My chicks are crazy scared of me.

[urbanMike]

This is a hormonal thing, they tend to calm down quite a lot once they begin laying, vs the more frantic, run-from-everything teenage phase.

I'd say a chicken's friendliness is a combination of inherent breed qualities + their individual personality. Of my initial group of chickens, one was added 7 weeks after the original chicks (all same hatch dates, just bought later on) and was a lot more terrified of people at the start. But now that she's an adult she's plenty friendly enough - no one would be able to pick her out as the one that didn't have human contact at the start of her life.

I worked with them the past few weeks to associate people with food. They're all used to being picked up now. And not having freak-out sessions. I think one the big differences is our first batch we got literally the day after they were hatched at the hatchery and this batch was a few weeks older when we got them and spent more time on display in a box.

They are getting pretty big now.

 

[MissE]

Mine are not pets. They don't run from me, and when I walk into the pasture, they all come running to see if I have treats. If I don't, most go on their way.

There is an exception. 4 weeks ago I got 6 POL Hyline Browns. They came from a commercial farm/hatchery that sells pullets to egg producers. I can't imagine they had much for human social interaction. These damn birds won't leave me alone. Every time I try to do something, I have this under my feet:

I've lost track of the number of times I've stepped on someone. If I bend down, they all do the squatty pitter patty thing. Go figure, the ones I don't raise from chicks are the friendliest.

They are also turning into good layers. Got my first egg on Sunday. As of Friday evening, I had 17. Not bad for 6 20 weeks old pullets.

 

[rosemarythyme]

There is an exception. 4 weeks ago I got 6 POL Hyline Browns. They came from a commercial farm/hatchery that sells pullets to egg producers. I can't imagine they had much for human social interaction. These damn birds won't leave me alone. Every time I try to do something, I have this under my feet:

I've lost track of the number of times I've stepped on someone. If I bend down, they all do the squatty pitter patty thing. Go figure, the ones I don't raise from chicks are the friendliest.

You are clearly the best head chicken/rooster they've ever dreamt of having!

 

[jonalisa]

Hi, I know chickens are prey animals and are, well, chicken.

This is my 3rd time brooding chicks and I don't recall the other two groups behaving like this group.

This group acts like I am a big scary hawk intent on killing them. They completely freak out each day when I check the food and water. They're about 5 1/2 weeks old. I'd stopped picking them up as they freak out so much, I figured that if I just keep calmly talking to them and slowing take care of their food and water that they they'll get used to me. But that hasn't happened. One day last week I did move them, one by one, from the brooder in the garage out to a big dog cage in the back yard as it was a nice day.

When I'd pick one up - after catching it - it'd scream, but when it was alone as I was transporting it through the house, cuddled to my chest, it stopped screaming.

Is that what I should be doing? Taking them out individually and spending time with them without the others?

What are some good chick snacks to give them/bribe them with? I'd just been doing the medicated chick feed.

What can I do to make these crazy chicks like me?

Check out this thread - I just responded to the same issue. Hang in there - it's an issue every one goes through. Check the thread for tips.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicks-are-afraid-of-me-so-discouraged.1467305/

 

[jonalisa]

Mine are not pets. They don't run from me, and when I walk into the pasture, they all come running to see if I have treats. If I don't, most go on their way.

There is an exception. 4 weeks ago I got 6 POL Hyline Browns. They came from a commercial farm/hatchery that sells pullets to egg producers. I can't imagine they had much for human social interaction. These damn birds won't leave me alone. Every time I try to do something, I have this under my feet:

View attachment 2656780
I've lost track of the number of times I've stepped on someone. If I bend down, they all do the squatty pitter patty thing. Go figure, the ones I don't raise from chicks are the friendliest.

They are also turning into good layers. Got my first egg on Sunday. As of Friday evening, I had 17. Not bad for 6 20 weeks old pullets.

You need to give in! Give in and be loved!