how to play with non people loving chicks

[debilorrah]

That Pom Pom comments sent me into fits of giggles. It struck my funny bone HARD!

 

[artsyrobin]

I have our bantams in the tub in the spare bathroom, so i will sit on the floor and hold each one awhile, and let them walk all over me- then my standards, they get handled a couple times a day and come running, and love to sit on my arm or shoulder -

the subject caught my eye too...since i do have folks that are clueless to the charm of chickens!

 

[Chicken Lil]

I was worried about how much handling, etc, was safe when I first got my chicks last summer.

Now when I try to sit down in the yard I end surrounded by all 8 of my hens. Some on my lap, some on my shoulder, under my feet, on the arm rest. Good luck trying to relax with all those girls looking you in the eye, squaking at you!

And try to eat lunch out in the sun!! fergedabotit!!! They will steal the food right out from you mouth !!

 

[Laura78]

Talking in your ear too. Man are they loud.

 

[firedove]

I found with my chicks (which include one SSH) that reaching my hand in and scooping them up from below so they have to hop up into my hand worked much better than last year where I would reach in and pick up the chicks from above. Also, at times when you don't want to pick them up just resting your hand in the brooder an inch or two off the floor will get them curious and soon they are hoping up on their own just to be higher than the other chicks. Mine played that game for the first week and a half that I had them. First one would jump on my fingers and then another. When the second one was up on my fingers the first would perch up on my thumb which was higher and #3 would jump on my fingers. They would move up progressively like that until I had chicks all up my arm and on my shoulder. As they got older they wanted to perch on my head but I wouldn't allow that, much to their displeasure.

I also started my chicks on grit at 5 days old and started giving them the buds from broccoli tops on day 8. The tiny green buds were perfect size for them at the time. They also got plain yogurt as a treat too. Now they are eating bigger pieces of broccoli, small amounts of bread, raisins broken in half, and boiled egg as treats. They can't get enough. I do limit them to max of one treat per day though. Some days I don't give treats at all. I want them to keep guessing when/if the treat is going to come so they don't get too demanding.

Now, at 4 1/2 weeks, the chicks of mine that are friendly (because there are several that just aren't) will pop up onto the edge of the brooder as soon as I open the lid. Those that are less friendly will still run to my hand if I put it down in the brooder since they think I might have treats. Those ones will retreat after they discover no yummy things in my hand but the friendly ones will even fly after me if I walk away from the brooder.

The SSH chick is not the friendliest but he is very bold and doesn't ever run away from my hand. He will be one to hop on my hand while I'm feeding treats, but that's the only time that he will initiate contact, as soon as the treats are gone, so is he.

 

[Sequin]

If you are worried about warmth you can keep a heating pad on hand, or one of those microwaved heated bean-baggie things. I find that my chicks always settle right down when they are nice and toasty warm. This makes cuddling them cozy. Just make sure they don't get too hot. My older chicks really enjoy taking a nap with me now, and cuddle right up under my chin.

Loving on them every day in a calm secure environment will give them confidence that nothing is going to happen and they will quickly come to trust you.

 

[embkm]

My chicks tend to try to avoid me picking them up (Big Scary Hand thing I guess), but once I have them, they calm right down and never struggle. All of my feed store chicks and my female BSL like to snuggle once I have them. The RIR even falls asleep when my 8 yo DD holds her.

 

[fzouk]

This is SO helpful!! I really appreciate the comments, being a first-timer. I don't want to mess them up!

I think if they were born on Saturday then they're 5 days old now, so maybe I can start giving them small treats? I think I'll try it tomorrow.

Again- I REALLY appreciate you all writing!
Frances

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Try dipping a finger into some yogurt and then dipping it into the chick crumbles. (It's kind of like a chick parfait.) Hold your hand out into the brooder and it won't take long for them to discover the yummies. It also teaches them that hands can be nice. I know mine freak out because about half the time I'm reaching in to check for pasty butt (and that, of course, is sooooo degrading). With the yogurt fingers they associate hands with something good too. They will eventually get brave enough or greedy enough to hop all over your hand and arm.

 

[Debi214]

letting them see you is the most important if you can't handle & play with them and let them run all over you - mine are now 5 months old and very friendly - they want to come in the house and hang with me wherever I am - so funny!!!