How to make chicks cuddly and pettable? Feeling discouraged...

[abenardini]

Don't get discouraged - as others have said, not all chickens enjoy being petted or held. I do force mine to get used to being picked up though because for me, it's a safety thing. If I need to move them or pick them up, it's a lot easier if they're used to it. If you can't get them used to it, it's a pain later when they need to be physically examined for a potential health issue (just from my own personal experience when I didn't used to condition them to allow being picked up).

The things that have worked for me aside from food is mainly sitting in the run, moving around doing normal human things in their presence, talking in a reassuring tone, and when I do pick them up, I put my middle and ring fingers under their belly between their feet (tucked up toward the tail) and this has always worked for me. My daughter is a keen observer of behavior and has commented on the fact that chickens either are OK with having both feet off the ground in the air, never tucked under them when being held, or both feet supporting their body when being held. If you pick them up and their feet aren't in the air or are tucked partially under them, they immediately go to flight mode for us.

My 4 week old batch I hatched from shipped eggs are all very friendly and come when called. Every day my daughter and I have been out with them for at least 20 minutes (usually several hours is the average).

Anecdotally, another observation is that when the chicks reach 12-16 weeks, they go through a crazy psycho flight mode (between the time they are cute fluffbutts to laying,) and this has seemingly always been the case for me regardless of breed. They have always calmed down for us after these teenage years as we call them, pass. I think they enter a rebellious stage where they "do what they want."

 

[Chzikken]

I handle them from the get-go. Some are not interested in being held, others tolerate it, some love it. I have this exact situation right now.

Brahma - no touchy!

Chocolate Orp - initially "no", but likes falling asleep on my chest.

Cream legbar #1 - same as Chocolate orpington

Cream legbar #2 - "OMG! I'M FLYING UP YOUR ARM, ONTO YOUR SHOULDER, CLIMB DOWN YOUR CHEST AND SLEEP UNDER YOUR CHIN! PREPARE TO BE BOARDED!!"

 

[DonyaQuick]

If you have a suitable enclosed area for it with no risk of chick escapes, sit on the ground/floor with your chicks while they run around and be sure to have food or treats on hand. Let them come to you. I had two chicks that did not like being petted or held for a very long time - one is still a bit weird about being picked up and it has to be a very specific way for her to be comfortable with being lifted. When still in the brooder, both would eventually come sleep on my leg when I sat with them. Once out in the coop, they started hopping up to my lap if I sat on a stool. Then at some point they both became total hug addicts, which is very different from how they started out.

Cream legbar #2 - "OMG! I'M FLYING UP YOUR ARM, ONTO YOUR SHOULDER, CLIMB DOWN YOUR CHEST AND SLEEP UNDER YOUR CHIN! PREPARE TO BE BOARDED!!"

I have one like that. I get a bit nervous if I don't have any hands free when she starts dancing around looking up, since that means she's about to come bombing in.

 

[OzarkChooks]

Years ago I only had 2 chickens. They would run over to me and perch on my shoulder. Seemed to want to spend time with me. Now I have 57 that free range. They come running when I have treats but that's about it. None want to be held or picked up. Some will tolerate brief petting if it's under their beak (neck area). My rooster gives us the stink eye if we try touching the hens too much. They much prefer their own company and wander off into the pasture or woods. Compared to my geese, my chickens just aren't cuddly! I imagine if you sit outside with them and offer treats, the braver ones will hop on your lap and chow down.

 

[Dragon Slayer Trinket]

Hi,
Lots of great suggestions. All I can say is give them time. Some chicks will naturally like you depending on how old they were when you purchased them. I've raised several LOs who just love me. Silvara is my current hen, and as a chick she was very docile and was the kind of chicken who would let you flip her over. (Not saying you should do that, ) Others would hop onto my hand for rides or scurry up and perch on my head. Some will simply be more outgoing. Just don't stress them, continue to spend time with them, and they'll probably get nicer.

 

[NaperLix]

My chicken when little and as adults,love to death,corn cob boiled in sugar,couple tbsp.,I cut in half ,hold it for them while they eat.
Egg salad they love too,special treat.

 

[RiverOtter]

Just for entertainment value/hope for OP, this happened;

Meet Prianca


Check it - I had just closed the laptop, not shut it down, so it opened to the last page I was on!

 

[ChickenGirl300]

As I’ve found, babies don’t care wether you feed them treats or normal chick feed. Hold your hand out flat, let them come to you. If they get comfortable enough, eventually lift your hands up but don’t hold on to them. (Obviously make sure they won’t fall) If they get nervous when you pick them up, then don’t. Let them get used to walking on your hand, show them you give them food, and just generally keep spending a lot of time with them. Good luck!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Anecdotally, another observation is that when the chicks reach 12-16 weeks, they go through a crazy psycho flight mode (between the time they are cute fluffbutts to laying,) and this has seemingly always been the case for me regardless of breed. They have always calmed down for us after these teenage years

Yup, very good point. As "teens" even friendly chicks will often get flightier or more standoffish (and I leave them be at that point, same as when chickens molt), but once they're about to begin laying they'll calm back down and that'll likely be their personalities for the rest of their lives.

 

[CozyDia]

Thanks for all the encouragement guys, but it seems I failed. The trio who are 3-4 weeks old has moved outside into the run a few days ago with my first batch of chicks who are 6 weeks old and are integrating well together.

My first batch of chicks became less skittish around me after they moved into the run as they would crowd near me for treats, but they still won't let me touch them or pick them up. The second batch are super skittish and want nothing to do with me even if I toss food for them on the floor, which made me really sad with all the effort I put in for them. They'll only eat if I leave and similar to the first batch, they do not want to be touched or picked up.

So at the end of the day I chalk it up to failure on my part for not socializing properly with them while they were still in the brooder. I'm hoping they would warm up to me overtime similar to my first batch and maybe, fingers crossed, when they start laying eggs they become more friendly and allow me to at least touch them.

I'm taking a different approach with my third (fourth?) batch of chicks and will be handling them daily for at least an hour everyday and allowing them to wander outside the brooder with me there.

If I still get skittish chicks after their old enough to move out then I'll just accept that I'm cursed to never have any pettable chickens.