How can I make my chicks like me?

[chickennewb-E]

The chicks are in the kitchen while it is so cold out. They seem scared of us. How do I make them bond to me? Can I?

 

[thecatumbrella]

I learned, firsthand, that chicks have a small imprint window in their first few days. I'm assuming you're past that point. The best way to move forward is to spend lots of time with them. Don't reach into the brooder to handle them, but just sit outside (where they can see you) and talk calmly. Once they've relaxed more, I'll slowly drape my hand into a corner, far away from them. Sometimes a chick will come over to investigate. Other times they'll totally ignore me. Either way, it's a no pressure situation. But they learn that you are not a threat, and your hand is not a threat.

It gets a lot easier to bond once everyone's moved outside. I spent quite a lot of time with my chickens, and I can tell they learn to enjoy human company (even if treats aren't involved!)

Here's a photo of me with my "skittish chicks", now 6-months old. They even turned down their apple skewer to hang out on the bench together.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Chickens are prey animals. Everything/ everyone wants to eat them. Fear is a survival mechanism. Don't take it personally. Don't move quickly around them, don't grab at them. Good advice above. Take a book and chill with them. Scatter treats around your feet and let them discover you're not a threat.

 

[djzcat]

The chicks are in the kitchen while it is so cold out. They seem scared of us. How do I make them bond to me? Can I?

When I got my chicks, last April, they were 1 week and 5 days old. I sit on the floor and put chick starter crumbles in my hand and call them with a quick high pitched voice, "chick chick chick". But what really got them coming was freeze dried soldier fly larvae or mealworms. I actually broke them into bite size pieces. Place them in your hand and excitedly call them. Before you know it, they will all come running. Later, you can use tiny pieces of greens. Make them very tiny. I even still call them with the "chick chick chick" now as adults to get them into the chicken pen and reward them with treats.

 

[chickennewb-E]

When I got my chicks, last April, they were 1 week and 5 days old. I sit on the floor and put chick starter crumbles in my hand and call them with a quick high pitched voice, "chick chick chick". But what really got them coming was freeze dried soldier fly larvae or mealworms. I actually broke them into bite size pieces. Place them in your hand and excitedly call them. Before you know it, they will all come running. Later, you can use tiny pieces of greens. Make them very tiny. I even still call them with the "chick chick chick" now as adults to get them into the chicken pen and reward them with treats.

Where can I get those larva? My littles are probably less than a week old

 

[chickennewb-E]

Chickens are prey animals. Everything/ everyone wants to eat them. Fear is a survival mechanism. Don't take it personally. Don't move quickly around them, don't grab at them. Good advice above. Take a book and chill with them. Scatter treats around your feet and let them discover you're not a threat.

What can I give them for treats? They are probably less than a week old

 

[chickennewb-E]

I learned, firsthand, that chicks have a small imprint window in their first few days. I'm assuming you're past that point. The best way to move forward is to spend lots of time with them. Don't reach into the brooder to handle them, but just sit outside (where they can see you) and talk calmly. Once they've relaxed more, I'll slowly drape my hand into a corner, far away from them. Sometimes a chick will come over to investigate. Other times they'll totally ignore me. Either way, it's a no pressure situation. But they learn that you are not a threat, and your hand is not a threat.

It gets a lot easier to bond once everyone's moved outside. I spent quite a lot of time with my chickens, and I can tell they learn to enjoy human company (even if treats aren't involved!)

Here's a photo of me with my "skittish chicks", now 6-months old. They even turned down their apple skewer to hang out on the bench together.

View attachment 4303038

Thanks for your response. How do I handle poopy butt without handling? They seem it get it a lot. (They are mixed breed bantams and quite fuzzy)

 

[djzcat]

Where can I get those larva? My littles are probably less than a week old

I buy them off Amazon, 5 lbs at a time. But for chicks, you don't need that many. You might want to check Chewy. Or Tractor Supply to buy in person. How many chicks do you have?

 

[djzcat]

I learned, firsthand, that chicks have a small imprint window in their first few days. I'm assuming you're past that point. The best way to move forward is to spend lots of time with them. Don't reach into the brooder to handle them, but just sit outside (where they can see you) and talk calmly. Once they've relaxed more, I'll slowly drape my hand into a corner, far away from them. Sometimes a chick will come over to investigate. Other times they'll totally ignore me. Either way, it's a no pressure situation. But they learn that you are not a threat, and your hand is not a threat.

It gets a lot easier to bond once everyone's moved outside. I spent quite a lot of time with my chickens, and I can tell they learn to enjoy human company (even if treats aren't involved!)

Here's a photo of me with my "skittish chicks", now 6-months old. They even turned down their apple skewer to hang out on the bench together.

View attachment 4303038

Oh boy. What beautiful, unique colored chicks you have there. Here's two pictures of my cutie pue, Patty Pan almost a year ago. She is an Easter Egger. Almost all grown up now. They grow so fast.

 

[djzcat]

What can I give them for treats? They are probably less than a week old

I gave mine the freezed dried soldier fly larvae ot dried mealworms. But be sure to break into extra small tiny pieces. When they are a little older, again, make sure very tiny...pieces of greens, apples, other veggies. Again tiny, smaller than tipp of eraser. And don't overdo. Must make sure they are getting the nutrition in their chick starter feed.