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

[rosemarythyme]

My chickens are pets but I'm also glad they're outside. I do pick them up and handle them, but don't really cuddle them and definitely don't let them hop on my lap (dirty little feet!) Nice thing with chickens is even if they like you, most of them don't NEED you the way other pets would. They want you to feed them and are curious as to what you're doing, but once you put them back in their run they're perfectly fine not seeing you for the next few hours. I already have a super clingy dog... I wouldn't want chickens acting like that too!

 

[Mountain_artist]

Hi, I don't have any advice, but I can relate to your ambivalence. I also discovered I'm allergic to the chicks and every time I DO hold them, and even when I don't, I have problems. I had to round them up today and got a little scratch, which immediately swelled up into something like a bad mosquito bite with a blister in the middle! I have a bunch of these and I just discovered it's the chicks! I've been sick with sinus problems ever since we brought them home, so no real urges for me to cuddle with them! My kids are older, 8 and 4, so they are VERY interested in playing with them and I let them.

Here's the thing though, my chicks are still spending the night in our house because our coop isn't finished (soon though!) and our weather is insane. They get lots and lots of attention and they STILL act like we are big giant monsters when we try to touch them. They will walk around us and come close to us, they will jump on a kid's knee if she has some food, but they do not want to be petted, picked up, or cuddled. They scream like we're trying to kill them when we touch them, which is pretty constant with the kids. I never had chicks so I just figured this is probably the difference between our dog and cats and these creatures which I now consider more "livestock" type animals! Sure, we enjoy them (some of us more than others) and will take great care of them, but now I totally get a farmer's ambivalent attitude towards their animals, where before I used to kind of bristle when people with chickens would casually talk about killing one and eating it, or losing one to predation. I pictured myself holding hens and talking to them while I garden. I pictured hens looking at me through the kitchen window and clucking joyfully at me, and that may come in time, I have no idea, but so far it's more blank stares, constant shit, and screeches of horror!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I pictured myself holding hens and talking to them while I garden. I pictured hens looking at me through the kitchen window and clucking joyfully at me, and that may come in time, I have no idea, but so far it's more blank stares, constant shit, and screeches of horror!

Chicks can be pretty skittish, the chickens will likely calm down once they get older. Mine still don't want to be held but they tolerate it, and they're certainly happy to circle around me when I'm gardening, they're like tiny satellites that want to destroy everything I've just planted. I also can't open the front door of the house without all the chickens immediately gathering around the run gate, hoping for treats.

 

[Fishkeeper]

Chickens are social animals, but as long as you have a group of them you don't need to fill any of their social needs yourself. If you give them food, water, and shelter, offer enrichment (toys, foraging time, treats, etc), and tend to their illnesses, you're being a good owner.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

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!

There are only two possible alternatives when raising chicks. Either your chicks will grow up on the wild or skittish side or else your tame chicks will become fodder for every fox, hawk, or other predator in the universe. It is up to you the chicken keeper to decide how your biddies will turn out. The more one free ranges the more likely it will be that your chicks will become varmint scat. Chose how you want your chicks to turn out but choose wisely.

 

[TheYLWFlock]

You should let chick sleep in your bed at least one night a week.It will make them want to cuddle when they get older.You should let chicks eat at dinner table one night a week they will respect you as they get older.You should let chicks borrow your car at least one night a week they will trust you more when they get older.You should eat fried chicken one night a week this will remind you they are just chickens.

LOL! So true! We have to remember that although we love them, they are just chickens.

 

[happychickies101]

They may turn out skittish but probably not aggressive, even if you don’t desire to hold them, it will help on the future when you have to handle big hens.

 

[llombardo]

I'm opposite of the OP..I care but not like I thought I would.

I thought they would be nothing more then chickens, then I started observing them. I realized they have personalities, they can learn things. It was intriguing. I handled them when they were small, up to about two weeks. They are now about 8 weeks and very comfortable with me. They climb in my lap and lay down. I have never been pooped on--probably just luck. Hands are washed before and after handling. They have grown on me and are just as important as my dogs and cats. I was even able to teach 2 of them drop it today and they picked it up rather quickly.

 

[Dawnclucks22]

I was even able to teach 2 of them drop it today and they picked it up rather quickly.

You taught them that?? Teach me your ways!

 

[bobbi-j]

I am not a chicken cuddler either. I enjoy watching them, caring for them, and collecting eggs, but they are not pets. Some will try to make themselves be pets, and I do oblige them. If I have one that comes up to me I'll pet it if it allows. (I had a BLRW that was under foot every time I turned around. She was kind of a pet.) I hate it when I lose one, but mostly I'm mad at myself when it happens because I feel like I've failed them. I got a batch of chicks yesterday - one didn't make it through the night. I can't even say I'm heartbroken about it. Yes, it's sad that the chick died, but I saw that it was sickly, and I hadn't had time to get attached. I've had chickens long enough to know that getting attached isn't always a good thing. They tend to be relatively short-lived, and losses are inevitable.