How do you make your chickens more comfortable with you?

[sdm1908]

Some of my birds are a little hesitant to hang out with me, now that they're older

. What should I do so that they get more comfortable with me?

 

[Mountain Peeps]

What breeds are they? I've found that simply going out there, talking to them, bringing and feeding them treats, holding them and cuddling them, they are super tame.

 

[SixChickFlock]

Treats and training!
Pick them up without chasing them when you can, and reward them.

I play a game with mine. Jumping for treats as each gals name is called. It's a lot of fun and they seem to know their names... And sometimes the names of others. I usually use bites of bread, but mine can jump and take a single meal worm from my fingers if i hold it right. If someone jumps when her name is not called, I pull the treat back and repeat.

 

[sdm1908]

Treats and training!
Pick them up without chasing them when you can, and reward them.

I play a game with mine. Jumping for treats as each gals name is called. It's a lot of fun and they seem to know their names... And sometimes the names of others. I usually use bites of bread, but mine can jump and take a single meal worm from my fingers if i hold it right. If someone jumps when her name is not called, I pull the treat back and repeat.

What are the best treats? And when I try to give them treats they all fight each other!!! When they were small they loved being picked up, but now that they're pullets they aren't as happy to be cuddled lol

 

[sdm1908]

What breeds are they? I've found that simply going out there, talking to them, bringing and feeding them treats, holding them and cuddling them, they are super tame.

Welsummer, leghorn, and two are Rhode Island and barred rock mixes.
There's so tension in my flock because of males/ age differences.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welsummer, leghorn, and two are Rhode Island and barred rock mixes.
There's so tension in my flock because of males/ age differences.

ok so you are going to have to work a bit harder with them as these are more wild breeds. It takes treats, time and talking! Eggs, mealworms, scratch and oatmeal are treats you should try.

 

[sdm1908]

ok so you are going to have to work a bit harder with them as these are more wild breeds. It takes treats, time and talking! Eggs, mealworms, scratch and oatmeal are treats you should try.

Raw oatmeal? And omg great -.- I tried bread and they hate bread lol

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Raw oatmeal? And omg great -.- I tried bread and they hate bread lol

Raw or cooked. That's weird that they hate bread!

 

[sdm1908]

Raw or cooked. That's weird that they hate bread!

Either is fine! And I know! They got mad at me for feeding them bread lol! Also how do I give them treats? One chicken is very good with me, the chicks are okay and the pullet that is like the chick's mom had become completely different. She used to be so happy to see me, now she's always in defense mode :/

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Either is fine! And I know! They got mad at me for feeding them bread lol! Also how do I give them treats? One chicken is very good with me, the chicks are okay and the pullet that is like the chick's mom had become completely different. She used to be so happy to see me, now she's always in defense mode

Throw them on the ground and talk to the chickens at first. After a few days squat down and talk to them while the food is on the ground. Then hand feed them and talk to them.