It might be a silly question but I have to ask...

[EChicky]

Hi. I'm going on Vacation for 6 days and am leaving 2 buff Orpington chicks (3weeks old) home with a pet sitter. I am trying to lap train these chicks since they are going to be family pets and it is going well so far. They come running when I go near the brooder and they love to be cuddled and held on shoulders. I am concerned that they will forget about me when I leave or even the progress I made will go backwards. I know this might be a silly question, but I just wanted to know what you guys think. Thanks for humoring me.

 

[Bananabread]

Can the pet sitter continue to do this while you're gone? Also---just curious, were these sexed or unsexed?

 

[EChicky]

Sexed but one might be a rooster . We hope not though.
Yes. The pet sitter will hold them as well

 

[i_only_listen_to_dgd]

I've found that my hens that are okay with being held or sitting on someone are typically ok with it being anybody. If they are cool with humans then they are cool with humans, not only me, even though I'm the one who trained them / made them comfortable with people. It should be fine as long as the pet sitter keeps it up. Although, many of my chicks that liked to be held and climb all on my arms and shoulders have grown up to really not like it anymore, so sometimes you just can't force it.

 

[Bananabread]

6 days gone probably won't undo any progress you've made, at least not any more than nature might do regardless as they get older. Hopefully no roo's...fingers crossed

 

[Rose the Legbar]

When you come back they may be a little skittish around you for a day but then by the next day they will be fine. I left my 4 girls on a week long roadtrip and when I came back they were spooked of me but they then remembered who I was and jumped into my lap again.

 

[getaclue]

In my experience, as the chicks grow and develop, they go through phases of skittish and non-skittish. When you get back, just resume your lap training.

 

[LTAY1946]

I have two major flocks of laying hens that are far less skittish now as they are fast nearing the year old phase of life. Some get on me when I'd rather they stood back and let me work instead of trying to help.

 

[EChicky]

Thank you guys so much! Hearing these experiences makes me much more comfortable leaving them!