My chicks hate me!!!!!...what am I doing wrong?

[3chimama]

My 9 week old pullets are very tame. I just sit in a chair and let them come to me. They love to hop up on my lap and have me pet them. They fight each other for a premium spot on my lap ;D

 

[True Grit]

I tried a bunch of different treats for my babies but they only liked sand. They mob my hand for it. I have 5 chicks about 11 days old and they all react differently to me.

 

[vickibiro]

mine run from me too like they're scared but I just talk in a soothing voice to them, and scoop them up gently. I will try the two finger method and see if that works. I have tried a few different treats but they just poop on the treats right now. They're only a week old. I predict they will love treats as soon as they figure out what they are and that they will love me. How can they resist?

 

[Lobzi]

Quote:
Yep, treats....that is the secret. "Buy" their love with meal worm treats.

 

[Barbeque]

If I may say, I think I found the key to a chicks heart.
Or mine, at least.
I dip my finger in plain yogurt. Then I put crushed mealworms and their food on it. They love it!

 

[silkymom]

i have 2 silky chicks in the house right now, mom is sitting on nothing, she just likes to sit, they were following mirror, my rooster around , he tryed to take care of them but , not the momma, so they are in now, i put them on a towel on the couch next to me, and give them things to peck at, food, water , clover, they now think im the momma and sleep under my arm, and peck at my laptop lights, try to dust bath in the towel, now when i put them back in the brooder they scream for me, but actuall holding isnt their favorite, they like me to preen them and peck the treats with my finger, and they go for it, and my nails, then will snuggle with me, they are 3 weeks old and now are so spoiled they now at 11 at night are still peeping for me to come get them, and were in a major storm so all babies are scared, pheasant chicks to, i may have to let them come back with me , dont worry if ya just get em used to your hands they will be fine in the yard with ya,
juliet

 

[4urbanchicks]

We have been using the two finger method, and the chicks seem to be much more comfortable with it! is it okay to give them small earthworms at 4 weeks? They are getting chick grit.

 

[StormyMoon]

What I did to get my chicks to like me , me and the kids just handled them a lot every day ........we didnt lightly stroke them though, we scratched their necks and around their feathers my chickens really like that Mr Grey my rooster loved it most. The only treat I could get them to eat was maza you make tortillas with if you decide to do this only start with 1 spoon of it and make sure it is corn maza add tiny bit of water to make it mooshy, not flour tortilla mix. They will follow you around any where you go and sit in your lap and snuggle with you after you give them this.
I always started small 1 spoon, then I increased it as they decided they liked it. My Bantams didnt like it much at first they picked at it but wouldnt eat it until they was about 4 weeks old now they tear it up. They will come sit on you just for a taste of it.

When we picked them up we always made sure one hand over their wings and other hand under their feet they like to feel secure or they will flap about.

I hope this helps

 

[BoerneChickens]

Quote:
I gave little pieces of strawberries. I hold the cut piece in my fingers and they peck little bits out of it. They loved them (Still do actually) - but I only gave small bits when they were that little so they don't get too much at any one time.

 

[StormyMoon]

Quote:
I gave little pieces of strawberries. I hold the cut piece in my fingers and they peck little bits out of it. They loved them (Still do actually) - but I only gave small bits when they were that little so they don't get too much at any one time.

I agree they love strawberries but when they was a few weeks old mine wouldn't take them. Today I got home I had blue berries, strawberries and watermelon for them they went to town. I made up a small fruit salad for them just 2 strawberries and 4 blue berries and a slice of watermelon. Then we held each piece in our hands and they would come get them.