How to raise friendly chicks?

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I had a small flock of mixed breeds years ago. Chose a yellow peep to bring in the house every night (they were on the closed in back porch as babies). As she grew, she would leave the others and come right to me. All I had to do was put Mt hand down and she would walk right onto it to be picked up. She was a Buff Orpington. She came in every night and sat with me or my big boy black lab on the couch. She would cuddle, cluck a little, was so soft and comforting.
From all I have read the Orpington and Silky breeds tend to be the friendliest. I think if you start off with them as chicks and be consistent, you'll have the more pet-like chicken. I sure miss that gal.
 
Snow Flamingo said:
I had a small flock of mixed breeds years ago. Chose a yellow peep to bring in the house every night (they were on the closed in back porch as babies). As she grew, she would leave the others and come right to me. All I had to do was put Mt hand down and she would walk right onto it to be picked up. She was a Buff Orpington. She came in every night and sat with me or my big boy black lab on the couch. She would cuddle, cluck a little, was so soft and comforting.
From all I have read the Orpington and Silky breeds tend to be the friendliest. I think if you start off with them as chicks and be consistent, you'll have the more pet-like chicken. I sure miss that gal.
Click to expand...
I've had these since chicks.
 
potato chip said:
Sitting, and relaxing. They then perceive no threat at all. You are lower, not towering over them as we do when we are standing, you are not moving so you can't be chasing them and your mind is on your cup of tea (or whatever) and not on gearing up to grab them or do anything to them.

If we put ourselves in their position, it makes sense. Suppose some person is staring at us, it makes us uncomfortable. Even when they aren't doing anything in particular, just that level of focus can affect the one being stared at. Then we are hugely bigger than a chook, imagine a GIANT was staring at us. It's a wonder any of them lets us be their friend up close.
Click to expand...

Somebody suggested stay low and make chicken noises. I put some feed in my hand flat on the floor, and made some chicken noises. Their demeanor changed and all got active and chirping (in a good way). A few of them rushed right over to my hand then backed away. Two of them got brave enough to eat out of my hand and then one stepped on my hand and continued eating. Maybe they thought I was a mother hen encouraging them to eat.

Now I got to do the dirty deed at 2:00AM...I've got two nasty pasty butts to clean. Should I do it in the bathroom with the others or should I go to another sink in house? --BB
 

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