Help Please

[mopsee2000]

I see pics all the time of chicken that are very sociable. My chicken run away from me. They don't like me. How the heck do people hand feed chickens? I have about 20 Rhode Island Reds that are 3 months old. They wont come within 10 feet of me. No very friendly. I bought them and received them as day old babies. I raised them in a fish tank under a heat lamp. My first 2 chicks were born and I don't want to make any mistakes with them. They are only a couple weeks old. They have been raised in the coup by a good mommy hen. I want them to trust me. I want to hand feed them. What do I do?

 

[hxgumdrop]

Will take time and patience. Just sit with food in ur hand until they come over. My hen raised chicks that are now 6months old and they are still unsure of me but they have finally realized i bring food which is a good start!
this may help
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-all-new-how-to-train-your-chicken

 

[sumi]

I agree, time, patience and food. Take something nice, like mealworms, and go sit in their run with them every day and talk to them for a few minutes. Let them see you have treats and just toss it at them at first. Then hold your hand with the treats out and tempt them to come closer. You'll have to do this for awhile possibly, so be patient. Also, when you move around them, keep your movements slow and steady. Don't make wild gestures or sudden movements that may spook them. What I found also helped with one really wild hen I tamed, go give them some attention when they are roosting. Wait until it's semi-dark, just light enough for you to see each other, but too dark for them to attempt flying. Go and talk to them and stroke them, scratch their crops a bit and then leave them. They'll get used to it and realise you are not going to hurt them.

 

[gander007]

It is a time thing and my chickens see me all the time and I sit on the porch with them so they know who is in-charge of the feed and some even let me pick them up or pet them but it is really about time as chickens are a lot like kids you have to work with them or play with them

 

[happyhens1972]

I agree with all of the above....especially the mealworms....my girls would sell their soul for a live mealie and they do not get ANY unless they come and get them in person. I started off just throwing them to the floor but once I'd got them to at least approach and be comfortable eating them in my vicinity, I then only offered them by hand. You usually get one or two who brave it and then eventually the others realise you're not hurting them and will join in. It can take a long time though.

I also always accompanied the hand feeding with a sound. I made my own version of a cockerel's 'bok bok, here's food' sound and now I call out my 'bok bok' and all of my girls hitch up their chickeny bloomers and run to the fence for a treat!!! Some will now jump into my lap and then stay afterwards for a cuddle...they just love their wattles being stroked....and one in particular will push her whole face into the 'tunnel' of my closed fist and just sit there crooning. I even fell asleep with her like this once.....forty minutes she stayed there but then got up and pooped in my lap! Be careful what you wish for!!

 

[hxgumdrop]

I have one hen that is alot quicker than the others so gets all the treats straight of the bat! So to get the others used to me i go out when she is laying to give the others a fighting chance