My Chicks Hate Me!!

[pattee]

I'm so glad to read some of these posts... I don't feel quite alone.

My chicks will be 6 weeks on Monday. I still have a couple that won't come up to me and the others well they will if I have treats.

I agree I think some chickens are just flighty and I know I have a couple. In fact the one bird that everyone seems to snuggle with screams when I pick her up!

One thing I found that they like is to use their food and mix it with water. Make it into a mash. My hens just love it!

 

[KellyGwen]

OMG! The mash is a BIG HIT!!!!!!!!!!!

THEY LOVE IT! For the last 4-5 days I've been opening their chicken door in the morning and letting them out into the run (they are almost 5 weeks and the run has nice shady spots in this HEAT!). Since it's been SO HOT I thought it was a good idea to try the mash.. to get them water and the food they need to get BIG! THEY LOVE IT!

For the first 2-3 days I was just putting it down and stepping back.. letting them enjoy. The other day I waited to put it down until they were looking and said "Here Chick Chick!!" and made kissy noises. I put it down slowly while they were looking and left my hand near it.

Yesterday I said "Here Chick Chick! *kiss* *kiss*" and they came RUNNING!!! They may be young but they aren't dummies!!

I still can't pick them up... but at least now they LIKE seeing me!!!! They are getting their mash in the morning and at night. I figure I can't over-do it since it's their food and not something junky or not so healthy. Plus they've been spending SO MUCH TIME outside eating grass and catching bugs I want to be sure their getting proper nutrition!!

Plus it's cute to see them slogging through the mash and leaving wet chicken prints on my flip-flopped-feet!

HOORAY!!!

 

[coltsrox]

fortunately my chicks love me but i got them when they were 1weeks old so at first they werent' comfortable with me but 11 weeks later they as i do, adore me. umm i would say spend alot of time with them, don't give to many treats cause then they won't eat their normal food. feed their normal food out of your hand i dind't give mine applesauce iuntil they were like 5weeks so... anyways when did you get them? how old were they? cause i f you got them while they were like 3weeks then they just have to adjust to you believe me it took them awhile to love me..also don't go above their heads,hold them alot, and maybe put their treats on a plate.

 

[KellyGwen]

I got them when they were 2 days old from a hatchery. The mash I'm making them is their normal food mixed with water... so it's GREAT that they like it so much, cuz it's good for them!

The problem with holding them, and why I haven't done it too much, is that in order to hold them I have to CATCH them... and that freaks them out.

So now, while they're eating their mash, I just put my hands near them... Eventually I'm going to work up to petting them while they're eating. I'm trying to ease them into it without causing panic

I spend a lot of time with them since I'm home all day and don't work (I'm on disability) I'm using the mash as positive reinforcement... hopefully the good feelings they get from the mash will transfer onto me!

So far so good though! You should have seen them come running this morning when I said "Here chick chick!!"

 

[Biddieacres]

This may seem like a real silly question but is that what mash is? I am new to this and have only been giving the chick starter. Should I be mixing that with warm water to make mash for a treat?

 

[pattee]

Quote:
Mash is mixing their starter food with water... I make mine a bit watery and they love it. It's funny seeing food on their beaks like they are messy children.

I'm so glad the mash worked for you KellyGwen!

When they are eating out of my hand I try and use one finger to rub their chest really slow.

Nest try put some mash on you shoe or pant leg... they will eventually come up to you.

 

[pattee]

2 pictures of my chicks eating mash off my pants... I know messy, but it's worth it!

 

[KellyGwen]

Quote:
Now THAT is dedication!!!! :lol

 

[KellyGwen]

Quote:
I use cold water... the crumbles soak is right up!! With this heat it's a great way to get them cooled down and get them the water they need. I bet when they walk in it it feels really nice on their feet

I'm jealous watching them!!

 

[rebecca10782]

Quote:
I just put up a post about the same problem, but even their first day here they came running for crickets. I think every chicken would agree that is there favorite treat ever!