My chickens hate me!

[sourland]

They don't hate you. They're just scared of you. What would your reaction be if something 40 times your size chased you with a large fearsome object? Be patient around them. Walk slowly, talk quietly to them and get them to associate you with food not brooms.

 

[P-Funk]

I think I know how you feel. I handled the babies everyday in the brooder, then in the laundry room. Two weeks ago they moved to the coop and went straight behind the big waterer in the corner. Only a few days ago did they first venture out to the run. They still won't eat treats, even the ones they liked when they lived in the house. They're 9 weeks now but still cower in the corner when I open the door. I can only assume the move was traumatic, but they're still getting bigger...

 

[bearchix]

They are finally coming around! I have made sure every time I go into the pen, I have a handful of food and would squat down to their level and wait for them to come and eat it out of my hand. Now, its been a week and they are starting to run over to me when I open the door!!! They will run away if I make any sudden moves or when I go into their sleeping area, but they seem to be coming around and understand I am the bringer of food. I am very excited! It sees like there is hope that they will want to be friends eventually

 

[sj3364]

That's great! Keep up the treats and spend time just sitting quietly while they go about their chickeny business.

Yesterday I got a beach towel out and laid on the ground while they milled around me. Pretty soon they were climbing all over me...and then a couple of them pooped on me. I took it as a compliment.

 

[Missymac]

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