Leghorn chick help

[toolbox50]

I am new to the whole chicken thing. Last May we decided to get 4 chicks from the local feed store, 4 RIRs. One ended up being a rooster, which got real annoying after a while. He was loud and just down right mean. The kids wouldn't even go in the yard when he was out! We decided to have him for dinner! Then 3 months ago, I forgot I left them out in the yard and I let the dogs out. Another dead! So we were down to two chickens. Last week, I found out the feed store had leghorns for sale. We decided to get 4 of them instead of waiting for "chick month" at the store. I am pregnant and due at the end of May, so I didn't want the hassle of having a baby and getting baby chicks in the same month. That would be way too much work for me!

Anyway, I am using a 30 gallon rubbermaid tub for the brooder at the moment and they are already flying out of it! They are a week old! We had to put chicken wire over it to keep them in. The RIRs did not do this! I read that they were flighty, but I didn't think they would be at a week old. Will they always be like this? They seem pretty afraid of us, too. I handle them everyday. Will this make them a little less shy? Are these leghorns going to end up being a hassle for me? I want to be able to let them out of the coop during the day for a little, but how in the world am I going to be able to round them up if they are so scared of us? Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[sumi]

I have no experience with Leghorns, unfortunately. Though I'm sure there are members here who can help you a bit there. The only advice I can give you is to use food and attention. Give them positive attention and use food. It may seem silly, but talking to your chicks helps a lot. As for rounding them up, I can toss a small stone into the run at any given time and my silly chickens will all run in after it. It works every time, though it is nicer if you toss a treat of course!
When they are bigger and their flying becomes a problem you can trim their wing feathers. It'll grow back eventually and it won't harm them, it'll just slow them down.
Good luck!

 

[ceeceeholt]

I have 6 Leghorns and just love them. They are not flighty, but they are LOUD!!! They talk all the time, egg laying machines and very friendly! I'm glad we got them.

 

[myhubbycallsmechickeemama]

I think when people say the are flighty, they are referring to their personality not actual flying. I know the people that I have talked to about them say they are mean and noisy but never had anyone complain about them flying. Always ways to prevent that but I'm not sure on the personality issue, they seem to be very unfriendly to people. :/

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

I have 2 2.5 week old leghorn chicks. I was a little hesitant to give them a try, after reading so many horror stories about them, but I'm glad I did! They're friendly little things but they're always flying all over the brooder. Or out of the brooder and onto me when I open the door I've always needed a top of some sorts on whatever I'm using as a brooder. Eventually curiosity gets the better of them, and they've just got to see what's on the other side of that wall. I came home one day to chicks loose in the house, poop EVERYWHERE...........never again. Good luck!