I got 7 new chickens that are about a year old, and they are scared to death of people.. What can I do to make them, not hate me?
Keep them in their coop (be sure it is well ventilated) for about a week, so they know it's home. Spend as much time with them as you can, not necessarily holding them, but just being around them and letting them understand you're ok. As they become less skittish you can start the holding/petting. Feed them lots of treats. If they won't come near you, start out by putting it on the ground (or in a bowl/container) and standing back while they eat. When they start getting used to your being there, gradually move closer until you get to the point where you can hold the treats in your hand and they come to you for it. Also, when you feed them, call them. I call, "Heeeere chicky chicky chicky" for my girls when I feed them or have a treat. That way they'll know you're where their food comes from, and as chickens, they should love food. Best of luck!
A common misconseption is that handling your already skittish hens with make them less skittish, but the truth is, chasing them down to catch them just so that they can panick while you hold them does more harm then good. You have to earn thier trust and let them come to you, sit in thier run (or wherever you let them range) and put treats around you, it may take a while but they will eventually come to check it out, once they trust you enough to come and get the treats as soon as you put them out, try holding them in your hand so that they have to come even closer. Hope this was helpful.
Thanks ya'll! That helped, they are still a lil skiddish, but they know the hand that feeds them, and come runnin' to me when they see me carryin' their bucket of corn!
