How to raise any poultry chicks to be hand reared?

[chickens really]

I never handle my Chicks and my Hens are all easy to catch and handle if I need too?.........



Cheers!

Same here. The thing that makes them hard to catch is if I get out the net because then everyone has a sixth sense that some roosters are moving on to freezer camp lol. Any other time everyone wants to crowd around my feet and such.

I'd run too if you chased me with a net......lol


Cheers!

 

[Dmontgomery]

Last year we raised 20 Golden Comets in a brooder on the back porch. I slowly lowered my hand into the brooder several times a day so they could see I was not a threat. Once they were old enough, we hand fed them treats like bits of bread or crushed meal worms, so they got used to being in our hands. Now that they are grown, they will jump up on the arm of my chair or in my lap, by themselves, looking to be stroked and given a treat.
Move slow and carry lots of treats.

 

[sunshine ducky]

Thanks for the feedback everyone it helped me a lot!

 

[drumstick diva]

It's also good if you sit down with them and pretend to ignore them. Maybe read a book, or sing, or have a sandwich. The braver ones will come and check you out. If you don't grab at them they will come closer. You might even drop some crumbs for them on your lap. In time they will be checking your lap and getting into it, hoping to get something more to eat.

They will also start checking you out, maybe climb on your arm or shoulder, or bury their face in your hair.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

It's also good if you sit down with them and pretend to ignore them. Maybe read a book, or sing, or have a sandwich. The braver ones will come and check you out. If you don't grab at them they will come closer. You might even drop some crumbs for them on your lap. In time they will be checking your lap and getting into it, hoping to get something more to eat.

They will also start checking you out, maybe climb on your arm or shoulder, or bury their face in your hair.

This is the best. They see you as not a threat, maybe even a flock member...not just a treat factory.

 

[sunshine ducky]

Thanks everybody this info was really useful; I do have a quick question. I heard that if you raise chicks in a clear brooder (made out of glass or plastic) and not one made out of cardboard or wood they would be nicer and tame is that true? And if it is why? Thanks

 

[chickens really]

I have never heard that.......really makes no sense......

Best of luck......


Cheers!

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Thanks everybody this info was really useful; I do have a quick question. I heard that if you raise chicks in a clear brooder (made out of glass or plastic) and not one made out of cardboard or wood they would be nicer and tame is that true? And if it is why? Thanks

This is because they can see you approaching and not become frightened when you suddenly appear over the side of the brooder.

Another way around this is to begin talking to them as soon as you enter the room so they become aware of your presence before you appear looming over them like a chicken-loving monster.

 

[Blooie]

One thing to bear in mind too is that in every batch of chicks, you could well have a couple that hate you no matter what you do, a couple more that will think you are the sun and the moon, and a few that don't care one way or the other.....they just all have their individual personality quirks. Food is always a great motivator, but there are those who will sit on your lap contented to be fed blades of grass and others you have to tempt in with filet mignon only to have them snatch whatever you have and run like their hineys are on fire. <sigh>

 

[Dmontgomery]

Thanks everybody this info was really useful; I do have a quick question. I heard that if you raise chicks in a clear brooder (made out of glass or plastic) and not one made out of cardboard or wood they would be nicer and tame is that true? And if it is why? Thanks

Its probably true. My brooder is hardware cloth on the sides so they can see me coming and it isn't a shock when I reach in.