My Day Old Chicks are on Order - Need Advice

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RatQueen

RatQueen

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My 15 babies are on order and I'm impatiently awaiting them. I have all that's needed to brood. feed and house them. My question is this "I will want to handle them immediately?" As a youngster living on a farm, my parents would never let me near the babies. Any thoughts?
 
RatQueen said:
My 15 babies are on order and I'm impatiently awaiting them. I have all that's needed to brood. feed and house them. My question is this "I will want to handle them immediately?" As a youngster living on a farm, my parents would never let me near the babies. Any thoughts?
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Welcome to BYC!
Early socialization of chicks is important if one wants to have "pet" chickens - there is some great information on socialization over in the learning center here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-to-socialize-baby-chickens
I am very hands on with my animals, including the chickens. That being said, I would suggest that when you get them home and into the brooder you show them the feed and water and then give them a little time and space to settle in before you begin with the hands on stuff. Whether they are being sent directly to you by mail or you will be picking them up from a store or private individual, the process of being uprooted from one location, transported and then put in a new environment is a LOT of a little bird to take in. Giving them a day to just find their bearings and recover from their journey (however long or short it was) is a good idea.
 
Hi :welcome

Glad you could join the flock! Congrats on your impending chicks I hope they all arrive safely for you. I start taming mine straight away after I have moved them to the brooder from the incubator I give them chance to get acclimatised to the brooder get them eating and drinking which means picking them up and gently dipping their beaks into the water. After they are settled I start by making sure I talk to them all the time when I am near this way they become used to my voice. I start by putting food in my hand on the floor of the brooder they soon come and check it out. Make sure when you do lift them up they can't fall into the floor they are quick and soon fly out of your hand.
Here is a lovely article on taming chicks I'm sure you will find it very helpful > https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-to-tame-chickens-from-the-start

Wishing you the very best of luck with your new adventure, enjoy BYC :frow
 
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Hello :frow and Welcome To BYC! Good luck with your new chicks!
 
One thing to remember when socializing chicks is that threats come from above! Make your presence known before sticking your hand in the brooder. And make all movements slow and at their eye level. I suggest using a clear 10 gal aquarium because this allows them to see you as you walk up to them! Experiments have shown that chicks grow up less afraid of you because they get used to seeing you on a daily basis when in a clear brooder:D. Also I suggest handling them often. But let them come to you! You can make your hand sort of be the mama so they learn to trust the hand instead of running away! Well that's what has worked for me in the past! Good luck!:D
 
Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

Great advice has already been given to you. Taming chicks is pretty easy. Just be gentle, quiet and consistent. I actually wrote an article on this topic exactly. Here it is if you are interested
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https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-to-tame-chickens-from-the-start

Best of luck!
 

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