makeing chicks freindly

[mtsignalfarm]

:/ok! I need advice,I have a long plastic storage box,the kind u store clothes in,I have 9 chicks in there,all feed & water they want ,I noticed one chick has been pecked at the shoulder but i have not seen it continue so my initial thought is space,is it sufficient?2 chicks are 2weeks and the others 1 week...also I am trying to get them freindly one of the older ones seems to be coming around,the others think I'm godzilla!

I slowly reach in ,talking softly,pick one up and pet the chick,slowly let them out of my hand,am I doing something wrong here?hopeing for pullets!! thanks everyone!

 

[horsejody]

The younger ones may get picked on by the older ones. I would keep them separate until they are all the same size. BTW

 

[b.hromada]

and

from S. Florida.

 

[Missouri Maiden]

I bribe mine with food to sit on my hand. And

from MO!

 

[Judy]

My guess is the pecking indicated they are feeling crowded and need more room, or they are getting bored and need time outdoors to peck and scratch the dirt, or both.

 

[nwgirl]

I agree that they may be over crowded. There should be about half a square foot of space per chick from 1 day to 4 weeks of age. It may help to separate the younger ones from the older ones.

I hand fed my chicks and held them, talked to them softly. I just stuck with it and they got more friendly as the weeks went by.

 

[Backyard Hencam]

Keep a close eye on the one getting pecked. Once they draw blood, it is hard to stop them.

My chick took weeks to become friendly and at 8 weeks some still sceam when I touch them. I think that they are just being normal teenagers. A few will come sit on my knee now so I think they will become tamer as time goes on. I let them come to me now rather than try to catch them.

Good luck and

 

[eaganchickens]

from MN!