I picked up 11 chicks yesterday from a local hatchery (Dunlap in Caldwell Idaho) As I drove home I put my hand in the box with them and they all tried to get under it, It was cool to have a bunch of little chickies cuddling under my hand.
So now I have them home in their brooder and I decided I will handle them several times a day because I want them as pets/companions. Already they arent scared of being lifted, as long as I move slowly and when I cup them in my hands and stroke their backs gently they lay down and fall asleep in a few seconds or nuzzle their little beaks in between my fingers and roll around in my hand, always fairly quietly, little chirps but never distressed loud peeps. Does this resemble chick behavior while under mama?
I want to believe this is a step in the right direction but, you who have experience with chicks, is this something they just do or am I doing something right in getting them to be tame?
I will continue to do it this way, they seem very content and comfortable so I think I probably have the temp/food/water thing right.
What do some of you think?
Thank you,
Laurie
Edited to add;
I guess I should tell you what I got! I have 2 araucana pullets and one cockrel, he has tufts on his face. 2 barred rock pullets, 2 RIR pullets and 4 Buff Orpington pullets. I will add them, when they are old enough, to the 3 I have now. one mixed banty roo, one mixed banty hen and a mixed polish crested hen that lays blue eggs. The 3 were given to me last summer and I decided I must have more.
So now I have them home in their brooder and I decided I will handle them several times a day because I want them as pets/companions. Already they arent scared of being lifted, as long as I move slowly and when I cup them in my hands and stroke their backs gently they lay down and fall asleep in a few seconds or nuzzle their little beaks in between my fingers and roll around in my hand, always fairly quietly, little chirps but never distressed loud peeps. Does this resemble chick behavior while under mama?
I want to believe this is a step in the right direction but, you who have experience with chicks, is this something they just do or am I doing something right in getting them to be tame?
I will continue to do it this way, they seem very content and comfortable so I think I probably have the temp/food/water thing right.
What do some of you think?
Thank you,
Laurie
Edited to add;
I guess I should tell you what I got! I have 2 araucana pullets and one cockrel, he has tufts on his face. 2 barred rock pullets, 2 RIR pullets and 4 Buff Orpington pullets. I will add them, when they are old enough, to the 3 I have now. one mixed banty roo, one mixed banty hen and a mixed polish crested hen that lays blue eggs. The 3 were given to me last summer and I decided I must have more.
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