1. First impressions are the most important (imprinting). 2. Consistently slow and gentle - no sudden moves (hold them for a bit each day when moving them to and from the brooder when changing bedding - good to talk to them, not important what you say just use the same tone of voice). 3. Feed them from your hand. 4. Constitently reliable, reliably consistent in care and feeding! The chooks have their own ways, schedules and interests but, if the above suggestions are implemented, at the end of the day they'll all show up to hang out with you while they preen and gossip. But `tame' a chick? I think if we're doing good (from the chick's perspective) to get honorable mention from the flock.
Make sure that you spend at least ten minutes a day with them if not longer. Our chicks are very much in love with us, with the exception of one who is very skiddish. Our two Truffles and Queenie are very freindly and will eat from our hands, fly up to usif the lid is open, and it looks like they'll fall asleep while holding htem. We're sitll giving China all the love an attention that we think that she needs. Remember that they're just little babies and could possibly be afraid of you at the moment. Don't grab at them make sure that you're very, very, very gentle with them. I mean very. Pet at them with two fingers at once if you're able to and keep your hand in their cage so they'll be used to yor presence. Soon enough they'll come running to you! They're like little children, make sure that you're acting parental with them. Be loving, kind, gentle, and above all cheerful with them! Talk to them in calm tones and try your best not to frighten them. I promise you I thought for the longest time that our little girls wouldn't like us and run away at us like the Japanese in the old Godzilla movies. But boy was I wrong. I'm sure they'll be tame in no time.
