I care.... but not like I thought I would.

[Living_Legend]

My 10 chicks will be 2 weeks old tomorrow. All healthy running around like crazy in their large brooder. I attend to them once a day for 5 minutes. Quick clean up. Fresh water. Refill food. Even added soil from the yard today. Picked one up that i thought had pasty butt but it really didnt just poop stuck to her below butt and still cleaned her. Adjust hight of heat plate. Then I'm on to the next thing.

My instinct is to leave them alone but maybe too much. When I show up it's like the giant is here to eat us mode. I care but I don't have a need or desire to hang out. I have no desire to cuddle or have one in my lap when they are older......

Are they all going to turn out mean or skittish of humans?

I don't want my 2 young kids messing with them right now, they are 2.5 yr old and a 5 Month Old. More worried about disease or sickness then about being buddy buddy with the hens.

When I read the You know when you are a back yard chicken owner when..... and all the responses made me think well that is not me. I guess time could change things.

Sorry for rant. Holla.

 

[Dawnclucks22]

Don't worry, your time will come

You seem to be taking very good care of them. It sounds like they may grow up skittish, though, based on how they freak out when you come. Try taking a handful of treats with you whenever you come to change their water/food/bedding and they'll start looking forward to you coming.

The more you handle chicks, generally the friendlier they will turn out, or at least not aggressive.

Health concerns are understandable. They're animals, of course! However, I've had chickens since I was little, kissing them, cuddling them, and hanging out all the time. If you make sure your kids don't touch their face when they have "chicken hands" (well I suppose the baby won't be holding them ) and make sure they wash their hands right after, holding chicks might be a fun idea.

Not everyone likes to hold and cuddle animals, especially birds, and that's okay. I hope you enjoy your flock!

 

[Erin80]

I don’t hold my chicks too often because I don’t want to be pooped on, lol. I do put some of their feed in my hand once a day or so and hand feed them, and pet their chests if they let me. They are a week old. Some come running right to me, others hang back. All depends on the chicken!
My kids are 9, 7 and almost 5. They do hold them but always wash their hands after, as do I. We do the same after hanging out with our one year old hens out in the coop. Most days I’m out there once or twice checking on food, water and eggs and that’s it....but they are all friendly birds. You don’t have to be chicken obsessed to own and enjoy chickens. But you may BECOME obsessed.....

 

[lazy gardener]

My birds are live stock: Garden tillers, bug eaters, manure producers, egg producers, and entertainment. They are also a source of exercise. I rarely hold, snuggle, cuddle them.

 

[SueT]

You'll be fine. Your chickens will be fine. Kids as young as yours are best not handling chicks. Some people make pets of their chickens and dote on them, others don't. This site includes all types and purposes.

 

[Living_Legend]

Thanks for the feedback. After reading the "You know you are a backyard chicken owner when...." thread scared me a little. Like should I not be owning chickens? I will deffinitly take care of them but I'm not that as on an emotional attached animal person. Maybe I will try to hand feed them some snacks to split the difference. Any suggestions? I did put down a small plate of scrambled egg whites and they just walked over it like it wasn't there.

 

[SueT]

My latest batch wasn't interested in anything that wasn't their normal feed either. Now they are 2 months and finally interested in other foods. There is a practical purpose in giving treats, and that is training them to come when called. Extremely helpful if free ranging, or if you need to doctor one of them. But not required.

 

[Thyme4Chickens]

Hi! I'm new to chickens - just got our first chicks the beginning of the month. I have a 2yr old - she adores watching the chicks. As she's too young to handle them, I've been finding other ways to involve her in their care: she helps me grind their chick grit a bit smaller, then watches while I fill the feeder. She talks to them ("chicks chicks chicks chicks") and loves to describe what they are doing ("jump!" "run!" "eat!") We sing some gentle songs while sitting next to the brooder. The chicks come over to watch her and seem to enjoy her company.

I can only imagine how busy you are with a baby, a toddler, and chicks! Just wanted to encourage you that if you want to get your toddler involved, there are ways that don't involved handling.

 

[Living_Legend]

Hi! I'm new to chickens - just got our first chicks the beginning of the month. I have a 2yr old - she adores watching the chicks. As she's too young to handle them, I've been finding other ways to involve her in their care: she helps me grind their chick grit a bit smaller, then watches while I fill the feeder. She talks to them ("chicks chicks chicks chicks") and loves to describe what they are doing ("jump!" "run!" "eat!") We sing some gentle songs while sitting next to the brooder. The chicks come over to watch her and seem to enjoy her company.

I can only imagine how busy you are with a baby, a toddler, and chicks! Just wanted to encourage you that if you want to get your toddler involved, there are ways that don't involved handling.

My 2 yr old son says hi and bye to the chicks when we pass them in our garage coming and going. He wanted in the brooder and to hold (grab) them. It might actually be a good thing to sit him down with me and watch them. Talk about what they are doing. He is a little wild and that could help him and our relationship with the chicks at the same time. Thanks.

 

[3riverschick]

Living legend,
they are chickens, not puppies. don't worry about it. they'll be just fine. I think you're doing great . you have other things going on in your life and it's going to take them a while to growg up. don't worry about some definition of backyard breeder. you're doing fine . if you don't fall in love with chickens as pets it's not a disaster. I think you are very wise to keep the children away from them at the kids age . If you don't fall in love with them, that's just fine. you'll have a nice laying flock with fresh eggs for your children
enjoy life and let the chickens grow up.
Best, Karen