i think my chicks hate me!!!

[BradyMSU]

I have TSC chicks as well, about 5 weeks old, like yours. Like you said, I have a a half dozen that will come near me and peck my feet when I'm being still. Yet, they'll freak out if I try to pick them up from any angle. I've noticed a big difference in the breeds. My Barred Rocks seem the most calm, my New Hampshire Reds the most aggressive, and my Cochins the easiest startled. But I can get all of them to eat out of my hand when I offer them mealworms from the pet store. No other treat, including earthworms, seems to be as irrestible to them as mealworms. I strongly suggest mealworms for conditioning your chicks to you.

TSC is Tractor Supply Company. It's a chain of farm, feed and hardware stores in 40 states in the U.S. Quality of service seems to vary greatly among the different stores. One store can have very friendly and knowledgeable staff. The store 30 miles away can be terrible. http://www.tractorsupply.com/

 

[mom wewantchicks!]

just a little update!!! i tried a little cat food and have been trying to spend a little more time just talking and sitting down to there level,well it seems to be working!! actually i think they may have never really hated me, just thought i was to scary!! they really seem to be coming around and 1 of the chicks seems to think im cool lol!!

 

[Buff Hooligans]

They love cat food, but cat food doesn't love them. Feed cat food in small quantities, only during extremely cold weather (when they are grown), and if they are undergoing a difficult moult. There's all kinds of things in cat food that can build up in chick's bodies and become toxic.

Here's a link to a chart listing all kinds of good treats:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-Treats_Chart

 

[WillsMama93]

mom,wewantchicks! :

just a little update!!! i tried a little cat food and have been trying to spend a little more time just talking and sitting down to there level,well it seems to be working!! actually i think they may have never really hated me, just thought i was to scary!! they really seem to be coming around and 1 of the chicks seems to think im cool lol!!

Congrats!! I think I am going to have to go get some meal worms this week.. it's been a little while since my girls (and boy) have had treats​

 

[poofhair]

Ok i am completly new to this, just got them yesterday but they are about 2-3 weeks old. Whats the best treats for them. I know meal worms but is there any thing else? Mine also do freak out when i get near them so whats the best way to teach them to hang with me...holding food in my hand? I try that but they dont even come to me. Also is there suppose to be feeding times or just always keep food in with them? And i was looking at some pictures of bantam chickens(thats what i have btw) and didnt know if the male have hair on there feet and females dont? Im so anxious to find out because if it is a rooster i cant keep him and would feel guilty returning him. The other chicken is its buddy so its hard to separate them.

Its gonna take alot of patients.

Here are some pics i just took. Look like a rooster or chicken?

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd52/CosmoCougarRocks/DSC04262.jpg

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd52/CosmoCougarRocks/DSC04264.jpg