petting chicks

[CStulceSmith]

Chickadee out in the garden this morning. Looove this chicken! No pink in comb yet...4wks hoping its a girl!

 

[deejeff442]

awesome.i think we all hope they are all girls when we get them.

 

[Mkovach]

That's one of my favorite things about my girls, giving them some hugs and pets and getting love back!

 

[azygous]

Oh boy! Putting them in the coop with the bigger chickens is the most challenging thing you'll ever have to do with chicks. It's not easy!

The best way to do it is to put the youngsters in the coop as early in the day as possible after the hens have finished laying. This will get the chicks familiar with their new home without being bothered by the older ones. This is very important - don't let the big girls in until the very last minute before it gets dark! This way, they'll be anxious to get roosted and there won't be time for them to think about messing with the youngsters.

The big girls will chase the chicks out in the morning, and they'll make a bee-line for their safe pen. But the biggest challenge comes at dusk when you'll have to coax the youngsters in to the coop. It's hard. You may need to pick them up and put them through the pop hole. Try to reserve one end of the perch for them. I will sometimes hang a curtain or place some other barrier on the perch to separate them from the older ones so they don't get knocked off.

There may be a need for you to supervise and referee roosting for the next few weeks until everyone settles in. The fastest I've had chicks merge with older hens was one day. The longest was a month. Some chicks have a lot of self confidence and settle in fast. Others are very timid and afraid of the adult chickens and need a lot of help.

It's a labor of love.

 

[Elena2424]

I'm gonna be getting 13 chickens tomorrow, what is the best way of petting them and how to evenly distribute ma luv, and what are the best ways for them to love the crap out of you

 

[azygous]

I'm gonna be getting 13 chickens tomorrow, what is the best way of petting them and how to evenly distribute ma luv, and what are the best ways for them to love the crap out of you

How old? Day olds? Adults?

Read the tips on side-access brooders in this thread and you'll have a real good head start on their trust and affection.

Later on, when they are mature adults you can do "group hugs". I think my maximum in one of these hug-fests was nine hens, and the rooster loves to get in on them, also. What I do is kneel on the ground and bring in the closest hen for a hug. This signals to the others they're about to miss out on something unless they crowd in and get some. They quickly become addicted, and now all I need to do is be down raking poop from under the coop and everyone will crowd in demanding hugs. I've gotten pretty adept at raking poop from under the coop while two hens are snuggled between my knees.

 

[eyotig25]

Too cute !

 

[CHICKENFARMER22]

Hey There it should be fine with you petting it i had 14 chicks this year and we spent a lot of time handling them they loved it!!!!! I hoped i helped you out!!!! Have fun with that cut little chick!!

 

[Tuhmu]

How old? Day olds? Adults? Read the tips on side-access brooders in this thread and you'll have a real good head start on their trust and affection. Later on, when they are mature adults you can do "group hugs". I think my maximum in one of these hug-fests was nine hens, and the rooster loves to get in on them, also. What I do is kneel on the ground and bring in the closest hen for a hug. This signals to the others they're about to miss out on something unless they crowd in and get some. They quickly become addicted, and now all I need to do is be down raking poop from under the coop and everyone will crowd in demanding hugs. I've gotten pretty adept at raking poop from under the coop while two hens are snuggled between my knees.[COLOR=005CB1] [/COLOR]

I love this photo lol, it's just great.

 

[Elena2424]

They will be just a few days old
My order got pushed till today or tomorrow