How do i make my chicks like me? haha

[wingsofglory]

Cooked hamburger broken into tiny pieces worked for me. Completely changed their attitude. (Be sure to put chick grit on their starter feed though).

With another batch of older ones, one day I picked them up one by one, and held them up to some berry bushes, so they could eat the berries. That changed their attitude about being picked up and let me from then on without a fuss.

 

[Urbanfarmerkc]

Quote:
Chicks are like kids... you are only necessary when they want something from you. I have two different breeds that are totally skittish La Fleche and Dorkings and even they come running when they hear me open the can where I keep their feed. Not afraid of me when feed is around. Their chicks are the same way... I also have Delawares and Cochin bantams and well, that is an entirely different story... They want to be UNDER my feet when I'm trying to walk. They even at about a week old, DEMAND all my attention when I come out to deal with them. I've had several who thought I was their personal jungle gym and I never promoted the idea... I'm not big on chickens sitting on and pooping on me. But alas, I always give in. LOL

So, a lot of it depends on breed but also, all chicks will eventually LOVE you if you give them goodies to eat. BTW, I've never had chicks that didn't startle when I first walk up to them. I think it is an instinctual response for chicks to scatter when danger might be present.

 

[bentmtnhen]

I told my chicks that if they peck me, then I get to pet them! They've decided that I'm not too scary, until I sneeze!

I have offered them crumbs from the toaster tray, chopped lettuce seedlings, & mashed honeydew. They loved it all, once they figured out that it was food! I'm trying not to spoil them too much-I don't want them to expect treats all the time!


3 EEs, 3 RIRs, 3 Red Stars, 3 BA girls & 1 happy BA guy - all 4 wks old

 

[wayneh]

CourtneyBrooke* :

I buy treats from TSC for my babies, the treats are mealworms(dead&dried out) they will take them right out of my hand! They're 4 week old pullets but they've been given them since about 2 1/2 weeks!

-- but I'm with you, I hate that they're scared of me but I think it will change when they get older and out in the coop!

its all in the handling. we had a pasty butt chick, had to clean her little butt every so often. now she is the best and friendliest chick we have. you can just slide your hand under her and pick her up. no fuss no yell. she just sits in your hand and lets you pet her. we can catch the others, only because they think we have worms. worms are great but I think the earlier you handle them the better they are. oh by the way, we started giving them treats and grit (building sand) when they were less than 2 weeks old. if you give treats, make sure they have grit.​

 

[CourtneyBrooke*]

Quote:
its all in the handling. we had a pasty butt chick, had to clean her little butt every so often. now she is the best and friendliest chick we have. you can just slide your hand under her and pick her up. no fuss no yell. she just sits in your hand and lets you pet her. we can catch the others, only because they think we have worms. worms are great but I think the earlier you handle them the better they are. oh by the way, we started giving them treats and grit (building sand) when they were less than 2 weeks old. if you give treats, make sure they have grit.

My chicks have had grit since a little over a week old, and like i said earlier I didn't give them those treats until about 2-2 1/2 weeks..ive never had any problems with pasty butt or anything like that--thanks goodness!

 

[noodleroo]

I have a lot of taming info on my BYC page (its OK, I don't sell anything). Hope it helps...

 

[Frequent Flyer]

My BA's are two weeks old and about twice/day we take them out of their brooder box and place them in a laundry basket with pine shavings in it and handle them. Its better to scoop them up from underneath and they curl up in our hands. (I have a space heater on so they don't get cold while out of their brooder) I've had a couple fall asleep in my hands. It also helps to have jewelry on when you reach into the box. They are smart girls and go for the gold every time!!

 

[BellevueOmlet]

I know how you feel. 1 week old chicks are so scarred of everything. I leave my hand in so they know I have no intentions and they seem fine and then I rub against the brooder and the slight sound frightens them and they avoid me like I am going to hurt them. it makes me sad but I have been through it before and know they will get more confident and even caulky eventually so that they will try to walk all over me. Then you show them you are dominant and they fall in line. They are so funny.

 

[clbdownunder]

Mine recognize my truck when I get home and all come running, necks stretched forward at breakneck speeds....its hilarious, they look like a band if pirates! They don't do that when anyone else drives ine

 

[MikaRoo]

the oldest one is 1 week old now and the others are 4 and 5 days old. Can I give them lettuce and bread as treats now or is it too early? Also should they be getting grit now? The bag says when they are 2 weeks old to start.