My chickens being rude to me ????

[gottalovemychickens]

When i had my first 30 chickens they were all really nice and would always come up to me . But about 2 months ago a coyote and family along with a fox or a racoon got to 15 of them and killed em .

Now my question is , since that happened. Are they affraid of me because of that night ???

Every time i go to clean their coop they run and fly and just DO NOT want to get anywhere near me ??

Im getting 25 more this week and i hope if i treat them the same way i did my first 30 then the others might calm down

 

[rachiegirl]

Were they attacked in the coop? If so, it could be they are just freaked now when anything or anyone goes into the coop and has nothing to do with you personally. You could try(if you have time) to spend some time each day just sitting with them. You might talk to them or if that seems to bother them just sit quietly or read a book.
Start outside the coop and get as close as you can without them freaking out, and just sit there. Then after a few days move a bit closer...and closer...and closer. You get the idea. They'll let you know if you move too soon or too much. You're just trying to desensitize them to you being in there.
I hope this helps, just remember not to take it personally! Good Luck!!

 

[gottalovemychickens]

ya i understand what you mean !!!

And yes they were attacked in the coop and really there is only one that will let me hold it and what not . My mom and i think that the one that lets us hold it and pet it is one that was VERY VERY Friendly when it was growing up as a little baby chick !!!!

 

[Jajika]

I'm not surprised that your chickens are spooked. What a horrible and frighening night that must have been.

I'd be terrified too.

It is really important that your chickens not only are safe, but feel safe.

Obviously you must do everything you can to keep them safe from predators. Otherwise you will always have frightened chickens who won't lay for your either.

I'm sure once you secure their space and a little time has gone by with no other horrors, they will calm down.

 

[gottalovemychickens]

you talk about laying right !!

Well im only getting eggs right now as if only 1 is laying , and i think thats the one that comes up to me and let me hold it . Correct me if you think im wrong

 

[chookchick]

When I come into the coop, I talk to them--"hey girls, how's it going, you guys are poopy", so they know it's me coming in. You could try doing that as you walk to the coop and open the door. Hope they settle down!

 

[Metanoia]

Poor things. I'd talk to them often, try and pop down more than you would usually so they get more chances to see you coming. And try and encourage them to hand feed, or at least spend time coaxing them before spreading out any food. I'm sure they'll come around again.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Well no wonder they're terrified and freaked! They were attacked in the coop, that must have been awful and terrifying, I would be terrifyed too! They just don't want anything/anyone in their coop cause they don't know what it's gonna do to them, it's not you so don't take it personally, just try to spend some time with them daily to try to calm them down and get them used to your presence in the coop, try to spend like at least 15 min to an hour or so with them daily every day so they can get used to and accustomed to you. Start far away/outside the coop (find a comfortable distance for both where they don't freak out) and slowly and gradually move closer and closer until you are literally right next to the coop and eventually inside it and if they freak out just simply move back/farther away until they settle again and keep doing this every day for as long as it takes. they will eventually get the message, settle down, and tolerate maybe even love your presence. It will take a while but they will eventually learn you are A-Ok and settle. Maybe also try giving them treats and stuff so that way they they learn "hey this person ain't so bad, I get good things when they're here maybe this person isn't so bad after all, this is nice ok lady/dude I like you you give me good things" if you want to maybe help speed the process up a bit. good luck. I hope you're chickies learn to settle/calm down. good luck.