My 8 week olds are terrified of me!

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I wanted to let you know that I started saying "Here chick chick chick" when I brought them grass (they pecked the stuff in their run down) and soon they would all run to me trying to be the first to get to me. For some reason the Roos, Seamus and Sebastian, are still a little cautious and hide under the coop clucking at the ladies while they gratefully accept grass from my hand. They've also jumped into the bucket I bring the grass in! How can I get the boys more comfortable around me?

I think in the long run you are better off with your young roosters respectively keeping their distance. Friendly roosters often end up attacking their keepers. My roosters get a bit more friendly as they reach maturity at about 2 years, before that it's best they don't get mixed signals and become too confident and forward with me.

 

[dawnd13]

I don't have a roo, but I also got my new chicks at about 2 days old. There were all friendly and would climb all over me and one of my dogs. I kept them in the house and they loved to get out of the brooder so were all very friendly. The day I moved them out to their coop, they wanted nothing to do with me. That was about 2 weeks ago now and they are about 7 weeks and 8 weeks old now. Over the last few days, they have been running to the edge of the pen when I go out after work or in the mornings. Today, I took an apple with me and broke off pieces for them. They love apple and I ended up with most of them coming over to me and even jumping up beside me on the bench. IMO, it just is an adjustment to their new surroundings and they have their periods of stress when they want nothing to do with me and now they are more comfortable. Besides, they know who feeds them and has the treats. Mine also love to get meal worms and I am working to train the new girls to come when I shake the can. The older ones already know that is the call to come home and come running when they here the worms.

 

[alexa009]

We know people who have a couple roosters, A buff orpington and barred rock and they love to be held. They are a year old and have never attacked at all.

 

[RAsChickens]

Update! We re-homed the roos (2 Barred Rocks, 2 Buffs) yesterday to a good home. The 5 girls (4 Buffs, 1 Barred Rock) really trust me. The ground of the run is packed solid, so today I'm going to go rake it so it's more loosely packed so they can dust bathe. When I went to Tractor Supply yesterday, I got feed, pine chips, and a bag of scratch! After we got home, I went to the coop and sprinkled some scratch on the ground. They went insane over it!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That makes for a calmer flock without the boys. You should look into a deep litter system in your run. We put grass clipping, weeds pulled from the garden and fallen leaves in ours and it combined with the poop composts to a fluffy well draining area, though it takes some time to get there. If you add lawn clipping only a thin layer at a time, you want it to dry out, not mold.

 

[alexa009]

Aww! Can you take a pic of your girls, RAsChickens?

 

[PirateGirl]

I always talk to my chickens before I open the coop in the morning, because of the window placement, they can certainly hear me coming, but can't necessarily see that it's me. I figure it might scare them to hear noise and commotion and hear the coop door opening if they don't know what's on the other side. Then when I give them food and water I just stay there, very still, close to it. The bravest one will come over right away, once one chicken trusts you the others will start to trust you more. The more timid ones will come over eventually. I just let them do their thing. Also when they are in their fenced yard I sit on the other side of the fence, calmly and watch them. They get used to me there, but I found it also had this other effect that my dog is getting used to hanging out by the chickens without getting all worked up. We sit there and calmly all stare at each other. It's a little odd, but honestly working. The dog doesn't try and eat the chickens or spook them anymore. The chickens don't run from me as much or run from the dogs. It's a win win. Now the bravest tries to see what I have in my hands and will let me touch her and often pick her up without a fuss. You will make progress. It can be slow, but I think if you can gain the trust of one you will gain the trust of all. My smallest is rightfully the most skittish, but she will follow the biggest bravest pullet anywhere and try and do whatever the brave one does. It's pretty cute sometimes. Good luck.

 

[PirateGirl]

Here is mine that will usually sit on your lap.

Haha... every time I try and take a pic of my bravest pullet this is exactly what I get, no fear and right in my face.

 

[RAsChickens]

The buffs, Tiffany, Joy, Anna, and Elsa!

My Barred Rock, Gidget, and Joy!

 

[RonC]

All of mine with the exception of my Americana were friendly when they were small. One of the Wyandottes was real friendly and still is. As they progressed into adolescence they got a little skittish. Once they got to young adult they settled back down. Finally after over a year even the Americana has settled down. They all have different personalities. Get something to sit on in and feed them treats. Toss a few at your feet and work into taking them from your hand. Let them sit on your lap if they want, mine never pooped on me. We took daily "field trips" from the brooder to the run for bonding time. Get one to be your friend and they will follow. The end of the video she was trying to get on my shoulder.
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