my 3 week olds HATE me, what can i do?

[cracked_egg]

Let me start with the fact that I HAD a fav chicken... She was the best, about 8 weeks old and SO sweet, she ran to me every time she saw me, stayed with me outside, I took her on walks.... My dog got her and I was hoping one of the "new ones" would bond with me that much, but they have so many play mates that they ignore me... What can I do? I sit with them, I offer them treats and they still hate me....

I've read about makig the younger ones like me, but the more I try to catch these guys the more they hate me...

 

[math ace]

How many 3 week olds do you have ?

What breed are they ?

 

[oldchickenlady]

I have 12 chickens, 6 RIR and 6 Buff O's. None of them liked me at all when they were in the brooder. When I moved them outside into their run I would sit in there with them and hold treats in my hand. They became used to me and learned I was the giver of good stuff to eat! They free range all day now, but when I come outside they will come running to see what I have! Even late in the evening when they have gone into their run to roost, when I come out to shut the gate they will run out the door and meet me to see what I have brought for their bedtime snack!

I usually bring them a little scratch, or veggie/fruit scraps, or cottage cheese. Do don't give up, they will learn eventually that you aren't going to kill them.

 

[azygous]

Yes, what breeds are they? Some are more people friendly than others. Brahmas and Cochins, for example, are very tame compared to Wyandottes and Ameraucanas.

At what angle are you approaching them to pick them up? That makes a huge difference in them being afraid or trusting.

Chickens have an instinctual fear of anything approaching them from up above. When you get down on their level and approach them with your hands parallel to the ground, instead of diving in from above them, they will gain more trust of you.

I'm raising my third batch of chicks right now, and this time around, I set up their brooder box on a table and cut the door opening into the side. From the very start, they were calm and trusting since they associated my big hands with the whole of the human, instead of reacting as if a scary predator was attacking from the sky, as in the case of a brooder box on the floor with the opening at the top.

Even adult chickens react much more trusting when you approach them from their level.

Also, you might try "lap training". I gather one or two chicks every evening and bring them into the other room to sit and cuddle on my lap for fifteen or twenty minutes. Some even fall asleep, and all seem to enjoy it. Mine are five weeks old now.

So give those two tips a try and see if it makes a difference. I'm betting you'll see immediate results!

 

[cerridwenn]

keep trying and be patient. mine went out to the coop at 6 wks and still hated to be picked up or handled, but once they were out there and we would come in and sit, especially bearing treats, it only took a few days to tame them. acting wild is an innate defense mechanism, it's the only way chicks have to defend themselves. it's just like kids, you have to be more stubborn than they are, and it's hard and frustrating but you can't give up.

 

[Hollywood Chickens]

RIRs and BOs are not the friendliest breeds in my experience, if you want a pet then you need an Australorp, Jersey giant, or other friendly breeds, I have heard that Cochins are very friendly.

 

[Vanessabuffsnsilkies]

They'll start loving you when they a few months old and discover how wonderful grapes and watermelon is... Now my 13wk olds come running when they see me.

 

[jettgirl24]

I was worried that mine wouldn't be friendly either because as babies and youngsters they didn't really seem to want to be held. They are 21 weeks now though and they're are my sweet little babies! I have a BO and 2 BR's. All three come running to the fence whenever I come outside and when I let them free range they jump on my lap. One of my BRs lets me carry her around on her back like a baby. It's super cute!

Just keep handling them and I'm sure they'll come around!

 

[chickp]

Thanks, this is making me feel better too. Despite nearly daily handling mine do not like to be held; they are four weeks old tomorrow. But they sure do like to see that yogurt coming (I just give them a bit with some grit in it!) so hopefully they'll learn to love us when they go in the coop in a week or so!