How often should you hold chicks?

[Achickenwrangler#1]

I pretty much agree with rock home. My 6 weekers will now run out of the pasture to me whenever they see me and are easy to catch. The little chicks the broody taught to bit me when i 'had ' to move them they sure learn fast. Now I am letting her teach them I have food in my hand and not the enemy!

 

[littlecritters]

In addition to holding our chicks, we periodically go to the brooder, talk to them and just let a hand " dangle" down in the box. The chicks easily see our hands and come right over to explore. They have begun to like this and we can gently rub their breasts and backs without any fuss. However, if we try to pick them up without visual contact (even when talking), they squawk and flap up a storm.
Tina

 

[littlecritters]

In addition to holding our chicks, we periodically go to the brooder, talk to them and just let a hand " dangle" down in the box. The chicks easily see our hands and come right over to explore. They have begun to like this and we can gently rub their breasts and backs without any fuss. However, if we try to pick them up without visual contact (even when talking), they squawk and flap up a storm.
Tina

 

[littlecritters]

Oops, sorry about the double post from the iPad.

 

[Billy73]

Thanks for all the tips. They do seem to be getting more used to me now. The 2 big ones ate crushed cheerios out of my hand yesterday

 

[chickenrun1020]

I found that the older my chicks get the more trusting they get, I handle mine at least twice a day, and so does my daughter, we feed them treats too. they seem to like meal worms the best...lol when I pick them up I scoop them from the bottom they like that the best.

 

[highpointfarm]

I have found what works best for me, is to leave them alone for the first 2 days.... Then just sit by the brooder where they can see you... After a few days of doing this if possible cut a 2x4 inch hole in the side of the brooder as close to the bottom as possible.... Then, Slowly put your hand in the brooder FROM THE SIDE, with feed in your hand, Dont pick them up just be there... When you do this for a few days, Stick an empty hand in the brooder, They should all hop up, Its ok let them hop up.... Then start to hold them after a few days of this.... The thing I have found to work the best is to NOT make them do anything they dont want to do..... They will come around, The to the point that now my 4 month old RIR, which can be know to be a independent breed, come running up to me, and when i squat down, they hop up onto my lap, on me shoulder, on my head etc, and just sit their....

Hope this helps
Caleb

 

[andycowboy]

I was a canine handler when copping, and learned something very important - never approach a dog with your hand raised - come from a lower angle with an open hand! I've found the same thing works with my birds - they are far less worried when I approach from below. I also handle each bird - or try to - every day for a few minutes. I always approach the coop by saying "Good morning. girls!", and I stand still and talk to them for a few minutes once I enter the coop. My older girls - 9 weeks - have very little problem with me petting, and they've even gotten pretty comfortable with me picking them up. My 2 1/2 week olds are more jittery, but they are definitely more comfortable when I approach from as low as possible. As someone mentioned above, I also feed little treats by hand - several of the girls now approach me when I'm squatted down, looking for a handout.

So, in my opinion, handle as often as possible, and always handle gently!

Have a great day, and God bless!

 

[highpointfarm]

I think the reason you should come from the side, Is so that they dont mistake you hand for a hawk, and they continue to think that hawks are threats =]

 

[Rock Home Isle]

I like it when I gom out into the yard and when the girls see me they come a runnin...



Yeah...I know one is a cockerel....you'd have thought that the odds of getting a cockerel mixed in with pullets wouldn't be high. Out of 6 pullets; 2 of them are cockerels....That's approching half the flock.