hello from south central indiana

[ms2rt]

Hi everyone. Not sure how well this is going to work out but i recently acquired 3 new hampshire reds and 2 rhode island reds. I currently have them in my basement in a crate with heat lamp and i think i have a reasonable plan to build an inexpensive coop and run. My first question has to do with temperament of the breeds. I have read that both breeds are friendly and tame and also that both are aggressive. So what is everyone's experience with these breeds? Also, they don't seem to enjoy to be handled...will they eventually become accustomed to handling?

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, ms2rt, and

! Great to have you aboard! I think both of those breeds are reckoned friendly, however, if they have not had much human contact, they will be skittish and scared. As chicks I would pick them up and hold them and pet them. Don't try to make them friendly too soon. Start slow with treats - meal worms are something they go crazy for. Once they know you are the supplier they will come to you. This will help in the taming process. I let my chickens jump/fly onto to my lap and jump off without trying to catch them. When they are more tame I scoop one of them up and walk around the yard with them for a bit. When I let them go I walk away instead of trying to pick them up right away. Seems to work to tame them. It will require patience. Good luck to you!

 

[ms2rt]

Thank you. Where can i get meal worms?

 

[redsoxs]

Most farm and ranch stores carry them (they are dried). I get mine at Orscheln's. There are also a huge thread on BYC devoted to folks who grow their own meal worms. I'm not that adventurous!

Oh, and I think pet shops might carry them...I guess lizards eat them??

 

[drumstick diva]

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC!!

Glad you joined us!

 

[Kevin565]