How do I make myself my chickens BEST FRIEND? BONDING QUESTION.

Quote:
Um, remember that these are chickens, i.e. ACTUAL chickens, not puppies or storybook characters or, like, smurfs
wink.png
I am not sure how much chickens have "bonding". They are not the sort of animal that is naturally inclined to live in strongly-bonded familial groups. They flock, and they are sort of social within flocks, and some certain individuals may like to hang around other certain individuals, but.... well, all I 'm saying is, remember that they are much more closely related to dinosaurs than to dogs.

Anyhow. In my limited experience yes sex-links are good friendly birds although it will depend on what lines they're from. They are not going to be little cartoon characters, especially not at first -- you will have to gently and nonthreateningly get them used to your being around them and handling them and so forth. If you're doing stuff with them make sure to stop before they get stressed. They will get used to you being around, and chances are reasonably good they'll get used to being handled (tho apparently *some* chickens never really like that).

But really the best way to get them to run up to you every time you appear is to be a food dispenser. (Note, that means *healthy balanced* food, not just scratch or other treats).

Make sure that's really what you want, though. It can be a giant pain in the neck to have a mob of moochy chickens underfoot if you're trying to get something *done*. If this is just for one-upmanship with other family members, you might aim for something a little less double-edged, like perhaps when they're older teaching one to do a simple trick on cue. (For instance one of mine decided that she'd jump up on a table or etc if I just showed her what to jump up *on*, and it has neatly evolved into a nice party trick
wink.png
)

Have fun,

Pat
 
Quote:
Pat has a point. I can't get anything done when I have a shovel in my hand. I have chickens all over me, on the shovel, in the dirt...
barnie.gif
Not every hole has worms!!!!
barnie.gif

Anyway, I've spent hours just sitting in the run with them. Take a book out there, get a chair and just sit with them. They will get used to you hanging around and will soon figure out that you aren't there to hurt them.
Feeding them by hand really helps, too. A couple of my hens will not eat treats unless I hand it to them, sort of how a rooster picks up food and feeds it to them.
My Polish girl, Dolly, squats when she hears my voice!
th.gif
Slightly disturbing, but oh well!
gig.gif
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom