I’ve had it!!

[HuffleClaw]

Today, I put 10- 3 week old bantam chicks outside... I went inside their pen to add more feed and change the water... they were so scared of me one killed itself trying to fit through the wire, the rest of the acted like I was some killer on the lose... now left with nine bantam chicks...
Ever since they hatched I’ve held them all hoping for nice bantams.... nope, they weren’t having it!

Ever since I got my bantams 3 years ago they’ve been nothing but trouble (except 2 or 3). If it wasn’t aggressive roosters it was aggressive hens (I know, sounds weird but...). I know people have and love bantams but I just don’t think bantam chickens are really meant for me... I much prefer the standard sized birds, and probably always will!

 

[Chicken Whisperers]

haha! We have only had one bantam in our 7 years of chicken-keeping. She was an Ameraucana- BLRW cross bantam and was the friendliest little hen around. I'm sorry your chickies are scared of you: they might like you better once they realize you're not a big monster!!

 

[ChickNanny13]

Have a friend that loves the Serama breed, she'd hatch & I'd raise then for 6 - 8 wks. They were skittish, some worst than others. After raising a few of her regular sized chicks, I know now as much as they are cute, no Seramas for me

I've since learned too that brooding them with MHP instead of heat light, helps alot with their adjustment ... They are quieter & not so skittish. I also start offering food/squished freeze dried mealworms by hand. Takes forever but once one start, others will follow & with alot of time & patience they're jumping on my arm or lap.

I'm not raising chicks for her anymore, keeping some of my own but LF

 

[HuffleClaw]

haha! We have only had one bantam in our 7 years of chicken-keeping. She was an Ameraucana- BLRW cross bantam and was the friendliest little hen around. I'm sorry your chickies are scared of you: they might like you better once they realize you're not a big monster!!

They probably will always think of me as a huge monster. thank you though

 

[HuffleClaw]

Have a friend that loves the Serama breed, she'd hatch & I'd raise then for 6 - 8 wks. They were skittish, some worst than others. After raising a few of her regular sized chicks, I know now as much as they are cute, no Seramas for me

I've since learned too that brooding them with MHP instead of heat light, helps alot with their adjustment ... They are quieter & not so skittish. I also start offering food/squished freeze dried mealworms by hand. Takes forever but once one start, others will follow & with alot of time & patience they're jumping on my arm or lap.

I'm not raising chicks for her anymore, keeping some of my own but LF

Thank you for sharing!

 

[Warayjames]

I have 2 silkies, I think they are bantam. 1 room and 1 hen from what I'm told. I got them at 3 weeks old. They have been very friendly. Maybe try that breed. They kinda get along with my 4 other chickens. We hold and pet all the time.

 

[HuffleClaw]

I have 2 silkies, I think they are bantam. 1 room and 1 hen from what I'm told. I got them at 3 weeks old. They have been very friendly. Maybe try that breed. They kinda get along with my 4 other chickens. We hold and pet all the time.

I do have silkies (they are the few bantams I sorta enjoy, but I really prefer large fowl)

 

[Shorty22366]

Have you tried going in and sitting with them and letting them come to you. Also offer them treats in your hand. Patience works best. Being closer to their size by sitting on ground with them.

 

[50-45-1]

Think of it from there point of view.
They were just introduced to a much different world today, they are totaly unfarmiliar with. Every thing is bigger and scarier. Even you!
Give them time to adjust.
Go out 4 or 5 times a day flip over a bucket, sit down and feed them some treets. Sit quietly and talk soothlingly to them. Throw them some small torn off pieces of bread. Each time you do it throw it less far. Dont make fast moves, or allow your children to either right now.
They will soon trust you and be eating out of your hand.
This is a time of adjustment. Please dont give up on them just yet.
My banties are very sweet and tame.

 

[HuffleClaw]

Thank you guys for the advice! I will try to see if sitting with them works, but it hasn’t ever worked in the past, but I am willing to try again and hopefully get better results!