How to bond with shy chicks

[CoolClucker]

Hello. I have 14 girls and they range from being enamored with me, to indifferent, to shy. I feed mealworms and crickets out of my hand, and have about half of them where they will come and sit in my lap. I have a few others that are more shy, they will eat out of my hand, but won't come up to me or sit on my lap like the others. If I try to hold them, they squawk and are frightened. I don't want to stress them, but want them to know it's ok. Should I pick them up anyway or let them come around on their own? Do I just keep up the feeding and they'll come around like the others? I don't want to do the wrong thing to where they aren't tame or don't like me when they grow up. They are 10 days old and the shy ones are Light Brahma, Barred Rock, and Araucana. I want them all to love me, it makes me a bit sad! Also, their brooder is on the floor in our insulated garage, but I always sit on the floor when reaching for them, feeding them, etc. The only time I reach in from above is when changing feed/water/etc. Won't fit through the front door so have to go above. Anyways, any advice is helpful. I'm brand new to being a Mama Hen! I have one little Orpington girl who adores me. She sits on my shoulder, snuggles in my lap and sleeps, and when I have to put her back in the brooder she breaks my heart b/c she tries to follow me and doesn't want me to go !

 

[sumi]

Chicks, like humans, have different personalities. Some are outgoing and some more reserved. The trick to winning a chicken's trust is patience, treats and time spent with them. Like you are doing now. Sit with them, talk to them, give them treats and let them associate you with nice things. They will come round, just give them time and keep doing what you are doing.

 

[azygous]

Sumi is right. You just need to spend time with them, and don't give up. But don't worry about stressing them out. You have them at the perfect age to begin some intimate bonding.

Mine are exactly the age of yours. I have six little ones in my brooder in the garage. I usually begin "lap-training" before this, but all my focus has been on one very tiny, sick chick. She's coming alone nicely, thank you.

What I do is take two chicks at a time out of the brooder and go sit somewhere with them. I usually spend time on the computer while holding them. They snuggle under my chin, or perch on my shoulder, or sleep in my lap. About fifteen minutes a session will do it. Do it every day.

At first they squawk and complain as if they were being taken to slaughter, but they quickly settle down and enjoy the closeness. Some breeds are more naturally inclined to bond with us, but they will all respond to lap-training by being more calm and tame. As adults, these will be the ones who pester you for hugs and will jump into your lap the minute you sit down.

 

[sweetie pie]

Yes you are doing the right thing. I have 4 7 week old chicks and I've always heard Buff Orpingtons are very friendly. My Buff does not even run when I pick her up. She loves to snuggle on my lap and so does my Barred Rock. My Amerucana is very uneasy when I pick her up. She peeps really loud. I still hold her and talk and stroke her. I do hope she gets tamer soon. Good luck to you

 

[CoolClucker]

I only have a couple that don't seem interested in me, or are wary of me, not sure which. funny enough, two of those are light brahmas. :/ hmm ..

 

[3chickchicks]

My buff brahma is the most shy out of my three as well. I wonder if the breed is just more shy than others.

 

[azygous]

Here's what to do. Sit down and get comfortable. Have a carton of meal worms or grated cheese handy. Turn chicks loose and show them the goods. They'll swarm all over you. Note the Buff Brahma chick. She has no problem with shyness. The others are Welsummers. Likewise. They are four weeks old.

 

[trooper]

My chickens are comfortable with me.I have an Blue Wynadotte and he is also comfortable.He does his dance and show at times,but isn't aggressive.I don't pick them up much,but they are all around my feet when I go into their area.When I do pick them up they may or may not squawk;but when they were peeps when I picked them up I always whispered in their ears or went shh like you do a baby to get them to quiet down.I have found that this soothes them and makes them feel comfortable.I imagine that if you picked them up all of the time they would do great

 

[HenriettaPlume]

So glad I found this thread. My Olive Egger and Dominique are real lovers, but my Black French Copper Marans would rather have nothing to do with me. When I pick her up she screams and tried to get away. They are all two-and-a-half weeks old. I have been doing the lap training, and I think it's helping. I hope my Marans grows out of this pouty stage!