I'm disappointed with my chickens

[sheeshshe]

I used to be thrilled with them. They loved me, I would pick them up and hold them numerous times/day. Now they won't come to me. They won't let me catch them either. I can't hold them anymore. I am very sad and upset by this. These are my pets and they no longer let me "play" with them. They are 9 weeks old. Do you think it has anything to do with them free ranging? will they calm down once the run is finished and they are more contained?

I'm really not impressed because I've taken all the time to raise them with love and lots of handling and now they won't let me mess with them.

 

[RIVERA69R]

We call ours to us and bring a piece of bread and break it up for them they love it and when they see us they come running they also get a piece of cold watermelon after i get off work for the hot florida summer do you give yours treats?

 

[19hhbelgian]

I have noticed that my chicks sometimes go through "phases". I just keep doing everything I would normally do. But as posted above, treats work wonders! I don't even have to call my chickies any more - they come running like a bunch of maniacs when they hear the house door go shut! As if they aren't fed... I picked up one of my black australorps today, and she weighed a "ton"! Just keep being with them, and giving them treats... They know who feeds them.

 

[Dar]

chickens are like men...

they say the way to a mans heart is through his stomach...well it works the same way with chickens

 

[gway2008]

LMAO....

 

[kagedgoddess]

mine never came to me either, they didnt like any treat i tried ever. then one day my dd didnt eat all her baby cereal mixed with applesauce, so i thought i d try it with the chickens. they were very curious about the bright bowl but still stayed out of reach. So i squatted down with them, got a few little sticks and put the baby food on that reaching out towards them REAL slow they got mad and pecked the stick, and were like *hey that was Awesome!* and started surrounding me and attacking the bowl. now they know i bring yummy things and follow me around the yard, (on their side of the fence). they also like moving targets, try tossing in some cherries, eventually they ll get the idea. mine were.... you know i dont rememeber how old, but theyre 9-10wks now... ithink

 

[thechickenchick]

Quote:

She is right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[AmyBella]

I'm in the same boat. If I need a little chicken love, I bust out the meal worms. They see that blue can and come running and jump into my lap! I guess I will have to settle for conditional love. They just don't like to be handled and petted now that they are big girls out in thier tractor.

What kind are they? I have heard that some breeds are more friendly, but I don't have a lot of experience as to which ones.

 

[ChooksChick]

Also, if free-ranging, they will avoid you unless you just go sit and hang out without trying to touch them until they get used to the idea of hanging out with you again.

When they hit point-of-lay they will once again be friendly. It's definitely a phase, but spending time with them increases their friendliness.

 

[Alexand875]

We have had 14 chickens in 4 different batches over the last year. They all went through a flighty, stand-offish adolescent phase. Just be patient--they will come through it. It also helps to bribe them to be nice to you with treats of human food.