New chicken keeper.. taming my orpingtons?

[chickerchick]

Hi guys. I have only started keeping chickens again after years of not having them. I hatched and raised one group of chickens, which were bluebells and light sussex. They were very friendly and would love to be petted and would fall asleep on me. They are now living outside and are even more friendly as they've aged.

I decided to buy some day old orpington chicks, as I found from research that they were an overall docile and friendly breed, I thought they'd go well with my other babies. They are about a month old now, and these little guys are not like my last ones! They are very hyperactive and skittish, they hate being touched and go crazy when I pick them up to put them outside or anything. They will eat from my hands, but thats pretty much it.

I understand that chickens aren't really supposed to be tame, and I know some of you will be rolling your eyes at this! But my chickens are my pets, I like to bond with them! Obviously its not the end of the world if they're not that tame, but I would like to know a way to tame these little guys! Does anyone have any suggestions? Also do you think they will get more docile with age? Thanks

 

[sourland]

Feed is the great equalizer, and I do believe that they will become more docile as they mature.

 

[JsChkns]

If it makes you feel any better, my BO were the same way at that age. I was devastated at the time thinking they would always be like this. They continued to be skittish up until 3ish months. We worked with them daily to feed them treats out of our hands so they could build trust that we weren't out to get them. I am happy to say my BO are now 5 months and they don't run from us, let us pick them up, and even melt in my daughters arms when she hugs all over them. They come up to us when we have treats or when we approach the coop. Just stick with it and they will be just fine