How to make chicks friendly

[mommiesrcool]

hi so I have 2 RIR that are 9 weeks old and they aren't as friendly as my meat birds were like my meat birds would run-up to the gate to greet me whenever they heard the door open but with my chicks, they don't really come up to me and if I approach them they run inside their coop and if I try to catch them while their in the coop to pet them they run out the coop, if you have any tips on how to make them more friendly please let me know, thank you!

 

[azygous]

It ideally occurs in the early chick days when you gain their trust. Newly hatched chicks will be looking for a benevolent presence to fixate on. Handling baby chicks by approaching them from the side, not from overhead, is the best way to get them to trust you.

With older chicks, you need to start from scratch to gain their trust. It's not as easy as with tiny chicks, and it requires more time.

Start by sitting in their run and letting them get used to your presence. When you see they are comfortable with you being there, offer a treat from your hand stretched out. Over a period of days, gradually pull your hand in closer to your body so they need to overcome their fear of closeness.

When you see them comfortable taking a treat from your hand held close to your body, slowly touch them. Gradually go from touch to stroking. Soon you will be able to handle them without a huge drama of squawking and screeching.

 

[Lovem all]

Give them time, all chickens go through the phase of no no no im a teenager dont pet me. I wouldn't chse them about trying to catch them it'll come around eventually. Don't force it. Also treats help lol

 

[mommiesrcool]

It ideally occurs in the early chick days when you gain their trust. Newly hatched chicks will be looking for a benevolent presence to fixate on. Handling baby chicks by approaching them from the side, not from overhead, is the best way to get them to trust you.

With older chicks, you need to start from scratch to gain their trust. It's not as easy as with tiny chicks, and it requires more time.

Start by sitting in their run and letting them get used to your presence. When you see they are comfortable with you being there, offer a treat from your hand stretched out. Over a period of days, gradually pull your hand in closer to your body so they need to overcome their fear of closeness.

When you see them comfortable taking a treat from your hand held close to your body, slowly touch them. Gradually go from touch to stroking. Soon you will be able to handle them without a huge drama of squawking and screeching.

Give them time, all chickens go through the phase of no no no im a teenager dont pet me. I wouldn't chse them about trying to catch them it'll come around eventually. Don't force it. Also treats help lol

well i cant sit in their run because this is what their coop looks like, i did sit a few fet away from the run and when they saw i had cabbage they RAN to me but once i put my hand out to pet them they start to run away which like you said will take time for them to gain trust, thank you guys for the info

 

[Lovem all]

good luck

 

[Lovem all]

good luck

 

[CluckerFamily]

I normally sit in my run with the flock. Don't reach for them, let them come to you. They need to trust you, it will take some time, the reach will scare them. Just talk to them and give them time.

 

[Lovem all]

x2

 

[Lovem all]

x2

 

[mommiesrcool]

good luck

thank you, because I'll need it !