My chickies don't like me :(

[Critter Crazed]

Hello this is my first time having chicks. Please excuse the.. new-ness?

I hatched these chicks last Friday. They are Silkies. Whenever I try to grab one up to cuddle they run away from me in the brooder. When I do catch one it constantly squawks and peeps until it goes back into the brooder. Is this normal for a chick? Or do they not like me?
Whenever I put my hand in the brooder they squawk and run to a corner.

I know treats, treats, treats but these are chicks and you aren't supposed to give them that many treats or any... right? D:
I just want some cuddly chickens! Am I doing something wrong? Should I just cuddle them even though they squawk? Or should I leave them alone until they are a little older? I think I have about 2 that don't constantly peep after being taken out of the brooder but once they hear their brothers and sisters chirp they get all excited and make that squawking sound to go back.

I have a feeling these are really stupid questions!

 

[PeepsInc]

Aww they dont like you? U better send them to me!......Maybe they'll grow into it.

 

[thewarriorchild]

Keep holding them and they will get used to it. We have had dragon chicks, two anyway that have grabbed onto your hand and not let go. THEY don't like us. Yours just need to get used to you. The more you handle them the tamer they will be. Maybe hold two at once.

 

[farmin'chick]

Do a search for your message title -- you'll find TONS of advice to someone who had the same question in the last few months! Congratulations on becoming a new "chicken-head"!

 

[farmerkim]

totally normal, don't worry. Eventually they will like you.. I think

 

[fargosmom]

Keep handling them, gently and consistently. Mine didn't like it, but they tolerated being picked up, and when they got to laying-age two of them became much friendlier. So even though the other two still don't like being held, I get my fix from the two that do. One has become downright cuddly!

 

[wombat]

A big hand comiing down over the top of the brooder is scary!

Try putting their food in your hand, put your hand into the bottom of the brooder well away from them, and hold your hand at floor level and keep still.

Soon, hand=food!

Once they are happy to see a hand showing up, you can start picking them up gently, and holding them until they get over the initial surprise.

We have it easy, my seven year old daughter would carry chicks everywhere. She has one chicken raised from a hatchling that will tolerate her carrying it up to the top of her slide, and it will ride down the slide in her lap and jump off at the bottom! She calls it her "stunt chicken."

 

[Z_chicken]

tomatoes... Hand= tomatoes...

 

[Judy]

Good advice here.

Sit with them, do not chase or grab, lay your hand in there, give them time. Let them come to you. They will, when they learn you = goodies. Bribery will get you everywhere.

 

[Anny]

Of course they don't like you, you don't have any feathers.

I'm just kidding. It will take some time, just keep handling them and offering treats and good things.