How do I get my chicks to like being held?

[ncjen]

HI! I am brand-new to chick raising and to this forum. I have 2 Americaunas who are 3 weeks old, very happy and playful girls. They will come to the door of their (new and larger) brooder. They will eat mealworms (their favorites) out of my hands, but they DO NOT like to be held. What can I do to remedy this? Also, they are doing well with "flying" short distances, but do not use the roost (set up approx 4") in the brooder. Is this OK?
ANY and all advice is welcome!

Thanks.
Jen

 

[AKsmama]

Hi Jen

Just keep trying with your girls. Some like to be held, and some don't. Maybe sit on the ground and let them come to you. But keep in mind that they are not cats and dogs- they don't necessarily crave petting like "regular" pets do. Don't feel rejected if they don't want to be held or petted- they're just being chickens.

 

[jennh]

Jen and

from another Jen

Just keep picking them up. Mine didn't like being picked up when they were small. Maybe it's a baby thing?

Anyway, mine like it now, especially if they know a treat is coming!

 

[wayneh]

I'm with everyone else. just keep trying. we have one that really is good when being held, the others, that's another story. meal worms will help.

 

[bikefreak]

I used crickets as bait.

What I found works well is:
1) be at their level if possible
2) reach out to them with your palm up (keeping you hand low to the ground)
3) slide your hand under their chest (legs go between your fingers)
4) pick them up
5) slide your free hand under their legs
6) remove the hand you picked them up with.
7) give them a cricket (make sure they have grit available)
8) belly rubs if you must.

They don't care for the "hand from above" (instincts)

Of the 4 I have, 2 are now flying onto my arms without any prompting. 1 can be coaxed onto my arm. 4th doesn't care and hates to be held. Gets back to the breed discussion and their temperament.

 

[Okie Amazon]

I've been trying to find the thread that was up just very recently about holding the chick up close to the brooder light for just a second or two till their down heats up. They will stretch out a wing and fall over in your hand like they are sunbathing and be very relaxed. I'll keep looking for it.

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

Mine HATE being held. Freak-out, level 5 meltdowns for Tiny (Lt Brahma), the rest just spaz for a minute and then chill. They still don't like it but they do calm down. I found that they didn't mind it so much if I adjusted so they were 'perching' on my fingers/side of my hand or just standing on my palm.

 

[mdbokc]

I am with "bikefreak' on this.

This is the biggie from my experience. The girls do not like to be picked up from overhead. Move slow and they will relax after some exposure from that angle, low to the ground. I'll even just let my arm and hand hang down into their area without trying to pick anyone up. Just let them get used to my presence like that. Picking up will be little problem and they won't fight it. I keep them facing me when I do it too. They are looking at my face when they come up and I am talking to them. After a few times, I set them down on my pants leg so they get used to sitting/standing on me. Then I put them back the same way. Within a week, some will start to jump up on my pants leg by themselves just because they want to be there. Now I see a few checking out my shoulder. That's not going to happen though.

I don't use crickets. But they get used to being pet in front along the crop and behind their neck and down the back. The love it.

 

[Inkheart]

I have to say i think it depends on the breed - the ones i hatched and raised will come right to me - eat out of my hands - etc but HATE being held . Just the way it is

 

[Okie Amazon]

Ah! Found it!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=469781