Ditto on the smarter than average!
Because they are so smart, you can easily befriend them by "teaching them" with treats. A favorite treat of my flock is canned whole kernel corn. At .49 a can at ALDI, it makes an inexpensive way to "teach them" when I want them to come. I open a can and put what I want to use in a yogurt cup and the rest in a sealed container in the fridge. When they are in the brooder (or with their momma), I will take some of the kernels and squeeze the "skin" off, saving the "heart" (I give the skins to the older chicks and flock). I give the small pieces to them. It is like candy and they love it. Some are shy, but all will eventually eat from my hand when they realize what it is. I can get my flock into their pen or moved to a certain area by going out with an open can....they all come running. My Icelandic chicks that I brooded are much more "tame" than the broody raised chicks, but I prefer that they are hen raised whenever possible. My "tamer" hens also raise "tamer" chicks. I believe they convey that I am not a threat and the chicks pick-up on that.....even the chicks that are not Icelandic that are raised by my friendlier Icelandic hens. I make a point to watch to see when a broody is somewhere away from the main flock and "sneak" a special treat to her and her brood. The chicks, after weaning, hang together and I will do the same thing. They look forward to seeing me and seem to know if they hang-out in a particular area, I will "show-up" with some goodies.
Okay, off to get some stuff done!
Seinna, The Other Mary
Because they are so smart, you can easily befriend them by "teaching them" with treats. A favorite treat of my flock is canned whole kernel corn. At .49 a can at ALDI, it makes an inexpensive way to "teach them" when I want them to come. I open a can and put what I want to use in a yogurt cup and the rest in a sealed container in the fridge. When they are in the brooder (or with their momma), I will take some of the kernels and squeeze the "skin" off, saving the "heart" (I give the skins to the older chicks and flock). I give the small pieces to them. It is like candy and they love it. Some are shy, but all will eventually eat from my hand when they realize what it is. I can get my flock into their pen or moved to a certain area by going out with an open can....they all come running. My Icelandic chicks that I brooded are much more "tame" than the broody raised chicks, but I prefer that they are hen raised whenever possible. My "tamer" hens also raise "tamer" chicks. I believe they convey that I am not a threat and the chicks pick-up on that.....even the chicks that are not Icelandic that are raised by my friendlier Icelandic hens. I make a point to watch to see when a broody is somewhere away from the main flock and "sneak" a special treat to her and her brood. The chicks, after weaning, hang together and I will do the same thing. They look forward to seeing me and seem to know if they hang-out in a particular area, I will "show-up" with some goodies.
Okay, off to get some stuff done!
Seinna, The Other Mary
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