New group of hens - tips for socializing

[Boulder PK]

Hello everyone. A few months ago my 3 very sweet hens were hilled by the neighbors dog. I had raised them from 8 weeks, and they were very social and friendly. I had a buff orpington, australorp and a barred rock. All three were very sweet and well socialized (this took time and training with treats).

I just picked up 3 new 8 month old hens - a Speckled Sussex, White Leghorn, and an Ameraucana. They are still adjusting to their new space, which can be traumatizing, but I really want to get them to be social like my old hens were. Since I just got them and they are already 8 months old, have I missed a critical training/socializing window?

My leghorn is a total spazz and is terrified of me. She rams repeatedly into the fence trying to escape even when I am still 20 feet away and approaching. I am worried she is going to break her own neck. I had a ton of success using mealworms to socialize my last flock of girls. Any suggestions on how to socialize older birds would be great! Thanks everyone!

PK

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

I would say that if you want tame chickens, then you should do it when they are young. There might be a chance you could tame these, but it's going to take a lot of time. I would try going in the coop everyday. I would throw corn, or treats, on the ground, then step a ways back, and see if they will come and eat. I would sit down, and feed them treats a couple times. Do that everyday, and hopefully they will start thinking of you as treats. I would try throwing the treats closer to you, every time, but kind of read them. Don't do it u less they are comfortable with where you are putting them before. Stand still, and don't make any sudden movements. You could probably talk to them, and stuff, so they get used to your voice. Keep in mind this will probably take quite a while! When they get close enough to you, try putting some on the ground, and then putting some in your hand, and hold your hand out, flat. They will take a while to decide if they want to, and will probably grab some, and jump back. Keep doing this, until they are comfortable with eating on your lap. You might try putting your hands around them, moving them, etc. Always be slow. Once you think they are ready, try touching one, while it is eating. Just gently pet it's back. They may tolerate it, they may not. Hopefully, they will start jumping on your lap, eating out of your hand, etc. you could try teaching them to come to, 'here, chick, chick, chick, chick!'

Note: I have never actually done this whole thing. I have sat around with chickens to try and let the eat out of my hand, etc. I kind of know how they will act, but don't know if this whole thing will work, seeing how wild they are. So maybe you can just try it out, see how they react.

 

[sbhkma]

I like to take a book and a towel, lay the towel on the ground and sit on it, back leaning up against the run and just read. I don't look at them, I don't talk to them. I just sit quietly and read. After a few days, I bring treats with me and put them down about 3 feet away then read again. I don't look at them ever. Each day I put the treats a little closer until I actually keep it in my hand for them to get. And again, I don't look at them at all. I just hold my hand down by the ground and keep reading. Whenever I'm done for the day, I just slowly stand up and walk out of the run. While I'm out of the run is when I talk to them, give them a close look to make sure they look good and no health issues. Once they seem ok with this, I stop feeding them by hand. I don't want them to be pests, but I do want them to trust me.

 

[Boulder PK]

Thanks for the feedback, it has been a few weeks now and mealworms have been doing the trick. all three are eating out of my hand now and run up to me every morning for treats. They are still a little skidding about being picked up, but they come when called now most of the time. ALL GOOD and happy!