help chicks get used to humans

[ayedrianna]

how do i get the chicks i just got to trust humans & to not be afraid of us? their pretty scared when i try to pet one and are there any tips i should use?

 

[chuckzoo]

We must look awfully big to a chick!

Pick them up gently, hold them and coo to them like their Mum would - they will get used to you and come to enjoy your contact.

Enjoy them, they grow up very quickly.

 

[bock]

Talk to them!

It doesn't make coo coo!

 

[omelet du fromage]

The more I offer food to them in the palm of my hand, the faster they jump on my hand and arm when I put it in the brooder the next time.

 

[Dragonfly Ranch]

Cuddle them in your arms close to your body and tuck in their wings so they can't flap and gently scratch their necks and they seem to get calmer. You will find that some really like you and other just don't. Food in your hand works for a while until they peck at your fingers more then the food

 

[Boo-Boo's Mama]

My girls love to eat from my hand. They have gotten so use to it that they bicker about who is going to get on the feeder and water container to 'stand in line' to be next for me to pick them up and hug them. If they squawk, I hold them under my chin and tell them it is ok and they calm down.

Have fun with your babies...they grow up fast.

 

[bigstack]

Contact, Contact, Contact! The only way to get them to trust you is to earn their trust! You have to have ALOT of contact with them! I started as soon as they came out of the bator. I would pick up each one and hold it close to me. Talking low and calm. Never make sudden movements! High pitched sounds are an alarm to chickens. Sudden rises in pitch of voice is an alarm to a chicken. There was a great article on this in backyard poultry mag. last month. (Sounds and alarms that is) I would spend atleast 1 minute holding, gently petting/stroking, and talking to each chick. every day twice a day. Some times more if I had the time. At first all hated it! Make sure to fold their wings in and hold them firmly but not to tight. They will have a sudden burst of energy and jump! They soon grow out of this and learn that you are not going to let them go. then they begin to give in and at that point you begin to earn their trust. Continued contact, love, and treats; in a lil while they will begin to rush to you every time you enter the room. I had 1 lil girl who just after 5 days began to jump into my hand, lay down and begin to preen her feathers ( fluff and pins) LOL she is my baby! Even now that they are all out in the pen. every time I go in the pen and sit down they rush over and fight to see who will be first to be picked up. Of course I always look for my "Lil Lady" first. If I am too slow, they will just jump up into my lap when im not looking! Just a note of warning.... If you do let them eat from your hand; they will come to associate your fingers with food!!! As they get bigger their jaws get stronger and the beaks get tougher and sharper! I DO NOT recommend they eat FROM your hand!

If I have 1 that really don't want to be held...... I will hold them longer! They have to learn not only to trust you but that you are the boss too!


Good Luck and God Bless!

 

[okieglory]

hold them alot, mine are like two weeks old and 1 still shakes so much when I hold her, I feel so bad but just hold them as much as possible!!!!!!

 

[Jen71]

Quote:
THANK YOU so much for this fantastic post.
I have read a lot of this information on this site, but to have it all succintly presented here like this is fantastic. Thank you.

I have 4 chicks and I will start holding each of them more now that I've read this.
Thx!