I have a question about Silkies...

[Critter Crazed]

This topic has probably already been discussed but I couldn't find it anywhere. I have a question about the breed Silkies.

I was told they were soooo sweet and docile and lap chickens so I hatched some Silkies. I have 9 chicks that are now about 4 weeks old and they HATE people. I've tried everything. I can't touch one without them squealing and running away. They'll only come to me if I have yogurt or something. I know they aren't afraid of me because they will climb up my hand if I have yogurt- they just hate hate HATE being touched. Not much of a lap chicken if you ask me..

Are all Silkies like this? If not how can I make my Silkies more human friendly? I really just wanted some friendly pet chickens.. you know? I hatched out a bantam cochin with the silkie batch. She (hopefully she) was supposed to be a silkie. I asked for silkie eggs but now I'm glad she's not a Silkie because she is the sweetest thing ever. She's the only one that I can touch or hold. She flies up on my lap and lets me pet her and feed her clovers when I bring them outside. So cute! So why aren't my Silkies like this? Is the breed just anti-social towards humans? Was I dooped into thinking Silkies were sweet?

Or is it just my batch?

Is there any chance my Silkies will change behavior and like humans more when I put them in the coop and I get rid of the roosters?

Thank you. I ask way too many questions lol.

 

[rizq]

I have only had one silkie. I did not want her, got her as "payment" for picking up and taking care of my Papaw's chicks when he was gone. I had no interest in silkies. She turned out to be the sweetest chick, even though I had little time to socialize her and I messed with her very little. She followed me everywhere and always wanted to be picked up and held. She made me (a very anti-silkie chicken person) want more silkies.

She disappeared yesterday and I have yet to find any trace of her

 

[WestKnollAmy]

I have only one Silkie that loves to be held and petted. She comes up to me and wants to be picked up and if I don't then she stays around my feet until I almost trip over her.
It really is individuals in a breed because we have a Australorp that is almost as bad and a cuckoo Marans hen that is like that. With over 300 chickens I should have seen it only in Silkies, Cochins or Faverolles but it doesn't always happen. I say it is the luck of the draw and there isn't much you can do or understand to make them adore you.

 

[Buugette]

I have two silkies, and they don't particularly want me to pick them up, but once I do they settle down nicely. They will snuggle down into my lap and take a nap. Seem to get a little annoyed when I put them down.

 

[Critter Crazed]

Quote:
Oh no I'm so sorry!

I hope you find her!



I see.. so it is just individual personalities. *sigh* I guess I didn't get lucky there then. Maybe they'll change when they get older. Hopefully.... Well at least I have one that likes cuddles.

I wonder if I did anything to them when they were little to not like people that much? I don't think I did.

I just feel bad that they run from me..

 

[Chicky Mama]

Don't feel bad the 3 that we have are the same way, they run like your gonna kill'em. I don't think they like being up off the ground much since they're not flyers,but generally they'll calm down once they're caught ,well sometimes.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

I think many of the crested birds tend to spook a bit more about being picked up than non-crested ones--they don't see the hand coming and are startled when all of a sudden it is THERE.

Try putting some food in you palm and approaching them with your hand as close to the ground as you can get it. Let them come to the food/your hand. Afer a bit, if one is on your hand, gently raise it and pet/stroke/love on it. Repeat frequently; after they get used to running onto your palm for a treat, start occassionally omitting the treat until after you've picked them up. And then start occassionally ommitting it completely.

You can also try taping up their crests with hair tape so that they get used to the wide open world.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

This is EXACTLY what happened to me when I hatched a bunch of silkies for my daughter's grandma.

I was used to bantam cochin chicks that hardly ever even peep...much less act like they're being slaughtered everytime I put my hand in the brooder!!

They were like this until they were about 2 1/2 - 3 months old and then suddenly...one day...they quit. Now they are so sweet, easy to pick up and hold, etc.

Continue to pick them up even if they scream and struggle. HOld them until they quiet down, them ease them back into the brooder.

Hers are 6 months old now and just great!

 

[Critter Crazed]

Quote:
Thank you, I do do this. I use yogurt. I put it on a spoon and wiggle it around. Then I put my hand in the brooder. Whoever steps on my hand first gets a spoonful! They still freak at me when I stick my hand in the brooder or try to pet them. Ever since last night I have been petting them when they eat. Some fuss but they deal with it. Some seem to enjoy it.

oldtimegators are you saying I should pick one up and hold it until it stops squealing? I tried when they were chicks but they would not calm down! I'm afraid to do that again because I don't want them to associate my hand with an unwanted holding. Then they'd be even more afraid or hate me even more.

Unless you did that with your Silkies. Maybe it makes them know your hand is not a predator? I don't know. D: I hope my Silkies get better at 2-3 months like your's did!

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm just confused and disappointed I guess.

 

[jerseygirl1]

I have only one little silkie, she's so tiny compared to my other chicks - everytime I walk in the coop, she can't run away fast enough from me. The only way I can hold her is if I throw a towel over her and pick her up. And I have to be quick about it