nice, then mean, then nice, then mean

[jillstu]

I am a first time chicken owner and have five 11 week old birds that I have raised since they were 2 day old chicks. When they were still inside in the dog crate, I could get them to perch on my arm, and one even liked to sit on my shoulder. Then I moved them outside, and they wouldn't even let me touch them. By being patient and offering treats, I got them to accept being petted, and 4 out of 5 would let me pick them up. Now, no one wants to be petted, and only the one lowest in the pecking order will settle down on my arm or leg after being picked up. The one that *used* to be the friendliest, now pecks at me if I try to pet her.

Can I still socialize them to be nice? Do I have to be spending a minimum amount of time with them each day? Should I continue trying to pet them and pick them up, even though they don't like it - or depend more on treat bribery? Is it normal for personalities to fluctuate like this as they grow, or am I being inconsistent some how?

2 speckled sussex (one is a cockerel) - they are both the most tolerant, 1 cuckoo maran (lowest in pecking order), 2 wyndottes (meany-pecky and least friendly)

Thanks for reading...

 

[Judy]

I've never had a lot of luck getting them to act like pets, yet I've had a few who loved to sit in my lap. I think some people do much better than I have, probably because they have a lot more patience. I do know it takes being around them a fair amount, so they are used to you. People will say to take a book, a drink and a lawn chair, and just sit with them. Bribery is a good idea. I think most any animal will respond better to patience and bribery than to being picked up whether they want it or not. Mine will run up to me in the hope I brought them something, though most won't get close enough for me to handle them.

 

[hopp2it]

Maybe they are in the midst of getting some new feathers and it hurts to be handled. I'm still a novice chicken owner but I have noticed when mine were getting the pin feathers in, they really did not like to be handled or touched.

 

[jillstu]

Thanks for the feedback you two. Didn't think of the feather issue. Guess I need a little more patience...