]

I kept my brooder on a table for the first two weeks or so. That way when I reached in, I could move my hand towards them sideways instead of above. Chickens are used to looking to the sky for predators- putting your hand in from above will strike fear in them.

It’s almost impossible to not startle them right now if you’re picking them up to check for pasty butt. Just check quickly and either cuddle for a bit or put them right back if they sound very stressed.

They will get used to you. I spent a lot of time at their brooder in the first few weeks. They do get more curious- after the first week or two they’ll be jumping up on everything so if you put your hand in the cage (I go with palm side down) eventually one will jump on. Eventually they’ll start jockeying for position and soon you’ll have four or five on you.

This batch of chicks is now 2 months old, and they fly up to me when I’m out in their run. If I bend down, there is one that likes to fly onto my back, making her way up to my shoulder as I straighten up. Others choose a more direct route.

Some chicks really just don’t want to be picked up. Unless there is a health issue to check out, I don’t force it.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Hi Karl. Be prepared for a whole lot of differing opinions on this. This is my second year with brooding chicks and I can share what I've experienced so far. A brooder plate makes for a much calmer baby chicken. Your chickens will always view you as a food dispenser regardless of the amount of actual "human" contact. I personally do not handle my birds any more than possible. I want them to know that I am not part of their flock. I treat them respectfully and do not try to make them afraid of me. I suggest speaking to them in a calm voice (please no baby talk, other adults may be listening) and no matter how annoying or aggressive they might get, never show fear. Take good care of them and keep them safe from predators and they will reward you kindly with yummy eggs. Good luck!

 

[rosemarythyme]

With very young chicks I pick them up daily to check for pasty butt and overall health. Ideally you don't want to reach down from the top of the brooder (best option is a side door or hatch) but that's not always possible, depending on your brooder setup. Move slowly and speak softly to them. If you want to spend some time with them, you can set up a small secure area (like a small room, or just make a little wire enclosure) and then just sit down in the middle and let them walk around you and explore you as part of their environment.

They should start calming down once they get a little older, at which point you can start offering treats so they begin associating you with tasty things.