How to get chicks to imprint on you?

When I was a kid, I used to take the chicks outside with me, when it was warm. I'd "study," they'd sleep on my back for heat (and poop, to my mother's despair). I'd call them when I found nice bugs and hand-feed them chick-starter.

They sort of weaned naturally, and they weren't the friendliest birds when they got older, but I could pick them up, if I was nice about it.

You have to spend a lot of time with them, and it helps if you hand-feed.
 
You have to spend a lot of time with them, and it helps if you hand-feed.

My 8-year-old daughter is a lot better at it than I am. And you're right. The secret is just time. She just messes with them -- in a gentle way that they welcome. And they recognize her. Me, they can take or leave.

As time goes by, they become less attached to her, too. But I would say that even then they remain more attached to her.
 

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