New to chicken craze

Hi Donna; Glad you joined BYC. I am a newbie (my flock is 3 weeks old) so I haven't a scrap of advice for you, sorry. I will follow this thread with interest because I am encountering the same difficulty. Thanks for posting the question.

 

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

Nice to meet you Donna, Welcome to the Backyard chickens flock. The way to a chickens heart is through their stomach.

 

What Drumstick Diva said is so very true. I'm very much a rookie myself but I found it easier to approach them if you move very slowly. They're not big on quick movement, approaching them from above, or carrying anything large like a ladder or pushing a wheelbarrow. I believe they thing the larger objects are predators. Also the breed makes a difference too. I have a couple of Leghorns and most all of them are much more easily spooked than my Barred Rocks. What kind do you have?

 

Hi Donna! Welcome to the wonderful, rewarding and sometimes frustrating world of chickens! What others have said is true...treats are the way to chickies hearts. I got my first flock as day olds 3 years ago and found out totally by accident that they mobbed me when i brought them scrambled egg, a few ground oats, yogurt and later dandelion leaves. And heres a completely accidental benefit from that experience. I always called their treats candy and would say "come here and get some candy" to some of the more timid chicks. To this day (3 years later) if the ladies are out free ranging and i need to put them in their pen i just holler "come get your candy!" And they come tearing around corners racing each other to hop in their pen for a snack lol. They have also taught each addition to the flock that "candy" = "get there fast by any means neccessary" . Have a great time with your chicks