hey! how do all of you chicken experts out there! how do you get your hens to not be afraid of you?

[halliet]

No matter how hard I try, I can't get my hens to come closer than 5 feet away from me! I have tried talking in a soothing voice, giving them yummy treats, and all of those tips and tricks that you can find on the internet, but am getting no results. Also, One of my hens Is super skittish and flaps away from me a ton. she always run to my rooster and hides behind him. It gets kind of frustrating, and I really want to start cuddling up with them. Also We are getting new chicks soon, and I want to raise them to be friendly chickens when they grow up, but need a couple of pointers!

 

[mzimmers]

I'm sure you'll get some better answers, but here's a few points:

1. chicken friendliness depends significantly on the breed. I've found leghorns to be quite standoffish, and Wyandottes to be relatively friendly.
2. to really get them used to you, start handfeeding them when they're very young. Do it as often as possible.
3. when handfeeding them, give them something they especially like, such as those disgusting dried worms.
4. above all, remember that chickens are a prey species...they don't survive by being friendly.

Good luck...

 

[FeatheredFriends&Horses2]

Good afternoon! If possible, I would try removing your rooster for a little while. After my rooster died, my hens became much friendlier. Continue giving the food and, while it sounds counterintuitive, ignore them. Don't try to hold them. Chickens are curious creatures and if you just spend 5-10 minutes a day around them without doing anything, they'll begin to approach you. With baby chicks, try to hold them once a day. This should help them grow up used to people. Good luck!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Spend as much time as you can with them, around them, while not trying to do anything to them, so they get used to your presence without thinking you're trying to grab them.

The skittish one will possibly always be skittish. Some of them are just jumpier and don't want to be handled.