My Chickens are too skittish!

[Jo1705]

Ive had my chickens for about a year already. Despite that, most of my chickens are skittish against me. I have 2 BOs, one australorp, 2 DOMs, and two GLWs. However only my BOs and australorps approach me. So basically when i feed them they’re fine and come up to me. When I try to place them back in the coop or try to carry them they always run away from here. Sometimes, it involves me chasing a chicken around the whole backyard. What should I do? I already gave too many chances too them and I might as well cook them. Thanks for any help!

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

I hate to say this, but try treating them like a shy puppy. Try treats and just sitting with them. I keep telling my daughter not to chase ours, if she sits on a bucket with them they will approach and jump in her lap.

 

[WindingRoad]

Ive had my chickens for about a year already. Despite that, most of my chickens are skittish against me. I have 2 BOs, one australorp, 2 DOMs, and two GLWs. However only my BOs and australorps approach me. So basically when i feed them they’re fine and come up to me. When I try to place them back in the coop or try to carry them they always run away from here. Sometimes, it involves me chasing a chicken around the whole backyard. What should I do? I already gave too many chances too them and I might as well cook them. Thanks for any help!

My chickens herd better than cows. LOL. I leave the person door open and just say in a Loud irritating voice "Time to go in the COOOOOOOPPPPPP". I think they hate my voice then and go right into the coop. I flap my arms and keep them in a pack. I have 4 birds. I started this from the first time I let them out. I've started with the command no so I can fill their feed dish without them sticking their heads in there. I just started with a clear gruff NO and pushed them back. Now NO works alone.

 

[rosemarythyme]

What are you expectations for them - to just not run away? To come up to you? To sit on your lap? Many chickens don't like being picked up and some don't even want to be touched, so if that's what you're hoping for, no matter how much you work with them, some of them may never quite accept it.

How many minutes/hours do you spend with them daily? What do you do when you're out there with them?

For now I would quit chasing them. Herding is ok (where they're just walking away in a controlled manner), but if they're fleeing from you then by chasing them you're feeding into their fear.

 

[Stacyoung13]

I just yell “come on babies” and I’ll have about 25 silkies come running.

 

[SueT]

Some breeds, like BO's and Australorps are considered to be friendlier than others. Mine were too. I have read numerous reports here that Wyandottes are stand-offish. Mine was too. But none of my chickens of any breed have actually liked to be picked up. Chasing is a good way to lose their trust. When I want the chickens to go in, I cook up a plate loaded w scrambled eggs and call chook chook chook. They ALL come running as fast as they can, and go right in. That's the way to a chicken's heart!