My chicks don't like me :(

[whoop whoop]

Don't worrytoo much, I am also new to chickens, and mine did the same. Eventually they come round, try not chase them to catch them as my daughter does it freaks them out. I sit and have lunch with them and they come up to see what goodies I have and normally drop a few worms around (not that I am eating worms)

 

[AmericaHens]

All of my chicks were like that until we started handling them. And they still try to flap their wings and stuff.

 

[splum]

My chicks run to me when they see my hands because the know my hands usually have a treat.

 

[svfarm]

My chicks were skittish around me too. All I had to do to fix this was sit on the ground of the coop with feed in my hands. Slowly each chick came up to me and ate out of my hands. After doing this a couple times, the chicks now come up to me and are very friendly. They feel a threatened when I'm standing. But as soon as I sit down, everyone relaxes.

 

[ChickenChatten]

I also use treats to win over my chicks, but out of curiosity, what kind of treats does everybody use? I'm usually unsure of what kind of treats its okay to give chicks at a young age

 

[rides2far]

Don't feel bad, most of mine are the same way. Most of mine will circle around my feet when I give them treats, but all but 2 or 3 run away if I try to pick them up. There are at least 3 or 4 that want nothing to do with me. I only have one that likes people & is OK with being picked up. Just have time & patience with them. They're just like people, some are touchy-feely, some aren't!

 

[mechanic57]

My chickens were the same way from just 2 day old. I have 3 different breeds in my flock and each has a different comfort/tolerance level to being picked up or held. Some will let you pick them up if they feel like it, others won't get close enough to give you the chance. Treats definitely bring them running to your feet though. Talking to them so they know your voice and getting down at their level are two big keys to getting them more comfortable with you. More comfortable may not mean willing to play with you like a puppy would.

The one thing I found that works as far as doing a health and safety inspection on the flock is to go in the coop at night while they are on the roosting bars. I go every night to close the coop and do a head count. After dark, mine let me pick them up off the roosting bar and check their feet, between feathers, etc for general health and wellness. I have one of those flashlights that's on a headband so I can put it on my head. It shines where I'm looking and keeps my hands free. I talk to the chickens like I do when I'm feeding them and it keeps them calm while I check them out. I don't know if its because they can't see in the dark so they rather be held instead of flapping, squawking and running off into the night, but it works for me.

 

[mechanic57]

Here is the type of light I use. Most hardware stores as well as the big Orange and the big Blue store sell them for anywear from $5.99 to $39.99