how much handling??

[lauren6]

How much handling should you do with a baby chick so they will be tame?

 

[annie3001]

lllots of handling..... so the baby chick knows who their momma is..

just as a rule: wash the hands!!! always

 

[Keene's coop]

as much ans as often as you can

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

Yep. As much and as often as you can.

And

.

 

[5chickenluver7]

as much as you can! the more you play with them the tamer they will be..... mine are super friendly and i played with them all the time when they were little!

 

[catdaddy66]

I have read that too much handling stresses the chicks, but who's to say what "too much" is? They need to know that the hand is good to them and brings food/treats/etc. I would err on more handling vs less handling.

 

[Chickenmaven]

If you can sit near the brooder & let the chicks perch on you ... eventually take treats from you, they will ADORE you. Obviously, you do not want to manhandle them. (Or let kids smoosh them!) The hens that I brooded in my basement (2 yrs. ago) really see me as mama. They RUN to me (like ahhhhh!) when I am in the yard. A couple are super tame & fight for a seat on my lap. Not all of them are so bold. However, I would suggest that you handle each & every chicken. They need to be comfortable being handled. In an instance of an injury, you don't want to have to chase & net a bird. It is so much better if they will squat for you.
Don't be shy about enjoying them. Conversely, don't be guilty or weird if you cannot spend a ton of time with them. In the end, THEY have a flock & you are the *human*, the extra critter.

 

[lauren6]

thanks

I was afraid of stressing them out they dont seem to like to be picked up and held, but love to eat feed out of our hands

 

[felidaet]

I handled mine lots last year but there are a few that I wish I had handled more, such as my Buff Orpington. This year I plan to handle them more. My 10 year old daughter has lots of responsible friends. I am already starting to invite them over to handle the chicks (SUPERVISED!) when we get them in April. I invited a couple (and their parents) tonight.

 

[Amigatec]

Quote:
Or there Daddy!!