Holding baby chicks

[GizmoB]

How often should you handle/hold your baby chicks in order for them to be comfortable to humans. I don't want to stress them out by too much handling. I have 2 kids that are going to want to hold them all the time, so I need to know ahead of time what the limit is.

 

[katyvart]

I am curious about this too... I have been afraid to hold them too much, because they seem to run away from me when I pick them up. So I have switched to just been feeing them treats from my hand... so they run to me.

Looking forward to what input you get.

 

[GizmoB]

That's a great idea and along the lines of what I was thinking too. I've heard they love mealworms

 

[happylittlehens]

I and my 2 kids touched and held ours right from the start. We also filled our hand with chick starter, laid it on the floor of the brooder and let them eat from our hand and climb around on it, to get used to it. Our girls are 8 weeks old now and "most" of them love to be held and petted. One rule I always used with the kids was if the chick starts cheeping loudly or acting uncomfortable while your holding it, it's time to put it down! Then they don't feel threatened by you. For the most part they just fall asleep in your hands anyway

 

[GizmoB]

I and my 2 kids touched and held ours right from the start. We also filled our hand with chick starter, laid it on the floor of the brooder and let them eat from our hand and climb around on it, to get used to it. Our girls are 8 weeks old now and "most" of them love to be held and petted. One rule I always used with the kids was if the chick starts cheeping loudly or acting uncomfortable while your holding it, it's time to put it down! Then they don't feel threatened by you. For the most part they just fall asleep in your hands anyway

That is a FANTASTIC idea! My kids will love feeding them like that. Our girls are going to be part of our family and I know I definitely will want to pet them as well as the kids.

 

[MidsummerNight]

I've been scooping up food and feeding them with my hand frequently. One of them still gets flighty but all the others get excited when they see me and one even tries to sit on my shoulder. Chickens love food.

 

[GizmoB]

I've been scooping up food and feeding them with my hand frequently. One of them still gets flighty but all the others get excited when they see me and one even tries to sit on my shoulder. Chickens love food.

So sweet! I can't wait!!! My husband thinks I'm nuts getting so excited over chickens

 

[happylittlehens]

So sweet! I can't wait!!! My husband thinks I'm nuts getting so excited over chickens

Haha so did mine! They are pretty addicting and have way more personality than I would've ever thought!

 

[GizmoB]

Haha so did mine! They are pretty addicting and have way more personality than I would've ever thought!

Yes, I keep showing him pictures of Silkies and the girls I ordered and he just smiles at me and says 'if they make you happy honey.'

 

[MidsummerNight]

Yes, I keep showing him pictures of Silkies and the girls I ordered and he just smiles at me and says 'if they make you happy honey.'

Hahaha mine too!