How Do I Socialize An Stubborn Chick?

[Plushness]

To put it brief, my about three to four weeks old flock, 3 of the 4 chicks I have in my brooder are a lot more chill with my hand and even want to jump up on my arm. Two of them especially are enthusiastic to roost on my arm or even my shoulder! However, there is one chick that always run away from my hand and hates being picked up. Sometimes they will be chill standing on my hand or arm once I caught them, but sometimes they'll scream at the top of their lungs, expressing their distain for being picked up.

I notice this one in particular may be at the bottom of the pecking order, or at least it seems like that to me as someone who is new to owning chickens. I don't know if that may be the case, but I thought to bring that information up. Additionally, this specific chick will bolt to my hand when I hand feed them their normal feed. I act like hand feeding them their normal feed is a treat, since I yet to know what would be a good treat for them. Regardless, this chick seems to be really food motivated and no matter what I do will convince them to be chill with my hand or being picked up.

I have suspicion this could just be a personality trait for the chick in question, but also at the same time I worry they'll become hostile when they fully grow up. Then again, I do recall I have made my mistakes when socializing with all of them at an early age that may of caused the chick to be more afraid of my non-food holding hand. Regardless, I want to fix this behavior before they get much older and be even harder to correct.

What do you advise to help with make this stubborn chick more social with humans?

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

Give it some time...
Mine used to dart away from me...
Once they started to lay, they became way chill and let me pick them up.

Now I have one that MAKES me put her in the coop every night (legit will hop out of the coop and wait for me to pick her up) ....

Their personalities change as they get older. Also some breeds are just more flighty than others.


I don't think there is a reason to be concerned abt agression....they are young, and have no one to show them what's ok and what's not...they have to figure it out on their own...

As much as you may feel like momma hen, you're not....and I don't think we really can pass for it in their eyes...idk

 

[Plushness]

Give it some time...
Mine used to dart away from me...
Once they started to lay, they became way chill and let me pick them up.

Now I have one that MAKES me put her in the coop every night (legit will hop out of the coop and wait for me to pick her up) ....

Their personalities change as they get older. Also some breeds are just more flighty than others.


I don't think there is a reason to be concerned abt agression....they are young, and have no one to show them what's ok and what's not...they have to figure it out on their own...

As much as you may feel like momma hen, you're not....and I don't think we really can pass for it in their eyes...idk

I for sure have my concerns and I may unintentionally feel like I gotta be the momma hen lol. Nonetheless, I'm glad to have these reassuring words because I do try the best I can do with what I currently know and have experience related to owning chickens. Of course, with me being a newbie, my experience is not much and I got plenty to learn.

I do know the three to four weeks chicks are still quite young. Though I hope my continued efforts of presenting myself as not a threat, rather to help and be friendly, will pay off in the long run.

As for the breed of chicken I have, unfortunately I don't have a definitive answer. However, I do think they are Leghorn chickens and are all female. At least I hope they are female, since where I had purchased them said they are "egg laying". Regardless, is this breed and sex known for their friendliness to humans?

Thank you reading my post and providing your advice! ^^

 

[Boomboomboyo]

I for sure have my concerns and I may unintentionally feel like I gotta be the momma hen lol. Nonetheless, I'm glad to have these reassuring words because I do try the best I can do with what I currently know and have experience related to owning chickens. Of course, with me being a newbie, my experience is not much and I got plenty to learn.

I do know the three to four weeks chicks are still quite young. Though I hope my continued efforts of presenting myself as not a threat, rather to help and be friendly, will pay off in the long run.

As for the breed of chicken I have, unfortunately I don't have a definitive answer. However, I do think they are Leghorn chickens and are all female. At least I hope they are female, since where I had purchased them said they are "egg laying". Regardless, is this breed and sex known for their friendliness to humans?

Thank you reading my post and providing your advice! ^^

But if they are too aggressive and hurt others you can get back protectors for feather plucking and blinders that keep the attackers from seeing in the front therefor stopping them from being able to peck others which is also helpful if they attack you

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

they are Leghorn chickens and are all female. At least I hope they are female, since where I had purchased them said they are "egg laying". Regardless, is this breed and sex known for their friendliness to humans?

I don't know anything abt leghorns...but this is what the internet says

 

[Plushness]

But if they are too aggressive and hurt others you can get back protectors for feather plucking and blinders that keep the attackers from seeing in the front therefor stopping them from being able to peck others which is also helpful if they attack you

Indeed, though I don't currently have that problem. In the future that may be needed, given they do end up being hostile. Of course I hope for the best and try to set up for the best, though preparing for the most negative outcome will be something I'll need to be prepared for.

I'll be sure to keep this idea in mind! ^^

 

[Plushness]

I don't know anything abt leghorns...but this is what the internet says

I guess it is a good indicator of their friendliness to humans if that is the first thing popping up on search results lol.

 

[mcdze]

just keep working at it .. i had one that was super panicky from a couple of weeks old and was just always like that .. that one is now around 2yo and its finally got used to the routine stuff and will hang around right up to 'brushing' distance .. still dont let me touch it .. the others, well its common for me to have to pick them up and set them out of the way while im choring around the coop .. theyll complain but dont freak out

 

[Tunie B]

My leghorn girl was also freaky about cuddles as a chick, but she has mellowed now that she’s laying. Betty Egg White is close to top of the pecking order, but is nice to people. My flock free-ranges, and I think that helps all the chickens get along.