is there any way i can make sure my chicks get tame...

[redhen]

i hold them a little(not to much..i dont want to stress them)..i put feed inmy hand and put it in the cage..they all come over to me and peck out of my hand(some a little to roughly!)..and my reds(not sure now if they are RIR's or not), jump on my hand and check me out.even try to fly up to me..(i love them!), but a few are really skittish..are there any methods to tame them a bit more?...Thanks, Wendy

 

[Marlinchaser]

The more you handle them the less fllighty they should be, I have leghorns that will come right up to me, and they are spose to be flighty in general, but they were held, and hand fed from day one.

 

[ams3651]

my americanas seem more skittish than my rirand maybe a little more agressive, anyone agree? I have one rir that I think is a roo that comes right over when I walk up to them. Someone mentioned that they like rubbed under their beaks and it seems to help.

 

[mmajw]

The more that you handle them the more use to you they will be. I open the door to the coop or the brooder and they all come running to see what treats I have to to climb up my arms and cuddle.

 

[redhen]

what are good treats for them?...and when can i start giving them treats?..they are abouta week old now... thanks, Wendy

 

[mmajw]

I would wait until at least 8 weeks, we give ours grapes, yogurt, watermelon, bread pieces, cracked corn, corn on the cob, lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes.
You can start giving grit for their crops as well and when they are a little older oyster shells for protein

 

[crooked stripe]

Mine will follow me anywhere for a handful of oat meal. I gave them corn on the cob and it layed in the run for a few days till they got up enough nerve to peck at it. I have tried many of the things mentioned above but the oat meal makes the biggest hit. John

 

[redhen]

hi..thanks for answering my question....so at eight weeks i can start with treats...and for the oatmeal...is it the old fashioned uncooked stuff..dry?..just give them the oats...or should it be cooked hot oatmeal?...silly question, i know..but i just want to make sure..so i dont feed them anything that can impact the crop..Thanks!..Wendy(dummy with alot of questions!)..;o)

 

[ronshoney]

I have fed mine peas and little pieces of bread they have a cup of sand from by our pond that they use. I have also fed them some of the ducks concoction of hot multigrain cereal and mashed banana on cold damp days. I only give them a taste though compared to what the ducks eat! They are pigs!

 

[crooked stripe]

I just buy the old fashioned kind and give it just as it comes from the box. They do free range and have access to grit plus I through some on the run floor from time to time just in case. I have never had a problem. I never give more than a cup for 8 birds. There feed consumption has dropped to just about 1/2 since they free range. They chase the lawn mower around for fresh cut grass clippings and the bugs I chase up. They are 15 weeks this week. John