HELP, new chicken troubles

[AQHAchick22]

Yesterday I bought 8 new chicks that are about a month old. I brought them home in a cage and set them outside on the grass while I was getting their “brooder” set up. When it was ready I brought them inside and took them out and put them in. They were petrified and all ran into a corner, like they didn’t know what to do with all the space. So I made the space a bit smaller and they still freaked out. Then I placed the cage back into the brooder and they all ran into it and laid down like they were fine. I left the door open so they could access food and water and left them for the night, figuring they were just stressed and needed some time.

I put a little bit of apple cider vinegar into their water hoping that would help as well. I just went and checked on them though and they are still petrified and obviously extremely stressed. The 4 sebrights are okay, they are fine when I pick them up but the 4 mixes squeal and struggle. They are fairly smelly and have very runny poo’s as well which I would assume is from the stress.

My heart breaks every time I walk out there, I feel like they were never really handled and never out of a cage. They are eating and drinking which is a plus, but I’m just stumped as to what to do to help them settle in and stop being so afraid of being out of the cage...

I do have 9 other chickens that are 4 months old and they are in their coop, away from the new ones.

 

[chicmom]

It does sound like your four new chicks just weren't handled at all. Sometimes they get over this with your persistent care. Talk to them, put some food into your hand and hold it down into the brooder, being very still. They will eventually come to your hand, especially if you have the other Sebright chicks that are more friendly....The other chicks may learn from example.

Don't be sad though, if they never come around. I've had many many batches of chicks, but one batch of little silkies comes to mind that never ever became friendly. And I was very attentive to them, having purchased them from a hatchery and picking them up as day old chicks.

I do think, occasionally, you'll get some very shy chicks, and it has to do with their breeding. They never seem to come around.

But just try and see what happens. At the very least, they will always be shy, but if you come out to feed them, they will come around, but they'll stay an arm's length away. I do have a few shy hens like that.

 

[jak2002003]

Don't worry, they should all come around eventually. Sometimes I bought adult birds that had never been handled and where very wild!

It just takes time.....and with young birds like yours they will be faster at getting tame.

The key to their little hearts is FOOD! They will soon do anything to get their treats.

At this age you can introduce them to treats - start off with only a few. Chick food and water must be there for them all the time, but find out what they really like to eat. If you buy some mealworms they should go mad for them......remember only a few each at this age. Also some bugs from the garden, cooked rice, defrosted corn, peas etc.

Call them gently and toss in a few treats. Spend time sitting near them and watching them.. They will get use to the sight of you.

After a few day they will soon come running up to you for treats. Then you can start getting them to take the treats from you hand. After they are comfortable with that, you can start picking them up.

They will all be different. Some will not mind being picked up, others won't like it. But they should ALL get to the point of running up to you and taking treats from you hand.

Good luck............you have any pics of your new chickens?

 

[AQHAchick22]

Thank you for the help! I will start giving them some treats, I gave them a bit of watermelon this morning when I left for work, just a tiny bit but maybe enough to get them used to the taste of treats. My other chickens LOVE peaches so maybe I will bring out some peach for them tonight as well.

Good luck............you have any pics of your new chickens?

I don’t have any pictures of them yet, I didn’t want to bother them too much yesterday but I will be sure to get some when I get home from work and post them, especially since I’m a little curious on a few of their breeds. I’m going to stop by TSC on my way home and get them some electrolytes and maybe one of those chick blocks as well, my older ones loved that thing. I’m pretty sure their nutrition wasn’t too great either.

I hope they start coming around, but as was mentioned, food is the way to their hearts J My BO roo comes running now when I shake the bag of dried meal worm’s haha

I just feel terrible when I walk in and they all pile up on top of one another, trying to get as far away as possible. Should I separate the Sebrights so they wont feed off the others anxiety?

 

[AQHAchick22]

Here they are all huddled up as I mentioned. They seem a bit better, I gave them some sav a chick and some yogurt and left them alone for awhile to settle in.

This afternoon I had them taking little bits of peach off my finger (though very reluctantly; they were doing the adorable chicken hop of trying to decide if it was safe).

As you can see the Sebrights are the braver ones. I'm not sure what the one with the spots is, I'm thinking possibly a hamburg...

 

[chardob]

My chicks went absolutely nuts over celery. When they were a few days old I did a fine chop and they stampeded to me to get it. They still do, as a matter of fact.

 

[Big Sky Chick]

I got a few chicks at that age with similar issues. Like others have said, just move slow, talk to them, handle them, then give them a treat. In short order they will come around. Mine are now a year old and they come when called, eat out of my hand, and don't really worry about DH, dog or I. Let us know how they do.

 

[AQHAchick22]

They are running away quite a bit less now which is great, they actually seem to calm down a bit if I talk to them quietly when I walk in. Even the one that was squaking and carrying on is coming to me for treats now. If they are doing this well only after a few days it can only get better...hopefully haha