How do i get my chickens to like me

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Oh hey yeah, chickens are smart. They will recognize the container you use after a few days. And if you use it for the bed time routine you better put some in the crop Every night or they will ignore you. Also your end of the bargain is you let them out on a regular basis. And their part will be they go in early every now and again. To humor you.
And if you don't want to go the treat route, bring a folding chair and sit with them.
 
Bob the chicken man said:
I have tried that and they come up but I've been doing it since i put them in the coop which was probably when they were about two months. Is it a time consuming thing?
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Yes, it takes time and patience. At least ours did because they weren't handled when they were younger. We've had our chickens since the end of April and while we still have to chase them to pick them up, they will come running to the run door to see what we have for them. I also sit on a log we have in the run and hold out halved grape tomatoes or meal worms and they eventually come and grab them out of my palm. They're funny too because they look towards the house whenever they hear the deck or porch door.
 
PennyM said:
Yes, it takes time and patience. At least ours did because they weren't handled when they were younger. We've had our chickens since the end of April and while we still have to chase them to pick them up, they will come running to the run door to see what we have for them. I also sit on a log we have in the run and hold out halved grape tomatoes or meal worms and they eventually come and grab them out of my palm. They're funny too because they look towards the house whenever they hear the deck or porch door.
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ok, thanks and can you please help with my other thread if possible> https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/what-type-of-chicken-is-this.1178549/page-4#post-18574717
 
In addition to the noise of the treat container/bag, you can use your voice. My chooks come if I call them. I just go "chook, chook, chook" and they come running. The "secret" is to reward the desired behaviour. They come, they get food.

As mentioned, your chooks are young. I found when I got new young chooks it took them time to learn that I wasn't a monster there to carry them away and kill them. I think it's a natural response for young animals to be "scaredy-cats" so that they stay safe to grow up. When they are older, they will have learnt that you are not a threat - quite the opposite when they hear you coming with your mealworms in hand. (as for treats, you can "treat" them with their normal kibble. I fling a bit around, they don't know that it's nothing special, they act like it is)
 
potato chip said:
In addition to the noise of the treat container/bag, you can use your voice. My chooks come if I call them. I just go "chook, chook, chook" and they come running. The "secret" is to reward the desired behaviour. They come, they get food.

As mentioned, your chooks are young. I found when I got new young chooks it took them time to learn that I wasn't a monster there to carry them away and kill them. I think it's a natural response for young animals to be "scaredy-cats" so that they stay safe to grow up. When they are older, they will have learnt that you are not a threat - quite the opposite when they hear you coming with your mealworms in hand. (as for treats, you can "treat" them with their normal kibble. I fling a bit around, they don't know that it's nothing special, they act like it is)
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Thank you, these are really helpful and can you help identify my chickens because i am really confused about them.
 
21hens-incharge said:
I carry a bright yellow feed scoop with a bit of scratch. It is frightening to some when chickens come at full run or by wing from every shrub or corner of the yard.
:lau
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I have to severely limit when I give my chickens c̶r̶a̶c̶k̶ scratch else they will do what you described every single time they see me.
 
potato chip said:
Unfortunately not, I'm pretty clueless about breeds. I have 'mutts', I'm not sure what they are, other than pretty and sweet. A chook is a chook is a chook, to me. I'm not into showing or breeding, mine are just pets.
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Ok, same here, i just wanted to know because i didn't know. The only thing i really knew was that they are not amber links
 
HenOnAJuneBug said:
I have to severely limit when I give my chickens c̶r̶a̶c̶k̶ scratch else they will do what you described every single time they see me.
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Honestly they ignore the pink scoop. I have that one for feed and yellow for treats. No yellow bucket in my hand no mad chicken stampede!

It comes in very handy when they are out and a hawk pays a visit. I grab the yellow scoop and everyone heads for me and into the run we go. I keep an empty one in my workshop. They don't get to be out without me right there.
Easy peasy.
 
Please post your photos at "What breed or gender is this." You will get replies - I'll check it out once I am done here.

As to your roo, it's much better for a roo to be afraid of you than to be treated like a pet. That often leads to aggression because he will view you as one of his hens.
 

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