I need help - how do you get your chickens to not think your a scary predator?

[Austin_ChickenKing2020]

My chickens (2) Rhode Island Reds, 2 French Black Copper Marans, (2) Ameraucanas, (2) Speckled Sussex Pullets ranging im age from 8-10 weeks old. They will come near me when I have scratch or treats in my hands but in general if I try to get near to hold them - they flee immediately. Is this just the breed of chicken or am age thing to which they will grow out of. Or is this something I can condition them out of doing? Other than that they seem happy to be foraging around the yard but they are very flighty when I get near to try and hold them.

 

[WhyDoILikeChickens]

My chickens (2) Rhode Island Reds, 2 French Black Copper Marans, (2) Ameraucanas, (2) Speckled Sussex Pullets ranging im age from 8-10 weeks old. They will come near me when I have scratch or treats in my hands but in general if I try to get near to hold them - they flee immediately. Is this just the breed of chicken or am age thing to which they will grow out of. Or is this something I can condition them out of doing? Other than that they seem happy to be foraging around the yard but they are very flighty when I get near to try and hold them.

I have 2 RIR also and still cant get ahold of them. Had ameuricana and they are very skittish, couldn't get close. 3 black australorp and 2 of my gold comets are friendly. So far my Brahma are ok.
A lot depends on the chicken. Some are more skittish than others. What I started to do was hold them for treats. They love red grapes (probably green too but I dont like them as much so dont buy them). I would get ahold of one and hold firmly till they calmed down. Soft petting comb to back. And hand feed them grapes or whatever treat. They (some, still not all) learned to trust me. Breed does matter a lot.
Eventually this might happen!

 

[Austin_ChickenKing2020]

I have 2 RIR also and still cant get ahold of them. Had ameuricana and they are very skittish, couldn't get close. 3 black australorp and 2 of my gold comets are friendly. So far my Brahma are ok.
A lot depends on the chicken. Some are more skittish than others. What I started to do was hold them for treats. They love red grapes (probably green too but I dont like them as much so dont buy them). I would get ahold of one and hold firmly till they calmed down. Soft petting comb to back. And hand feed them grapes or whatever treat. They (some, still not all) learned to trust me. Breed does matter a lot.
Eventually this might happen!
View attachment 2131675

@WhyDoILikeChickens

thanks so much for the awesome feedback. I will keep trying to win them over. It was a struggle to get them to let me hold them today. I had to corral them in a corner so I could try to show them the roost bar in their chicken house today. :/

we have red grapes in the fridge so I will give that a try tomorrow and keep you updated!

 

[aart]

My chickens (2) Rhode Island Reds, 2 French Black Copper Marans, (2) Ameraucanas, (2) Speckled Sussex Pullets ranging im age from 8-10 weeks old. They will come near me when I have scratch or treats in my hands but in general if I try to get near to hold them - they flee immediately. Is this just the breed of chicken or am age thing to which they will grow out of. Or is this something I can condition them out of doing? Other than that they seem happy to be foraging around the yard but they are very flighty when I get near to try and hold them.

Chickens aren't like puppies or kittens...they really don't like to be touched or held.

 

[Austin_ChickenKing2020]

@CarrieW83

Actually, my first name is Austin. I don’t live in Austin, TX. My flock and I currently reside in the Pacific Northwest.
Also please feel free to watch our flock grow up on Instagram @austin_chickenking
i regularly post videos and photos of them on this account to keep peeps updated on them.

Chickens aren't like puppies or kittens...they really don't like to be touched or held.

that makes sense. I appreciate the feedback! At least, I know it’s not something I am doing and more so just their basic instinct for predator evasion.

 

[Blizzkona]

I would suggest spending time with them every day and talking to them. Just sitting down near them and saying their names will help. Giving them lots of treats will make a difference too. Getting them to eat from your hand is a very good sign and builds trust. It can take a good month, longer if they're older chickens, but it's definitely worth it!

Coming for a chicken from above is a bad idea. That's what predators do, and it's instinct for them to run away immediately. Getting on the ground and coming from the side might work a bit better. By being smaller you're less threatening. Even my most tame chicken gets frightened when I'm trying to grab her from above. I would also recommend keeping your movements slow when around them, at least until they're used to you.

For treats, I would recommend mealworms, bread, fresh greens, and berries.

I hope this helps! I'm still new to chickens, but this is what worked for me

 

[centrarchid]

I would suggest spending time with them every day and talking to them. Just sitting down near them and saying their names will help. Giving them lots of treats will make a difference too. Getting them to eat from your hand is a very good sign and builds trust. It can take a good month, longer if they're older chickens, but it's definitely worth it!

Coming for a chicken from above is a bad idea. That's what predators do, and it's instinct for them to run away immediately. Getting on the ground and coming from the side might work a bit better. By being smaller you're less threatening. Even my most tame chicken gets frightened when I'm trying to grab her from above. I would also recommend keeping your movements slow when around them, at least until they're used to you.

For treats, I would recommend mealworms, bread, fresh greens, and berries.

I hope this helps! I'm still new to chickens, but this is what worked for me

This is how it is done. Good show!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Age is also a factor. As chicks age into teens, they tend to become more skittish and less willing to be handled, even if they were perfectly fine with you before. Once they reach point of lay, they'll calm down quite a lot.

Also yes, you will appear far less threatening if you squat down, shuffle forward and reach out towards the chickens, instead of approaching them standing upright and then reaching down.

 

[Austin_ChickenKing2020]

@Blizzkona @centrarchid @rosemarythyme

thank you all so much for your thoughtful replies to my question in this thread. I will be sure to apply these recommendations. It means so much to me to be in such great community and to have good teachers!

 

[centrarchid]

Even the teenage birds will come if provided proper stimulation. My outreach birds perform just as reliably as chicks and adults. Where things break down is when the birds are in the heaviest part of the molt cycle.