New chicken keeper / Zoology life

[Eggs2chicks]

Welcome Aboard and congratulations. I am new to chickens as of March and let me tell you.... IT’S AWESOME!!! Just hatching chicks as of yesterday. I am a nervous wreck. Lol. So. Have fun.

 

[Eggs2chicks]

Mine are ridiculously well handled, but getting them used to your presence and providing incentives to interact are a start. Mealworms are universally liked, so greeting them with treats or implementing a 'treat-call' will go a long way. Also, you can slowly add in enrichment goodies for them, like a stack of cut grass or raked leaves - essentially, you want them to see you as their provider and bringer of goodies.
When gardening, collect any tasty bugs and try calling them over - you may end up with a permanent garden buddy this way
They all have their own personalities, likes and dislikes to discover. Some may never be ok with handling while others may seek you out for a short cuddle or affirmative pat before heading off on a new adventure.
You know you've successfully integrated into your flock once they start coming in the house looking for you

Lol. That is so funny and true. Lol. My chickens own me. Lolol

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us

 

[N F C]

Congratulations on your new home and flock!

 

[Meg-in-MT]

Hello! Welcome to BYC!! It sounds like you'll be spending a lot of time with them, that's really what it takes. Treats definitely help!

 

[007Sean]

Howdy and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Happy to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

Thanks for joining our community!

 

[DottieMinerva]

Chicken carer? You have to tend to those birds, so that would make you a "chicken tender".

 

[FortCluck]

 

[PioneerChicks]

I have a zoology degree and plenty of zookeeping & wildlife rehab experience, so I'm no shy person about cleanliness/nutrition/illnesses/smells, but that doesn't mean I know how chickens behave and the best way to help them thrive (yet).

Do you have to have a zoology degree to rehabit wildlife? What wildlife do you most often rehab?

 

[MarantaOrp]

Do you have to have a zoology degree to rehabit wildlife? What wildlife do you most often rehab?

Not specifically. My degree is general. If I were to whisper in my younger self's ear, I'd have done a wildlife management degree with some emphasis on zoology.
I'm in Colorado, but I've worked with a variety of native species. Song birds, raccoons, and birds of prey are my most common. I'm rather an avian kind of person