New to chickens

[Mollyf213]

I have 2 barred Plymouth rocks, two Rhode Island reds, and two ideal white 236. All Pullets. Any tips on making them be more friendly and come to me? I try to touch them and be gentle but they are jumpy.

 

[drumstick diva]

food is the way to a chickens heart.

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, Mollyf213, and

! Pleased you joined us! I agree with drumstick - treats!! Good luck to you!

 

[kacklinkelly]

I agree with the treats. I really wanted mine to be friendly since I was hoping our grandson would
get involved. As I was taming the chicks for my grandson, guess who got attached. I spent time
daily holding and giving some treats. Some days I wouldn't give treats and would just hold them each for a little
bit. They definitely got the idea of where/who the treats come from after a while. They are now a little
over 7 months and when they are loose will come running to our back door when they hear it open. It
is a pretty funny site. They sometimes peck at the back door and also just lay patiently on the door matt as if to say "hello, we
will not be ignored".

The other day I was sitting in our backyard after a long day of work. I put my head back in the chair to relax
and was falling asleep when a got a great big shock of our black australorp jumping up into my lap. I had
no treats and didn't initiate any contact. That was pretty cool once I got over the fright of being woken up
like that

 

[Mollyf213]

Thanks for the advice! I know they can't eat certain things when they are young. Besides their regular food, what do you recommend as treats for chicks 2-3 weeks old?

 

[1muttsfan]

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

Instead of food you might try holding them regularly. It is important that you hold a chick until it settles down and stops fussing before you return it to the brooder

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC!!

Glad to have you aboard!!