My pullets are incredibly skittish & scared of me

[KnoxChickens]

I am building a new flock of backyard chickens and in the last week I acquired my first 5 pullets: two Cuckoo Marans and three Easter Eggers. They’re all 6-8 weeks old. They seem to be bonding with each other but they won’t let me anywhere near them without frantically trying to get as far away from me as possible. I don’t chase them or try to grab them; I just sit quietly next to them in the run and speak gently to them. Still, they’re petrified of me. I’ve tried offering them treats, including black sunflower seeds, scrambled eggs and pieces of bread but they go nuts trying to get away from the treats if I gently toss them anywhere near them. They definitely won’t get close enough to me to take any treats out of my hands so gently tossing the treats near them while calling to them in a calm, gentle voice would seem to be the best way for them to begin associating me with good stuff. But again, they seem terrified of the treats if I try to get the treats close enough to them to make the positive association. Do any of you have any recommendations for calming exceptionally flighty and fearful young chickens? If you do, I’d love to hear them. Thanks!

 

[The Phantom]

At this age they can be very wild. Especially the EEs. I would just continue spending time with them and giving them treats to show them that good things come from you. I would also try meal worms, yogurt, and some watermelon.

 

[Roo5]

Continuing to do what you do sounds like it’s gonna work adventaully the birds just need to adapt.Once you get them coming atleast within few inches try getting them to eat from your hand.The once you get that far try petting them with your fingers then after that try it with your hand.Once they allow petting, try picking them up,or encourage hen to climb on you first and then pick them up.Ive had more success with getting them to climb on top of me for food then once they get use to my lap they usually lose fear and allow me to touch them.

 

[Ra_]

Carve the kernels off an ear of corn and just toss them in the coop or put them in their feed dish until they develop a craving. Then gradually lure them closer and closer until they relate you to food, instead of danger.

 

[Taj_MaChicken]

Do they have a treat they partially love? Ours love watermelon and bananas and we sit with them at night and they have to eat treats out of our hands if they want them (we give them treats at other times as well).

Ours can be unsure of us, but I've found it's easiest to pick them up when they're roosting during the day.

 

[Below frigid]

Mealworms, especially live ones. They are chicken crack.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Sounds like you're approaching it the right way so continue to quietly spend time with them, offering a few treats, etc. It will take some time for them to come around, plus they're getting close to the age where they'd naturally become flightier, but I think if you persist by the time they get close to laying they'll also be over their fear of you.

One tidbit: if you need to approach them for any reason try crouching down and shuffling forward, as a standing human is obviously much bigger and scarier looking than a crouching one.

 

[Ra_]

Delay their feeding and see if they suddenly find you more interesting.