Overwhelmed with worry and the "advice" of a poultry-raising friend, need HELP !

[An Sun]

Chickens are stupid and they're not mammals so cuddling doesn't always make them love you. the only thing that will ensure a better relationship is special treats.

This statement is inherently false...None of our chickens required treats prior to establishing a positive relationship, they were affectionate from the moment we got them. The primary reason our little chicks come to us has absolutely nothing to do with food, special or otherwise. They do so when they are scared or tired, or just lonely and want to be somewhere safe. Chickens are NOT stupid...our Alpha rooster has not only figured out how to take his collar off, but he always buries it when he does to ensure that we can't put it back on.

The way to ensure a good relationship is to treat them like pets, and handle them often. I do not know what source says they can be killed by overhandling but we have never had any problems extensively handling even the youngest of chicks for hours at a time, provided they are kept warm and have access to food and water. Not that you shouldn't give them plenty of treats!

 

[subhanalah]

[COLOR=808080]This statement is in inherently false...None of our chickens required treats prior to establishing a positive relationship, they were affectionate from the moment we got them. The primary reason our little chicks come to us has absolutely nothing to do with food, special or otherwise. They do so when they are scared or tired, or just lonely and want to be somewhere safe. Chickens are NOT stupid...our Alpha rooster has not only figured out how to take his collar off, but he always buries it when he does to ensure that we can't put it back on.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=808080]The way to ensure a good relationship is to treat them like pets, and handle them often. I do not know what source says they can be killed by overhandling but we have never had any problems extensively handling even the youngest of chicks for hours at a time, provided they are kept warm and have access to food and water.[/COLOR] [COLOR=808080]Not that you shouldn't give them plenty of treats![/COLOR]

x2
I believe people are cheating themselves by not handling their chicks enough. The reason my chicks come to me is because I have held them in my shirt and they snuggle in like they would with their mother hen. The ones I've been hands off with,run and scream when I come near. I believe most people's chickens are afraid of them because they never taught the chickens that you won't kill them once you catch them.

 

[An Sun]

I believe most people's chickens are afraid of them because they never taught the chickens that you won't kill them once you catch them.

Exactly so!

 

[Odelia]

Did you get your birds yet? Waiting for photo's of your lovely girls. I still haven't found out yet if I am getting blue Bresse this spring. I know that I am getting the new line of Cream Legbars. Very excited for blue eggs.

 

[newmarch2014]

I am entirely new to chickens this is my 11th day but the ease at which I can pick them up is 300 fold from day one. No treats yet just 1/2 an hour total spent picking each up for about 5 min of gentle handling and sitting on the floor with them. If I startle them they still spaz but if I just wait a still minute they calm and allow being picked up. My sickly chick that had to be nursed back to health is of course the calmest with me.

 

[subhanalah]

I am entirely new to chickens this is my 11th day but the ease at which I can pick them up is 300 fold from day one. No treats yet just 1/2 an hour total spent picking each up for about 5 min of gentle handling and sitting on the floor with them. If I startle them they still spaz but if I just wait a still minute they calm and allow being picked up. My sickly chick that had to be nursed back to health is of course the calmest with me.

they are always the most trusting because we've built a trust with them and an understanding. The weak ones always wind up being my favorites!

 

[Tumbleweed Farm]

Quote: x3. I have the sweetest ever 3 week old Marans cockrel that sees me as the rescurer!

My chicks all know my voice, especially the phrase "hey pretty baby" when said, they come running for me. It is also the first words I utter to the newly hatched before I settle them in. Anyway, back to my favorite lil cockrel--he started going into the chain linked run a few days ago and since he can get through the links he is forever running off, feeling lost and screaming his head off. I go find him, kneel, say "hey pretty boy", hold out my hand flat--he runs as fast as he can, jumps in my hand and I put him back in the coop with his buddies. I know this lil guy knows I'm his safety net--I know it.

 

[subhanalah]

x3.  I have the sweetest ever 3 week old Marans cockrel that sees me as the rescurer! 

My chicks all know my voice, especially the phrase "hey pretty baby"  when said, they come running for me.  It is also the first words I utter to the newly hatched before I settle them in.  Anyway, back to my favorite lil cockrel--he started going into the chain linked run a few days ago and since he can get through the links he is forever running off, feeling lost and screaming his head off.  I go find him, kneel, say "hey pretty boy", hold out my hand flat--he runs as fast as he can, jumps in my hand and I put him back in the coop with his buddies.  I know this lil guy knows I'm his safety net--I know it.

I love that story! And I believe you are correct about what he "thinks" about you!

 

[AmericanMom]

No matter what I do my chickens only care if I have treats, then they come running... I'm alittle on the hands off side of things, I do not handle or pick up or pet or love on my chickens...they are after all chickens... We have carried our broody hen in the last week more than we have held any of the chickens ever lol, and that's only because we opened up her cage to let her out (same time every day) and she got confused about how to get back.. There are nasty roosters out there, but my goodness, why worry about it. If the problem doesn't exist then don't create stress about it..
Now I will confess to just standing out there and watching them, they are funny creatures and its neat to watch how they interact with each other, we just allowed our 2 month old pullets free range time with the adults so we of course monitor them for a bit.. But like I said, unless I have something in my hand that they think is for them they have better things to do

 

[Tumbleweed Farm]

Quote: Thanks Subhanalah, I think so too.