Is it my fault my chickens aren't more friendly?

[Dracoonfly]

I have eight 16-week-old pullets and 1 cockeral, 4 are EE's and 5 are Hamburg's. They will approach me to see if I have food and occasionally try to follow if I've just fed them a treat. Other than that, they are very nervous around people. The only way I can hold one is by catching it in the coop. They refuse to eat treats out of my hand. I held them a lot in their brooder but admittedly haven't touched them as often once they moved outside several weeks ago.

Should I try to handle them more or won't it make a difference at this point? I had hoped that the EE's at least would be friendlier.

Thanks,
Sharon

 

[sandy sea]

I have a cochin hen that just drives me crazy. Wants to be held all the time! Always talking and never shuts up. She is cute, but sometimes I just want she to leave me alone. Do you really what that! Try sitting on the ground and than offering the treats.

 

[Katy]

Some breeds are just friendlier than others even if they've all been raised the same way. One thing you might try is to take a lawn chair into the run and just sit for a spell with some treats you toss out once in a while. I enjoy doing that and mine are all friendly birds anyway.

 

[Happy Chooks]

At that age mine were skittish too. Some would not eat out of my hands. Once they got closer to laying age they seemed to get more friendly. Now all of them will eat out of my hands. I started with strawberries. The only chickens that got them from me had to take them out of my hands. Of course some of the scaredy chickens would steal them from the ones that took them from me. But once they got the taste of them, they were all running back and grabbing them out of my hand.

Grab a chair and sit with a handful of hen scratch. I guarantee they will eat THAT out of your hand. Just make sure your hand is flat (think feeding a horse) otherwise their desire for the scratch makes them not so careful with your hands. Beak pinching hurts!

 

[aussieheelr]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one. Mine are all 11-15 weeks and the only friendly one is my cochin. The rest could care less about me unless I have raisins, I feel so used. My two BR roos will follow me anywhere but don't like to be touched but that's the best that it gets.

I hope they get better but at least I have my Buffy!

 

[mountainchick5]

Some of mine are more skiddish than others. I put 2 lawn chairs near the coop and about the same time every night I feed them treats. (try different things until you find what they like) Now when I come out on the deck and say "treats" they all come running. 3 jump into my lap when I sit down. However I CANNOT eat my lunch out there anymore without getting mobbed.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
It gets A LOT easier to touch them when they start squatting. The slightest movement and they will squat. Now when they come to greet me, they all get pets. (They look disappointed if they don't all get them)

 

[BarnYardHooligan]

Quote:
Yes, I agree! I have found that chickens are a very social bird. They love attention and company. I visit with my chickens often, not just at feedings and I also find them mesmerizing. Most all of my friends and family that come to visit us also visit the chickens as well. We have chairs sitting around their yard just for visiting. After all, they are a part of the family too! On the other hand, Big Ed, our rooster, is not always so nice. I feel he is over protecting or maybe jealous or both, who knows.

 

[HippieChickens]

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