How do you get your chicks to follow you? =/

[AustralorpGirl]

Chickens are just funny. I had a roo that got pecked at by the one of the hens, and then the flock saw blood so they all joined in. I got in and took him out and brought him into the house and cared for him while he healed for almost 2 weeks. That roo was like a dog when I tried to take him back outside. Constantly underfoot and refused to stay in the coop with the flock, so I ended up giving him to a friend and he's her pet now.

 

[showjumper_girl2002]

Thanks everyone for your replies! I'll have to just wait and see as they grow up and continue to play with them. What are good treats for 2 week old chicks?

 

[showjumper_girl2002]

So I had my little chicks on the sofa and left the room for a min to come back hearing them screaming and standing on the very edge of the sofa. when I sat down they all mobbed me! now they are staying closer to me when a min ago they were content doing there own thing. As I speak jack (my suspected roo) is sitting on my shoulder! It's funny that they do things that make it seem like they're imprinted but then do other things that make it seem like they aren't :/ they crack me up

 

[LTygress]

A good treat for them is mealworms. Live mealworms would be great, but the freeze-dried kind that they sell at Tractor Supply is okay too. It's also funny to watch them with the live mealworms, as they grab one and then run all over the place trying to get away from the others (who WILL take it from them) but chirping really loud like "LOOK WHAT I GOT!"

They don't understand how the two actions counteract each other!

 

[15shenyl]

A good treat for them is mealworms. Live mealworms would be great, but the freeze-dried kind that they sell at Tractor Supply is okay too. It's also funny to watch them with the live mealworms, as they grab one and then run all over the place trying to get away from the others (who WILL take it from them) but chirping really loud like "LOOK WHAT I GOT!"

They don't understand how the two actions counteract each other!

My hens still do that when they find worms or other bugs in the yard, the others end up taking it, its really funny to watch.

 

[Bhmathews]

I have three chicks that I am fostering for my sister until this weekend. I have had them for about 6 weeks, and got them when they were 2 weeks old. They were pretty shy until they really got used to getting scratch grains once a day. I know it's not the healthiest treat, but those chickies will do anything for some "chicken crack". They run up to the edge of their run when they see me coming. The sweetest hen will let me hold her and nibble out of my hand. Just too sweet!

Except for the Roo. He stands aloof and eyes me suspiciously.

 

[ShellLea]

I had to lol at chicken crack!

 

[aoxa]

If mine see the food scoop they come running towards me as fast as they can, but none of them like to be held.

Food is the way to a chicken's heart.

 

[SEC17]

I handle my baby chicks from the first day I bring them home. They are used to being handled by the time I put them in their chicken coop/barn at around two months old. Then I go out at the same time each day calling out "girls". Once in the morning to let them out of the coop and then again around 4:30 to feed them and give them meal worms or chicken scratch (as a treat) or fruits/veggies and to collect eggs. They run towards me when they see me coming if they are running around the property or if they are locked in the coop they crowd around the gate. I have a variety of different breeds (no roosters or bantams) and they are all equally as sweet.

 

[Mommachirp]

It has took me a good 8 weeks of saying the same thing to them. I will call out "chick chicks" and they come. For the past 2 weeks or so when they see me they come all the way across the yard to greet me and follow me around. I would think as long as you are consistent they will get the hang of it soon. Good Luck

I do the same with mine. I palm feed them every time I am with them. I do the same and constantly talk to them. I say " chick chick Chickens" lol. I do that before opening their coop so they don't get startled when I open the coop in the morning. They are teenagers and they follow me every so often.