My chickens hate me 😩

[Kdlevesque]

I have to get down on their level before they let me pet them. Then I will pick them up and make sure I have treats the whole time. My buff Orpington‘s are very cuddly and don’t mind being held at all but our 12 week old Easter Eggers are a little bit more standoffish. Just be patient.

 

[Flockincrazy]

Hello, I’m new and oh so green to raising chicks. I actually posted a question yesterday and don’t know how to find if anyone answered. So how do I find that?
I have 8 chickens that are 7 weeks today. They are in a coop and run most of the day now. I do free range them several hours at a time. They seem to really like me. They come running as fast as they can when they see me but they won’t let me hold or touch them. What’s up with that? I spend hours everyday handing out and talking to them but they scream and carry on like I’m going to hurt them. What can I do???
And back to my original problem how will I know if anyone answers me?

The bell at the top of the screen will have a number on it to show if anyone answered you or answered anything you posted on
Some of mine did that before just keep picking them up you are not hurting them its just natural instinct they have with predators just keep picking them up pet them and hold them do it everyday several times a day eventually they will stop freaking out and start walking up to you for you to pick them up and love on them just don’t expect it to happen over night my avatar pic is of my daughter and her crazy loving chicken that thought she was a dog/cat mix she would never sleep in the coop she free ranged up and down my street I live on a cul-de-sac street and visit my neighbors and lay eggs for whoever she thought needed them we would stand on our front porch and yell for her like you would for a dog to come inside she would come running then if she wanted you to pick her up she would sit down in front of you and do this little bawkbawk thing and wait for you to pick her up then shove her head under your hand so you would pet her and while you were petting her she made this weird noise it was a chicken version of a cat purring and all that was from my daughter and I holding her all the time she was 9yrs old when she passed last winter

 

[Starburst]

Hi, and welcome to BYC! So excited you joined!
Make yourself at home in this amazing community!
I don't have much advice to offer other than what has already been given. Good luck!

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. Here are some helpful links:

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Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[drumstick diva]

So glad you joined us at BYC, you are very welcome here

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us

It doesn't look like you actually posted your question where ever you tried. Best suggestion would be to try and post again. According to your stats, this is your first and only post.

 

[Jmml219]

Thanks to you all for the warm welcome! I will keep lovin on those little cuties and hopefully at least one will come around. I free range them on an acre and I think some of the problem might be that they can get away from me very easily. They come running to me as fast as they can then when the treats are gone so are they. I have no place to confine them for snuggles. The run and coop are just way to small.

 

[Jmml219]

Hmmm, thats strange.

Maybe you're doing something wrong? Have you tried getting on your knees around the birds and clucking, scratching and pecking around imitating what the chickens do?

That usually works and puts them at ease. They should be cuddling up to you in no time!

Kindly keep us posted on your results!

Just kidding with you. Its normal, don't worry about it and continue to treat them kindly, give them veggie and worm treats and make sure they are safe, well fed, well watered and loved.

Good luck!

Just to clarify you are joking about pecking and bawking like a chick, right?

 

[Eggscaping]

Just to clarify you are joking about pecking and bawking like a chick, right?

Maybe ...and maybe not. You've heard the term "crazy chicken lady"? But seriously, that's how we taught our newly-hatched what/where the food and water was...made our hands like chicken heads (fingers gathered together were the 'beak'...and "pecked" at the food and water. Works like a charm!

 

[reddogmaster2]

Just to clarify you are joking about pecking and bawking like a chick, right?

Excellent question @Jmml219

I never joke about people being symbiotico with their chickens.

Would I do it?

HA! HELL NO! That would be pretty dang silly now wouldn't it?

But keep the excellent questions coming, I like to help whereever I can!