How to get my chickens to like me?

[Chicken-lovebirdchihuahua]

ive tried A LOT of different things but my chickens are scared of me and my two roosters are not happy when I hold one of his/my hens but I love my roosters and if it wasn't for them my hens would all be hawk meat and that would be bad so what I did was I gave my hens scratch! They love it and now they love me because of it but whenever I go out there they are all begging for it and they look so disappointed when I don't give it to them so how can I get them to love me but not always beg any ideas?

 

[happyhens1972]

I'm afraid they will only 'love' you when you are giving them something they want. You could try sitting on the floor and putting the scratch close to you, then ON you, encouraging them to climb on you. Over time, you can see if they will accept strokes and then if they learn to enjoy it, they might come for cuddles as well as food. I had a cockerel who loved having his wattles and comb stroked so he had to learn that the only time he got that was sitting in my lap. I got the pleasure I wanted and so did he. You won't get love for free in chicken world

 

[Chicken-lovebirdchihuahua]

Ok thanks I did try something and it was working but I wasn't sure if it would work again but I put scratch in my lap and lots of chickens came rising over getting on my knee and one flew on my shoulder and one who I thought hates me got on my lap!! Even when I didn't have scratch but that was a one time thing I think hopefully not but she probably thought I had scratch

 

[Boonie Stomper]

Mine are happy to take pieces of fruit such as grapes and choice leftovers such as a little bread or scrap of cooked meat from my fingers. I routinely use a combination of their names and chickenese and praise for obedience like come. go. wait.
Now they follow me, let me take warm new eggs from them, and wait for me patiently. But they are still pigs with wings.

 

[igorsMistress]

Please, please, please be careful sitting on the ground if those roos are near.

I found that my hens are friendlier without a roo in the mix.

 

[Chicken-lovebirdchihuahua]

Please, please, please be careful sitting on the ground if those roos are near.

I found that my hens are friendlier without a roo in the mix.

ok thanks I will

 

[Chelsa'sChicks]

Fruit and berries are always great to get chickens to be more friendly. I don't pet my birds, but I do love them. They are not afraid of me either. They love me regardless and RUN to me whenever they see me.. I feel bad they left their spot for me cause I sometimes am just going to the store

 

[Boonie Stomper]

by the way... you might not want them to like you too much.
Early on my chickens which are all gone now had been spoiled from birth so they were hard to keep out of the house when i wanted to come inside. I had been letting them in at first and we even watched tv with them on a towel in our lap. One even stayed all night on me when I fell asleep holding it.
The poop cleanup is not much fun!

 

[MzGina]

After reading this thread... My chickens and I are normal after all!! So happy to be a part of this group Nice to see people that say and do like I do.. can not wait to show the hubby...