My silkie chicks are terrified of me!

[Silkielover16]

Hello,
I am new to owning chickens and got my first 4 silkie chicks on March break.

they are now 8 weeks old.As they are silkies i expected them to be very docile and calm,as small chicks i spent a great amount of time each day talking to them and feeding them out of my hand.And now at 8 weeks old they are out in there coop and have become VERY skittish and very hard to handle. If i try to pick one up they run as far away from me as possible,and if i do catch one they SCREAM (yes they scream they don't cluck they scream) bloody murder. Do you guys have any tips on how i can get them to be more comfortable with me.

 

[Kevin565]

When picking them up make sure to do it slowly so you aren't scaring them too much. Also I'd suggest sitting near them without picking them up so they get used to being around you again. Also treats like Mealworms can assist in bringing them near you.

 

[suebee]

Silkies can be very skittish. I don't attempt to handle any scared silkies. I'll sit near them and talk in a calm voice. Don't expect them to eat treats out of your hand but drop treats close to you, near your feet so they'll get close. Important tip..don't move in a jerky manner and try not to move your feet.
I've done this with every skittish silkie and over time most will sit near me, under my chair, next to my shoes, etc. They still don't like to be picked up but knowing they trust me enough to get close will do.

My silkies favorite treat is canned corn!

 

[Silkielover16]

Thanks for replying so quickly

thanks for all the great tips the thing that puzzles me is something that i forgot to mention in my first post.When they where young they took food out of my hand very easily, but when i moved them into there coop they have not eaten out of my hand . Could it be because there still getting used to being outside in there new coop?

 

[suebee]

Yes, that's a major change so they're probably scared of new surroundings. I'd just sit with them for reassurance and they'll come around.

 

[Silkielover16]

ya like i said im new to owning chickens and all i want to do is cuddle them and hug

them lol

 

[Sarahej]

I get it, we are in love!

 

[Silkielover16]

yes i just cant stand there cute ness

thank u guys for all the great tips because when i went out to see them THEY DIDNT RUN FROM MEE

and when i went in there run two of them sat on my lap

 

[Sarahej]

Congrats!!

 

[Silkielover16]

thank you

but now I have a bigger problem i have 4 silkie chickens and 3 are roosters nooooooooooo

do they crow as loud as standard breeds????
but what sux the most is that the roos r the sweetest and nicest