How often should I handle Silkie chicks to encourage inprinting/bnding

[greenpixies]

My Silkie chicks are 4 days old. All my reading says to handle chicks often in order to help them to imprint and lose their fear of humans. That said, they don't seem real keen on it when I pick them up. I'm very gentle, but they sometimes run like crazy to get away from my hand when I try to pick them up.

Please advise how this Newbie Mom can find the happy (or awkward) medium between helping my chicks lose their fear of me (and checking their vents at the same time) while minimizing their trauma.

So specifically, how often should I pick them up and how long should I hold them at this young age? Any other tips for reducing their trauma and cleaning their vents is also appreciated. Thanks gang!

 

[FMAFarms]

I hold our Silkie chicks five times a day, about one minute each time, holding them securely but gently, and stroking their backs and their chests while I murmur to them. Morning, early afternoon, late afternoon, around dinner time, and then before bedtime. Our new chicks hatched on Monday and they're all very sweet and docile. I slowly (SLOWLY!) put my hand in the brooder and call to them gently, then open my hand palm up. Some just climb on. Others, I slowly but gently scoop up. At about one week I introduce crumbled mealworms as an extra little treat for them. Just love those Silkies!

Oh, be sure your hands aren't cold when you pick them up!

 

[greenpixies]

Oh thanks so much for the tips!

My chicks seem a great more skittish than your home hatched ones. Maybe this is because they were poked prodded and oogled for a day in the feed store immediately after two and a half days in the postal service. That would definitely make me a nervous wreck.

I will go try the approach you mentioned and see if any come to me. So far they are clearly fearful. Also, I don't think that my wiping their vent areas has helped as they are associating this with being picked up. Do you think if I just check vents 2 or 3 times a day and hold for another 2 or 3 times without touching vent area they may become more receptive?

Can't wait until they're a week old. I'm sure offering treats will be a great enticement. Great tips, thanks again!