How to make chicks friendly

[mommiesrcool]

I have a covered run and a rooster. Both are wonderful for predators.

Hawks are a prime predator no matter how much predator proofing you try to do. The only solution is cover. Chicks are especially vulnerable since they are easily grabbed and carried off. So lucky you were there and tragedy was foiled!

Yay for the good news! We have the occasional hawk too, but we have cover. Can you make a chicken tractor for them to graze in? If you look up plans online it would give you ideas and you can price out parts. I have seen them made out of PVC with medium bird netting and half covered with a tarp for shelter. Daytime use only though.

So my parents said that because we will be moving and we will most likely have to give my chicks away they don't want to make a chicken tractor or a hoop coop my mom only wants to get 3 fake owls but I did tell her about the PVC run that I and my dad can make and she said maybe and I have lots of chicken wire to make it as well and I can't have chickens where we live so there's no way I can get a rooster, lol

 

[mommiesrcool]

Hawks are a prime predator no matter how much predator proofing you try to do. The only solution is cover. Chicks are especially vulnerable since they are easily grabbed and carried off. So lucky you were there and tragedy was foiled!

I already lost my 2 other chicks because we bought 4 because that was the minimum (3 RIR 1 EE) 1 RIR died of sickness at 2 weeks old and the EE died at 4 weeks old because of a raccoon and these are the only 2 that survived and i REALLY hope that they make it to egg-laying stage

 

[NNYchick]

I think the breed and breeding lines can play a big part of it. My silkies are mainly food motivated and don’t seek attention like my bantam Ameraucanas, but once the silkies crest grow in you can easily pick them up and hold them.
we start out sitting on the floor next to the brooder and just lay our hand in there with chick crumble on it. After a little while they will sit on our laps and let us stroke their chest. I’ve taught my daughter not to grab at them especially from above this spooks them. We always sit on their level and let them to come to us in their own time. Once older we can walk right up to the roost and stroke their belly and chick.

 

[mommiesrcool]

I think the breed and breeding lines can play a big part of it. My silkies are mainly food motivated and don’t seek attention like my bantam Ameraucanas, but once the silkies crest grow in you can easily pick them up and hold them.
we start out sitting on the floor next to the brooder and just lay our hand in there with chick crumble on it. After a little while they will sit on our laps and let us stroke their chest. I’ve taught my daughter not to grab at them especially from above this spooks them. We always sit on their level and let them to come to us in their own time. Once older we can walk right up to the roost and stroke their belly and chick.View attachment 2384753View attachment 2384754

I saw a picture of your hoop coop how much did that cost you and do i need to use cattle panels to make that

 

[mommiesrcool]

Update: Parents said no to the PVC idea I guess I just have to hope and pray that the hawk leaves my chicks alone

 

[NNYchick]

My hoop run had no pvc. It is cattle panels with a wood base. It was about $250 but it’s 8ft by 20ft. We use utube video. Here is a better picture of the whole thing.

 

[mommiesrcool]

My hoop run had no pvc. It is cattle panels with a wood base. It was about $250 but it’s 8ft by 20ft. We use utube video. Here is a better picture of the whole thing. View attachment 2384763

wow that's really big thank you for the info

 

[Allthefloofs]

Good luck! I am rooting for you. As a parent myself I understand how hard it is to balance everyone’s needs, and as a chicken owner I understand how hard it is to lose a chicken. I am glad you got one of your ladies to let you pet them, that is very special.

 

[mommiesrcool]

Good luck! I am rooting for you. As a parent myself I understand how hard it is to balance everyone’s needs, and as a chicken owner I understand how hard it is to lose a chicken. I am glad you got one of your ladies to let you pet them, that is very special.

thank you for your kind words