How do I make the chickens like me?! Please help!!!

[Chicken0Boy]

How do I make the chickens like me, come run up to me, and want to be held by me? When I get the they would be around 4-6 weeks old! I am getting 2 Delaware hens, 1 blue Ameraucana, 2 Silkie hens, and 1 Silkie roo! Any suggestions about my flock and the question I asked would be awesome!

 

[PunkinPeep]

The way to a chicken's heart is through its stomach. Hands down.

As far as holding, you'll want to hold them every day to help them get used to you and not fear you - but that sometimes is just personality of the individual chicken.

 

[cobrien]

Punkin is right! I have found that once one works up the nerve to eat out of their hand, they all follow suit (beware the pending feeding frenzy). hold some special treats in your hand and wait.

Once I get them eating out of my hand, I start holding them in my lap and getting them to eat out of my hand while being held. I now have a few that jump up on my lap whenever they feel like it.

As friendly as mine are, they do not like to be held / cuddled for too long. They tolerate a little of it, though.

 

[jerseygirl1]

mealworms

 

[TurkeyMountainChickens]

Chickens are very easily bribed.

Mealworms are great. Regular old garden worms are a big hit, too. Cracked corn or wheat is OK ins small amounts, too - and they think it's candy!

I find that they may not eat a treat out of your hand at first if they are unfamiliar with it. You may have to set it down and let them explore it. Then, once they know its TASTY, they'll work up the guts to come get it from your hand.

 

[MagsC]

Absolutely TREATS!

Once mine figured out I was the human treat dispenser they wouldnt leave me alone.

 

[Anny]

Give them lots and lots of love. And by love I mean treats.

If you want them to come running when they see you it is a good idea to not free feed them but go out to the coop every day and throw down some food for them. This way they think "person equals FOOD"

It can be harder to win their trust when you didn't raise them from chick, but they will come around. It's also a good idea to buy chicken you know have been handled alot since hatching, that way they know it and are used to it. Good luck!

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Yes, food. And just SITTING THERE, not going after them or trying to grab them when they want to get away rather than be picked up.

BUT, that said, remember that not all chickens are going to be lap-chickens. They each have their own temperament and personality, and only *some* of them are going to want to be held. You have to respect that.

Also, remember that when they are sitting on you, sometimes they poo

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[DADDYS HENS]

when they are chicks, take the time to play with them one on one for about 5 minutes each. Be the one who feeds and waters them everyday and the one who cleans the place where you will keep them as they grow. When they are old enough and able to go outside use some chicken wire and make a playpen put food and water in with them and make it big enough to allow a place for you to sit in with them. You can have some play time while sitting in with them but some good advice just sit back and watch. Don't chase after them just cause you want to hold a cute chick. Let the chick deside it wants to be held.As your chicks become older be the one to show them to the coop at night and spend time in the coop with them sometimes just being with them will let them know your a friend. As mentioned give treats, mealworms, bread, cracked corn, ect. There is a treat chart on byc of many things you can give to chickens and how much is ok to give them as well.
I hope this will be helpful to you and enjoy your chickens they are so fun and will make you laugh at some of the things they do. I have one of my golden comets doing tricks for me just for a treat. She will jump up off the ground onto my arm at about three feet high. She also knows a few hand gestures and I can make her put out her wings while on the ground and pretend she is flying just for a treat. Making her do tricks has taken me several months but it is so rewarding to see. Again hope you have fun with your chickens.

 

[TinaK]

I got my chicks at 3 weeks... so not quite babies

I just made sure each evening after work I spent an hour or so just sitting there watching them and chatting with then and I'd always bring a new treat...

Then I sat with them in the run on an upturned bucket... didn't take long before they were both on my lap...

Now they are 11 weeks.. when they hear my voice they start running back and forth like mad. They expect good things from me!!! All I have to do is yell chook chooks and they run as fast as they can to me.

They also love to be stroked and petted and I never forcibly held them when they were babies.. one really didnt like it! now it's fine..