How do I tame flighty two week-old chicks?

[Annie44]

Hello, all!

So, two days ago I bought six Ameracuana chicks, who are two weeks old. Whenever I put my hand in the brooder to change the water or food, they go into a frightened frenzy and flap away into the corner. I want to be friends with my chickens, so how would I tame these? Any help is appreciated! Thank you!

~ Annie

 

[hrhta812]

That's pretty normal, from my very limited experience. I raised a few EEs last summer and they run right up to me when I go out there, and follow me all over, but when they were tiny and in the brooder, they acted just the way yours are doing now. The hand coming from above is scary. Being cornered also adds to the fear level.

It's really just an issue of them getting used to you and that comes from repeated positive interaction. If you can just sit there and talk to them, especially if you can get to more of an eye-level position with them, they'll get more used to you. I've read that hand feeding mealworms is one way to win them over.

If you just spend time with them, they'll get used to you, and then when they're bigger and they can be loose around you, you'll see that they've learned to trust you.

 

[Annie44]

Thank you! That makes me feel better. You're right; they've already gotten more used to me!

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Yep, I agree. When my chicks were in the baby brooder inside, I had to reach in from above to do stuff. Now they've moved to my outside brooder which has a door on the front so I don't go in from above. Everytime I open the door now they come running right to me (which makes feeding and watering a tad difficult since they're mobbing me). Don't worry, they'll love you soon enough

 

[Annie44]

Thanks, Haha cute

 

[aggiemae]

It seems that if you don't get them in the first few days they tend to be more shy. We have a hen that we got at 2 weeks old she got on find with the batch of same aged chicks but didn't really warmed up to people until she was a pullet.

The current batch of chicks is the first one that we picked up within 24 hours of hatching. Two of them (Cookoo Marans) are hand shy in the brooder but two of them (Buff Orps) actually try to hop into my hands while I am cleaning out the brooder. All eight of them follow me around the utility room and even venture out into the family room if I let them.

 

[SHelms]

My 2 week olds got a lot better when I switched them to a wire dog kennel (they out-grew their storage box). They, too, were really flighty when I approached them and especially when I reached down to them. (Oh no!! a hawk, a hawk!!) Now they don't run when I approach them. It does make it harder to reach them since there is only a door at the end. They love that they can see out now. (3 RIR, 3 Black Sex-Link)