How to raise friendly chicks?

[centrarchid]

My ten week old Silkies need to be chased down. One you catch them they will only stay in your arms four a few minutes.
They have been with me since they were a few days old.
Really bummed.
I was told they were the friendliest chicken for kids.

Avoid chasing them and switch switch over to enticing them with treats and some sort of signal that treats are forth coming.

 

[Butterflygirl50]

I have ten Silkies, a family friendly chicken, ten weeks old that just run when they see anyone.
You have to fight to pick them up and even after holding them and petting them, they scratch to get away.
I don't understand.
I've had them since day two.

 

[centrarchid]

I have ten Silkies, a family friendly chicken, ten weeks old that just run when they see anyone.
You have to fight to pick them up and even after holding them and petting them, they scratch to get away.
I don't understand.
I've had them since day two.

Stop picking them up. Get some live meal worms and sit down in a location that is near where they go to hide. Toss a small number on the floor in front of the birds so they can see and eat them. Once they figure what is offered you can entice them to approach by tossing meal worms closer to you each time. Do not grab at the chickens. Do not stare directly at them either. You can also start procedure with chickens confined to a cage. Again, go for a time without grabbing them. With minimal work they will be coming to you when called. Done properly they will come only when called and otherwise not be scared of you.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I use a specific whistle when bringing them food scraps, leftovers or old fruit. Any vocal que will work and become a command. Being food oriented animals soon come running to the command without any food being offered. Pavlov and his dog thing.

For lap chickens it takes a lot of time sitting with them and frequent small offerings of treats. We prefer chickens to be chickens and the sight of them running to greet us is enough. My first batch of birds years ago I could easily pick up once they were laying age as they'd just squat down when I walked near. That was nice but it also made one so friendly she'd peck at my leg and pull pant legs all the time expecting food to drop down. That was a bit much and since then only go for the running when called and that they are unafraid to be a foot or two away if I stand still. I can't pick up my birds unless pulling them from the coop or nests anymore.

 

[Butterflygirl50]

Hi. I only try to pick them up once a day. I've gone through many bags of meal worms but they have not worked in getting them closer than about four feet away.

I eventually just leave some in a pile and walk away. As I'm walking away they attack them lol.

Even with the kids they were friendly as chicks, but ever since they turned about five to six weeks they don't want human interaction.

I went in the coop at 7:30 tonight to close the windows as is going to pour and my mom asked what happened in the coop due to the loud noises the chicks were making.

I wasn't even near them.

I just don't get it. I'll give it another month but I bought Silkies because they were family friendly. My kids can't interact with them without getting scratched up.

I have thought to get more chicks but am afraid when the time comes too add them to the flock these girls will hurt them.

Just sad right now at the way things are going.

 

[twilightgecko]

seriously, just lots and lots of interaction.. and sure, they follow for the treats.. i dont think they ever lose that.. so i pick healthy treats.. but i can't make a move without my girls at my heels.. my hubby calls me the pied piper of chickens.. lol.. my girls will walk in the house and hop on the couch.. lol..

 

[Belle Pepper]

I think chickens do have unique personalities that sometimes can't be changed no matter what. The only chicks that I have Hatched (both Roos) are mean. I have 9 pullets/hens and one is a lap chicken (Dominique)when she wants to be. If I forced it she wouldn't do it. I started by sitting on the ground with treats in my lap. It worked with her, but none of the others. I can touch most of them and they all seem to know their names. I try to touch each one every day and I say their name when I do. My most skittish pullet (lavender Orpington) runs away anytime I say her name - even if I am across the yard and say her name. They all will take treats from me though. Don't give up! I am still determined to befriend my Orpington.

 

[twilightgecko]

if my gals want out of the coop in the morning, they have to get a pet as they come out.. ah, its just patience.. i did a lot of sitting on the ground with treats too.. it works.. even the shy ones will be curious enough to come check you out..

 

[Finge]

My now 9 week old pullets and 1 cockerel would run from me like I was satan himself, I got sick of running around their brooder coop trying to catch them. So the morning after a 2 hour run around the brooder coop, I opened the door, but wouldn't let the chicks out like I usually did. I blocked their path, and picked up each one, holding them so they were sideways, clamping one wing down, one leg through my pinky and ring finger. I held them with one hand, and the other I pecked and stroked them til they stopped struggling and cheeping. I did this with all 11 chicks when they were they were 4-5 weeks old. I did this for a week, and my pullets started tolerating the petting, and I could slowly walk up to them pet them on their breast, then pick them up, my cockerel despised my method of taming him, and pecked back, which I guess is also a good way to see how many cockerels you have, lol!

I had 3 different breeds(Barred rock, Ameraucana, silver laced wyandottes) during this, with 3 chicks that were a week younger than the rest, these three seemed more a lot more friendly, so i'd start this method on future chicks either a week old or start at 4 weeks old. The 4 week old barred rock chicks were the friendliest little turds, one more so, and would hop onto my shoulder or climb up my back when I knelt down and perch on me while I did chores. He was sadly killed by my problem child doxies.

 

[Butterflygirl50]

They have never followed me. Even with a bunch of fruit, mealworms, etc.

They see me coming and go in the opposite direction. With the kids too, who are older - teenagers.

It's depressing for them. Only one even tries anymore. They were really friendly and then stopped.