i think my chicks hate me!!!

[gumpsgirl]

My older chicks are 7 weeks old now and they do the same thing. I've got to where I just stand there and talk to them. They usually gather around me then I squat down on their level to talk to them. Of course they freak out for a minute, but come right back to me. I then hold out my hand for everyone to examine. As of right now, I only have 1 chick that will let me pick her up and that doesn't happen all of the time. Only when she decides it's okay! Just go slow with them. They might eventually come around. If not, just remember that some chickens just don't want to be held and just enjoy them being around you!

 

[RayP]

I have 7 chicks RIR and EEs 3 weeks old and I have to pick them up every night and put them into the brooder part of the coop, I only have one that does not like to picked up now so she just walks herself in as I am picking up the others, they all do chirp a little when I pick them up put it is only for show, remember when you pick them up that the only times animals are picked up in the wild is to be eaten and that is still in their genes.

 

[stilwellchick]

No chick can possibly resist mealworms.

 

[gritsar]

As I posted earlier today: I got my chicks to liking, well loving, millet about a week ago. Now I don't just drop it into the brooder like I did at first. I make them come to me and jump into my lap if they want some. I break the seed pods off the main stem and make sure they see that I have a handful before sitting myself down next to their brooder. I think they prefer coming to me and jumping into my lap vs. being picked up. It takes a little patience, but they all do it now.

 

[McGoo]

I seem to find that if the chicks get upset, then they all go a little crazy, however, if I slowly pick them up one by one and give them individual attention it helps. Also, I try to consistently bring them out to a small pen in the yard so that they can learn to scratch. Eventually they have learned that I'm okay. some are really sweet and a few are aloof.

ps. I was told not to feed little chicks anything but their feed until they were about 3 months.

 

[Cetawin]

Just keep working on them slowly...offering them food from your hand and talking to them. Give them daily attention and affection regardless of their bawking.

Of my 6, they are all different. I have one who is the stalker. She stalks me to be with me. 3 others fly up to the top of the brooder and let them pick them up and love on them and the other two fuss about the whole thing...one I have to almost chase down to get her out of the brooder to clean it. BUT they all run to me for treats. It just takes time and them realizing you are okay.

 

[Iceblink]

My chicks went through phases, for a while they would be crazy scared little devils, then they would be snuggly for a week or so, and then they would be aloof again. They also didn't like treats for a long time. I bought chicken scratch and tried it, no go. After a couple weeks they did start to like cooked oatmeal, spagetti noodles, and rice. In very small amounts of course, and they only got it from my hand. I read on here that some chicks like chopped hard boiled egg or yogurt, my girls just stepped in it and pooped in it.

Now that they're big girls, they have mellowed out, love treats and like to be petted. They prefer running around and chasing bugs to sitting on my lap, but I tell myself I prefer a bug free yard to lap-chickens. Yeah........=-) Maybe just give them time.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
If the chicks were being raised by their mama and had a run to go into with her they'd be eating alot of different things way before 3 months.

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Of the five chicks I had, none were cuddly. But once they started laying (about 5 months old), they calmed right down and started hopping up on my knee when I'd sit in the run. Now they don't mind being petted, but they still don't appreciate being picked up.

Just be patient.

 

[mom wewantchicks!]

thanks for all the advice!! like ive said, ive never had chickens. i would be completely happy to sit and watch them all day as long as i knew if i NEEDED to (like someone was, god forbid, hurt or needed moved) i could pick them up. after reading all the replies saying be patient and some of your chicks are not cuddly i feel better. now i just need to find a treat they like!!