How much handling?

[Pattymal]

We succesfully hatched 8 chicks on Wed and now my kids- ages 3 & 5 are driving me nuts!!!
They are very good with the chicks and so far I have allowed them to sit on the floor and each hold one chick, for about 10 minutes at a time.
They want to do it ALL DAY! LOL
How much handling can these little ones take?
(I can't wait until I know they are big enough to peck HARD when they are unhappy!)
Thanks!

 

[Cuban Longtails]

I don't really like to handle mine much when they are babies. It tends to stress them out and cause problems. Plus, they need to be free to eat and drink and poop when necessary for proper growth.

The most I do is talk to them, maybe pet a few of the more brave ones. When they get a few weeks older and start to run and jump around is when I start coaxing them with treats so they'll tame down.

 

[bawkbawkbawk]

I've often seen warnings against over-handling when they're brand new.

That said, I probably held my four half a dozen times a day from the get-go, and a number of friends stopped by the first week and held them also. Never for more than a few minutes at a time. They were fine.

 

[edb]

I've got one pecking on the desk here now. It's a sole survivor of a raccoon raid on my coop. I hope it does well, it seems to be eating and drinking very well. This one will tag along behind me, it'll get a little yard time in the morning.

 

[TheFreundFlock]

I know how you feel! I have a 4 year old and a 21 month old that are going crazy! " MOMMY can we play with the chickens!?!" or " I want to see my chicken!" ect!! I got my week old chicks in on Weds.!

We visit them often, but I will only let the handle them for a few mins, when I let the chicks play in the run, SITTING DOWN!!!

This is VERY important!! My daughter accidentally stepped on one yesterday and it had to be put down!

I let the chicks have an 1/2 -1 hour run time! They love it and seem very content!

But IMO it is better for the chicks to get to know the kids NOW and form a relationship with them so that when they get older they are kid friendly!

 

[Judy]

I have never figured out what the problem with handling is, assuming the common sense stuff like being gentle, and giving them plenty of opportunity to eat, drink and poop. That and not forcing the issue. That is, rather than let the kids run one down, have them lay their hand in the brooder and wait til someone climbs on -- as they will, esp. with a bit of food or treat.

 

[Chicky Tocks]

I handled mne about a half dozen times a day. Each one of them (12 of them) got about 2 or 3 minutes of handling at a time. With children, I would ask them to sit on the floor and hold them in their lap and stress the gentleness.

In return, I have some of the sweetest teenage chickens I could have ever imagined. Not all of them want to be handled now, but there are 4 of them that insist that they be lap, shoulder and even head chickens. My roo will run up to the roost so that he can get on my shoulder. He also will jump straight up into my arms. Sweetest guy ever!

Handle those babies. Gently and briefly at first. Talk to and treat them after they're a few weeks old, and they'll love you as much as you'll love them.

 

[cmom]

My chicks are nearly 3 weeks old. I don't handle mine very much. They will let me pick them up. I think it stresses them out some especially when they are chicks. We have a friend who has a 8 yr old son who likes to try and catch the chicks. I have asked him politely not to chase them but when he thought I wasn't looking he was back trying to catch the chicks again . I told tell him he could look but not to touch.

 

[Pattymal]

I ended up putting a bell on the lid of the brooder!!!
That way I can hear if my kids are doing anything more than 'just looking'.
I also figured it would alarm me in case our cat gets in there (the chicks are in the spare bedroom) and tries anything!

I am absolutely amazed at how good my 3 year old is with them- she's a natural! Holds them just right, and they calm right down and settle in her little hands. It is SO SWEET!
Tonight one hopped up and perched on her finger and she was so tickled!

My 5yo is a little wilder- she has a hard time sitting still under any circumstances, and if I don't watch her very closely she tries to 'play' with the chicks a little too roughly.

My daughter accidentally stepped on one yesterday and it had to be put down!

Oh that is so sad!
I am sorry- you poor daughter must have felt so bad!!!
I can easily see my daughter doing the same, so thank you for the warning!​

 

[danielle82]

Quote:
Oh I love that idea! I have a four year old and a 3 year old. My 4 yearold daughter is pretty good, but my 3 year old son...he tries to be good, but I'm positive that without supervision and help he would get a little forcefull with them.
I let the kids sit on the floor and let the chicks walk on them, but they are'nt allowed to touch them, just to "let" the chick walk on them lol so far so good!