New chickens...

[Zythophile]

So I got 3 new chickens 3 days ago...and they are very different from my last ones (who got eaten by a fox!)

My old chickens would eat out of my hand from day one, they would come running over to me from day 3 and eat anything I had to offer...my new ones don't. They hide in the run all day even when they can free range, and they won't eat any treats, not even live worms! They do eat their pellets so I'm not worried about that, but they are really 'take it or leave it' with treats - greens, grain, pasta, worms anything really. They do eat it if I walk away and leave them.

Is this just a passing phase? They are about 16-18 weeks old and there is an Oxford brown an Oxford blue and a white leghorn (in the order of least skittish). The Leghorn runs when I get anywhere near her.

One thing I loved about my old chickens was how they would run up the garden when they heard the door go, and come and sit with/on me when I was in the garden. These new ones seem totally different. They spend an awful lot of time sitting down in the run...and are quite scared to explore.

Are my hopes of friendly chickens too high??

 

[sourland]

It appears that these chickens were not socialized as young birds. They are put off by the move, but have probably never been very friendly. Give them time to adjust. Move slowly around them and speak to them in a soft voice. Keep them a little bit hungry so that they come to associate you with feed. Eventually you should be able to win their trust. Good luck.

 

[Zythophile]

Thanks, I did wonder about rationing them, but it's quite hard when they free range!

I got then from a fairly commercial breeder so...

They just don't seem curious about anything...it was just lashing I down with rain and they just stand in the open getting soaked. I picked two up and brought them to a sheltered part of the garden. One stayed until it stopped raining, the other went back into the open and just stood there!

My old birds seemed a lot sharper Haha

 

[Zythophile]

Also, I wondered if they might become happier once they start laying eggs?

 

[sourland]

They have to figure out how to be 'chickens'.

 

[Zythophile]

They also just seem to stay in the same area all the time...not wanting to explore! I guess they will get less nervous over time.

I know what you mean though...their attempts at scratching are pretty poor! Haha

Last night they were looking to roost - 2 of them got it (kinda), but the other one tried perching on top of the pellet hopper much to our amusement as she is quite a large bird!

 

[realsis]

All chickens will have their very own personality. And yes they tend to become more friendly after laying. I had a very shy one in my flock and after laying she became a teddy bear like the others in my flock but again it depends on the breed and unique personality. I have silkies and by nature they are docile. But each personality comes into play as well. I feel very blessed that my girls are so loving. They will sit in my lap and purr.but they have always been friendly since babies except my shy girl. Then since she laid she has become friendly as well. My advice is to work with them on a daily basis and get to know each ones own unique personality. Keep working with them and they should come around. Also do some research on the breeds temperaments and see what you have to work with. Some breeds are more high strung naturally. So find out what you have to work with by doing some breed reasearch. Don't give up and stay consistant. Hold and pet them daily. They should come around for you. Work with their own personalities and it should work out just fine. Not all breeds are lap chickens or teddy bears but you can surely create a lasting bond with them by continuing to handle and love them. It should work out just fine. They will soon grow to love and trust you. It just takes some time. If your looking for a lap chicken or a exceptionally docile breed you might consider adding a silkie or two. But because they are so docile, you might have to watch them with your other birds because they are very easily bullied because of their gentle nature. I really hope this helps and wish you the best of luck with your new flock. They are going to be different from your old flock because of unique personalities but don't give up and continue working with them and I'm sure they will soon bond with you. God bless.

 

[Zythophile]

Thanks for the input. The oxfords are a very docile breed, the leghorn not so much.

So should I pick them up and hold them? I wondered if me catching them and handling them would make them more scared of me or..?

 

[sourland]

Since chickens are a prey species (and they know this) catching and holding birds that are unaccustomed to the practice might only make the situation worse. Let them warm up to you on their terms.