How often should i hold/play with chicks?

[tankernav1]

I'm wondering too if we are doing something wrong. I want SO badly for them to be friendly when they grow up but they have seemed so scared from day 1. We handle each of them a couple of times a day, but only for a few minutes. They don't seem to mind our hand in the brooder but goodness, don't pick them up! They usually calm down once we have them but are anxious to get back into the brooder. I'm afraid they will jump from my hands when I'm holding them. We have 4 EE and 4 Buff Orp. that are 2 weeks old today. I'm hoping that as they get older it will get better. Plus I can't wait to give them treats---I figure they will like that. Maybe get excited when we come. We do have them in a brooder in the bathroom to protect them from the cats and dogs in the house. So they aren't seeing us around them all the time. Only when we go in to handle them or check their food and water. Is there anything else I should be doing? I hope to get some grit for them in the next week so we can start giving them some grass and bugs. Thanks!

 

[newfmadible]

They don't seem to mind our hand in the brooder but goodness, don't pick them up! They usually calm down once we have them but are anxious to get back into the brooder. I'm afraid they will jump from my hands when I'm holding them.

I have the same problem with my chicks. They are two weeks old. I have 22 of assorted breeds and I try to hold a few each time I am checking on them. I have started giving a few treats and they will eagerly run to my hands for that and eat in a kind of "feeding frenzy". Some will stand right in my hands and eat, but as soon as I pick one up they scream bloody murder and try to get away. I hold them close so they will feel secure, but in truth, I am the one who never feels secure. I am afraid they will jump out of my hands at the first chance. I really envy those of you who talk about having your chicks sit on your lap and fall asleep. How do you keep them from just taking off? My brooder is out in my garage now and I sure don't want them to get loose in there. I don't think I would ever catch them. What am I doing wrong???​

 

[Lunachick]

Quote:
I have the same problem with my chicks. They are two weeks old. I have 22 of assorted breeds and I try to hold a few each time I am checking on them. I have started giving a few treats and they will eagerly run to my hands for that and eat in a kind of "feeding frenzy". Some will stand right in my hands and eat, but as soon as I pick one up they scream bloody murder and try to get away. I hold them close so they will feel secure, but in truth, I am the one who never feels secure. I am afraid they will jump out of my hands at the first chance. I really envy those of you who talk about having your chicks sit on your lap and fall asleep. How do you keep them from just taking off? My brooder is out in my garage now and I sure don't want them to get loose in there. I don't think I would ever catch them. What am I doing wrong???

Mine are 2 weeks old too. I don't think you're doing anything wrong, but maybe they sense you're feeling of insecurity. Do you do activities in the garage are where they will see you often? Do you check on them often?

I have mine in a brooder on my pool table in the playroom/computer room. And they see us often going in and out of there, I only have a chance once a day to pick them up and snorgle them, after I get home from work. I think there are always going to be some chooks that are friendlier than others. I have two that tolerate me holding them, and I make sure I open my hand when I lower them back into the brooder and usually they just stand on my hand for a minute then jump off. The other two scream bloody murder, but when I grab them I coo like a momma hen and snorgle and put them back. I might just take some time before they realize I'm not going to pop them into my mouth!

I'm nervous about them flying out and about in the room too. Haven't figured out what to do about that yet, so we're in the same boat.