Michigan

[wanaBfarmer]

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If these are the silkies in your signature, I've noticed the 2 that I have are total alarmists. They've been in with my isa pullets for a week and still run around screaming like someone is trying to kill them. I just got them at chickenstock and haven't spent a lot of time with them. Oddly enough, the only time they aren't hiding is when I'm in the run. They really like scratch (cracked corn, boss, safflower seeds,& millet). Mealworms are a great way to get chicks to like you. It worked well with some seramas that I had that were really scared. Just remember that chickens are prey animals. It's normal for them to be scared of anything this much bigger than them. I raised my isa pullets from day-olds and they like me just fine but none of them are lap chickens. My ducklings are more cuddly than the chicks ever were and they don't like being caught either.

LOL yeah my girls all freak out like I am about to murder them. I saw some meal worms at TSC, so maybe I will pick some up and try those. My husband threw a big black ant into their box the other night, then was like " I feel kinda bad now, that ant didn't stand a chance"

 

[dianaross77]

I gave my seramas superworms. They are huge and disgusting with legs but watching those 2 chicks fight over a giant worm was really amusing! I'm sick, what can I say.

 

[wanaBfarmer]

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I am not sure I could even touch somthing called a superworm lol

 

[babigyrl22]

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If these are the silkies in your signature, I've noticed the 2 that I have are total alarmists. They've been in with my isa pullets for a week and still run around screaming like someone is trying to kill them. I just got them at chickenstock and haven't spent a lot of time with them. Oddly enough, the only time they aren't hiding is when I'm in the run. They really like scratch (cracked corn, boss, safflower seeds,& millet). Mealworms are a great way to get chicks to like you. It worked well with some seramas that I had that were really scared. Just remember that chickens are prey animals. It's normal for them to be scared of anything this much bigger than them. I raised my isa pullets from day-olds and they like me just fine but none of them are lap chickens. My ducklings are more cuddly than the chicks ever were and they don't like being caught either.

LOL yeah my girls all freak out like I am about to murder them. I saw some meal worms at TSC, so maybe I will pick some up and try those. My husband threw a big black ant into their box the other night, then was like " I feel kinda bad now, that ant didn't stand a chance"

My chickens run around at first but their little scary butts know i have something yummy in my hands. So after they stop running around like crazy chickens they usually all start huddling around me to see what I have. The dried meal worms are irresistable to them. Whats fun though is I gather a bouquet of greens and huddle in the corner of the run and they all come over to grab what they can. There is always one that makes a go for my wedding ring....little buggers

 

[tsparrow]

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Toothpaste work on a lot of thing, bug bites, bee stings, and poison ivy. It works by drawing out the poison. It stops the burning and itching.

 

[hillbillycitygirl]

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I had a bunch of skiddish chicks in the beginning too, now we have one that tries to get up and perch on my shoulder, she thinks shes a parrot, we use bugs too but mostly treats like fresh veggies (all cut up super little) and black oil sunflower seeds. I used the sunflower seeds to train them all to come in at night too. I would call them and pass out seeds to the girls who came in...eventually they all caught on and come running into the coop every night cackling away, waiting for a handful of seeds. Its great because we have about 50 chickens...and I dont want them staying out at night, we have too many predators...I have one broody right now and last night she flew off that nest so fast when she saw me...I havent seen her get up in 3 days...I set food and water in her nesting box for her but she hardly touches the food...I guess the thrill of seeds was too much for her to handle and boy did she move quick, I gave her a few extra and she was back on her nest withing about 5 min, all fluffed out and happy looking (as opposed to her typical pissy pants face)

Just keep at it...pet them and hold them often, eventually they will learn that you are their momma, I would also put the food in my hand and teach them that you are their provider and not someone to be feared. Good luck

 

[chikkaboomboom]

My chicks acted like I was going to kill them for a while, now when I go in the run I cannot hardly walk because they climb all over me, evry time I bend over to do something they fly up on my back yoowwwoochhh. Time they will come around. My girls are teasing me atm, they are sitting in the nest boxes every morning but no eggs

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One was in the nest box most of the day yesterday I kept running out to stare at her, she finally got off and gave me the stink eye. Like fine Ill just keep this egg if you keep LOOKING at me. lol.
At least my veggie garden is kicking butt, tomatoes the size of a small child head, green peppers big enough to land a plane on, chili peppers, jalapenos, my zucchini plants are huge this year I am a little afraid of how many zucchini I am going to have...lol...
Y'all have a great day

 

[snowflake]

Thanks for the tip on the toothpaste. I had read about it but didn't know the jell is the wrong kind. we are going camping soon and I plan to bring some with me just for bites. I also read something about removing ticks. I think it was petroleum jelly, I know I just read it in a magazine last month but can't remember which one. Any one know?

 

[ChicwannaB]

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you can get bulk cracked corn at any Meijer, mine sells it for .25 a pound Sprinkle a little and they see that, pretty soon they'll eat out of your hand when they know where it comes from. Mine are all little piggies, they come a running when I open the gate. Il ove it. Love they way they run.
Might depend on the breed too, my Rhode Island Reds are way more stand-offish than my Barred rocks, I got em both at the same time.
Im trying to coax them up onto my lap with the treats but so far no luck.
They also love stale hotdog and/or hamburg buns. I get them at day old stores and leave em on the counter to dry out. Cherios are good too. Hope that helps.

 

[ChicwannaB]

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if you only get one, and have a penny in your pocket, hold it on the sting for a few minutes, Ive done it,