My Brahmas are "B" words

[DHAllen0425]

Any suggestions on getting two-month-old Buff Colombiam Brahmas to be as sweet as my Orpingtons? Ive tried petting (since birth), treats, cornering, ignoring, everything! these girls scream "bloody murder' when I pick them up. I need them to be used to being handled. the closest Ive come is with treats. but it is still a chore to get them inside the run after free-ranging. HELP ME

 

[Jakk]

Some birds just don't adapt well, but if you keep handling them and showing them kindness, they usually come around. Brahmas are normally pretty docile. Mealworms work wonders with even my most stand offish birds, if they are live and wiggling in my fingers, the birds come running over to eyeball it closer and eventually snatch it right out of my hand. A bit of this and before long they will come running over to you everytime you enter their pen.

 

[DHAllen0425]

It's funny you should say that. I got some meal worms at a local pet store yesterday with the hopes of turning them around. when i come out in the morning they all crown against the door (both breeds) because they know there are treats before work. my Orps will jump on me, let me pet them..etc. My Brahmas will snatch the food out of my hand and run as far away as possible to eat it. its shallow, i know. but it kind of hurts your feelings...lol

 

[Teppler]

If you use a lot of dries meal worms I suggest you buy them on the internet
I have started buying them by the 5lb bag for $53.00 including shipping.
Just Google dried mealworms

 

[azygous]

How old are these Brahmas? This is important. If they're still very young, then the problem is in how you are picking them up.
Chicks are deathly afraid of being picked up from above. It awakens predator fears in their little brains. They react to hands being thrust at them from above their heads as if a hawk was swooping down to kill them. Thus the running away screeching.

If people would forego the typical brooder on the floor with a top access, and instead place a brooder up on a table and access the chicks from an opening built into the side of the box, the chicks will be guaranteed calm and tame and sweet from the very start.

If your Brahmas are older, the process of taming them is similar. Approach them slowly and calmly by getting down on their level and reaching for them very slowly from the side. All chickens react with fear when you swoop down on them from above their heads. After a period of time, the Brahmas will learn you are no threat, and will calm down and be true to their breed, being lovable and cuddly.

Yes, by all means, use treats to grease the skids.