How do I get my chickens to not be so shy and afraid of me?

[kiyomi]

Chickens all have their own personalities, but almost all of my chickens are quite shy. A lot of them come up to me and will let me pet them sometimes and will follow me, but the others, if I try to touch them they run away. How can I get them to not be so scared? I obviously do not want to overwhelm them, I just want to know if there's a way for them to warm up to me! The ameraucanas, easter eggers, and wyandottes are the ones who seem to not like me, or at least not like when I go near them. I'm not going to hurt them, I love my chickens and I would never hurt them. They don't know that though. Sorry if this question sounds dumb lol

 

[Honeybee22]

I'd say get some mealworms, but even then they might not let you pet them. I've done some serious time treating them and spending time with them and I still have a few that like me, they just dont want me to touch them.

If I'm in the mood to hold them I have wait until nighttime. I get the most cuddles in when I'm in the coop with them before closing up for the night.

I must say though that all 10 of my chickens are still pullets (and one is a cockeral). They're kids and teenagers. My oldest are only 4 months.

I've heard that they get a lot more friendly and docile once they mature. I figure that my friendlier ones we'll be super sweet and let me touch them once they grow up to be big girl hens. I can't wait.

 

[centrarchid]

I use meal worms as well. My chickens need to be tame because some used for work where they are expected to interact with the public. Most of the time the public is very young and/or not experienced with chickens. The taming involves more than use of treats, it also involves subtle adjustments to my behavior. I move deliberately, quietly and do not stare at the birds. I do not pet the chickens on the head or back. They are not grabbed by the legs. Most contacts are directed at the birds flanks with the back of my head.

This all can be taken steps further with training. Being consistent in how you treat birds will help a lot as well.

 

[chickens really]

Depends on what breeds you have?...Are they all the same breed?....

 

[Abriana]

My hen Christina used to never let me pick her up. I spent a lot of time out there, not bothering her, and one day, she came up to me and hopped in my lap. Now she does it whenever I sit down in their pen. You can bring a yummy treat out there, such as some cooked chicken or steak (which they LOVE), and entice them onto your lap with it. Once they are up there, give them the treat. They will probably, upon receiving their prize, hop right back down again, but soon, after days of this, they will probably come hopping onto your lap looking for more. Hopefully this works!

 

[BYChickenAl]

Chickens all have their own personalities, but almost all of my chickens are quite shy. A lot of them come up to me and will let me pet them sometimes and will follow me, but the others, if I try to touch them they run away. How can I get them to not be so scared? I obviously do not want to overwhelm them, I just want to know if there's a way for them to warm up to me! The ameraucanas, easter eggers, and wyandottes are the ones who seem to not like me, or at least not like when I go near them. I'm not going to hurt them, I love my chickens and I would never hurt them. They don't know that though. Sorry if this question sounds dumb lol

Not dumb at all. I'm sure there are plenty of us who want to handle our birds on a routine basis...and I'm one of them.

My first time with raising chicks this year. We bought 4 chicks in Feb '17 and I handled them every day to make sure they would bond with me. Today, there is only one of them that will let me handle her...the rest scurry away when I attempt to make contact. They all follow me around the property...thinking that I have treats for them all the time but my cats do the same thing. All 4 have been consistently producing eggs and they seem pretty happy and healthy. I really enjoy reading about the experience of others. Stay positive and don't feel bad. I look forward to seeing what happens with my girls as they get older.

 

[lazy gardener]

While you can get chickens to tolerate handling, and there are the few who seem to crave it (Dominiques stand out in that crowd), I think it's important to remember that they are PREY animals, and as such their instincts say that being confined (held) by a large mammal with teeth is not a good thing. So, if you have a chicken that likes human contact, enjoy it, but don't force the issue. Be content to be among them, and let them choose their contact tolerance. I do give a mean facial massage, and do so with any chicken I'm handling before putting her down. Often, the friendlier ones will come and ask for such attention in the future.

 

[Folly's place]

My Speckled Sussex hens are by far the most 'in your face' people friendly birds ever. Some breeds and some individuals will learn to allow 'petting', but chickens are not dogs or cats, and it's best to appreciate them for who they are. Mary

 

[chickens really]

My Speckled Sussex hens are by far the most 'in your face' people friendly birds ever. Some breeds and some individuals will learn to allow 'petting', but chickens are not dogs or cats, and it's best to appreciate them for who they are. Mary

My Speckled Sussex is actually annoying she is so friendly ..All my company that comes has to hand feed her..I never do..Bonnie follows me around chatting the whole time..Silly Chicken...

 

[azygous]

First, to have friendly chickens, you need to begin with friendly breeds. While I have ridiculously friendly chickens, my Wyandottes have mostly been standoffish. The most friendly have been Cochins and Brahmas, and my EEs have all been downright cuddly.

Second, you need to handle them right as baby chicks. As LG pointed out, they are prey animals and approaching chicks from above ignites the predator reflex and terrifies them. To instill trust and bonding, you need to handle chicks from the side at their level.

With chicks and adults chickens, to make friends, it helps tremendously to get comfortable down on the ground, be still and calm, and allow them to approach you. I use meal worms as an irresistible incentive.

At present, I'm taming some new broody-raised baby chicks. I sit on a cushion in their run and have meal worms in my hand. The broody is assisting in this training by mobbing my lap and showing the chicks it's a desirable activity.

By the way, as long as baby chicks have access to grit, they can have live (being easier to digest) meal worms as soon as they begin to eat. Meal worms are the means to some of the most enjoyable entertainment you can hope to experience.