My chickens hate me!

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potato chip said:
They don't hate you, it is biology at work. It is natural for small birds to be fearful of bigger things who might be going to eat them. You need to train them that you are not something of which they need to be scared. As funkychickenmom says, if you sit down and don't move, they have nothing to flee from. Make yourself attractive with treats and they'll come to you. I'd suggest never chasing them to pick them up, always get them to come over to you.

My main suggestion is that they will become less skittish with age. When I first got 2 of mine, they'd freak out like crazy every time I came near. They are now fully grown and they aren't nearly as fearful.

My other suggestion is to relax. If you tense up because you anticipate "rejection" animals will pick up on that tension and run away because they can sense it. Try to feel all relaxed and happy, happy, happy. It's a bit like having a frowny hunched person walk towards you. Your instinct goes, 'uh-oh, this won't be good' without a word spoken.
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Thank you for the advice. I definitely anticipate a long drawn out chase for sure so that could be a problem. And no I'm not terribly patient with them anymore bc if I need to get a pic or check them out I don't have the time to sit for an hr to wait for them to decide they want to come within a foot of me just to run away again as soon as I move. BUT I'm really hoping it gets better with maturity bc although I love having them, I am a little disappointed in this side of them. I chose friendly breeds on purpose but I'm just not seeing it a whole lot yet.
 
Ursuline Chick said:
Just be patient, chickens are like people, some are more friendly than others. They are also like cats, easily trained with a treat they really like. My hens are trained to come when called, done with treats. Have also litter trained a wild kitten with cheesecake. LOL
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I can't wait for this day! I clearly need to get treats! I trained a feral kitten to litter train with dirt! He had NO clue what litter was and was holding it until he was nearly empacted. I would have to take him outside and then it hit me... just put dirt in the pan. Duh!!! I just gradually added litter increasing the litter to dirt ratio until dirt was no more. Animals have never been a problem for me. I've actually always considered myself gifted when it comes to them but I just have to learn what's normal for my chicks and what isn't. I'm beginning to realize just from these conversations that their fear and behavior is normal at this age. I just didn't expert it being that I've had most of them from a few days old.
 
To jwyles: I have a question for you? do you keep your feeder full all the time? My birds are on FF, so when I go to visit them in the morning, it is to fill their feeders. I feed them again later in the day if they need it. I get mobbed. They act as though they haven't been fed in weeks, instead of it only having been 8 hours or so. Between feedings, they are most often free ranging, and their crops are almost always full. They come on the run when ever they see me. You might consider letting their feeder get empty now and then. I don't intend for my birds to be lap chickens, and some of them freak out when I pick them up. However, there are those that come and stand on my feet, and beg to get picked up. No matter the disposition of the chicken being handled, They all get a facial massage before I set them down. Usually, after such attention, they will stand and stare up at me. I'm guessing that they are asking "Was the humiliation of getting picked up and handled by the human worth that incredible facial massage????"
 
lazy gardener said:
To jwyles: I have a question for you? do you keep your feeder full all the time? My birds are on FF, so when I go to visit them in the morning, it is to fill their feeders. I feed them again later in the day if they need it. I get mobbed. They act as though they haven't been fed in weeks, instead of it only having been 8 hours or so. Between feedings, they are most often free ranging, and their crops are almost always full. They come on the run when ever they see me. You might consider letting their feeder get empty now and then. I don't intend for my birds to be lap chickens, and some of them freak out when I pick them up. However, there are those that come and stand on my feet, and beg to get picked up. No matter the disposition of the chicken being handled, They all get a facial massage before I set them down. Usually, after such attention, they will stand and stare up at me. I'm guessing that they are asking "Was the humiliation of getting picked up and handled by the human worth that incredible facial massage????"
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YES I DO! This is some seriously great advice! And o don't want lap chickens either but I want to be able to give them a checkup, meds or take a pic of them without their lives flashing before their eyes. I'm definitely doing the facial massage thing from now on. Wonderful idea. I already hold them until the calm down before I let them go but hadn't thought about that. I just love brainstorming! :highfive:
 
Ursuline Chick said:
Jwyles, you already know, per the kitten story. Sometimes we have to put on our thinking caps and/or consult another mind to find the answer. That's what makes this site so great.
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You are absolutely right! I researched chickens a lot before I purchased mine and learned an incredible amount about the specific breeds and types but when it comes to their care and learning behaviors- this site has been my lifeline. And yes... brainstorming with individuals with experience is exactly the best way to find out what works best for me! Basically Y'ALL ARE AWESOME!!
 
I feel the same way, researched for 4 years before we got our first and have had chickens for about 5 years now. Have monitored this site from the beginning and finally decided to join the fun myself. So glad I did. My husband encouraged me to join for years to join, and now that I have I think he wishes I hadn't. Spending more time here than ever. LOL
 
Ursuline Chick said:
I feel the same way, researched for 4 years before we got our first and have had chickens for about 5 years now. Have monitored this site from the beginning and finally decided to join the fun myself. So glad I did. My husband encouraged me to join for years to join, and now that I have I think he wishes I hadn't. Spending more time here than ever. LOL
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Me too girl! Some days (like today) I stay on this site! :caf :pop I can think of worse ways to spend my time tho!
 

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