please help i feel like im doing this all wrong

Sit still and let them come to you. Talk to them without trying to make contact so they get to know your voice. When you let them out in the yard, just sit there in a lawn chair. They will probably get comfortable enough to check you out. Without hands they explore by pecking. They peck everything the same way babies put everything in their mouths.

BTW, I think petting can actually be a little scare for them.

 

Quote:I agree.....and treats......you can never go wrong with treats!!!!!

 

I have 4 sex-links that I got when they were 4 weeks old. I went into their run every night after work and held them and walked around with them. 1 hated being held.
We have 6 RIR's that we got as day old,( they are 11 weeks old now) and I held them every day, and took care of them as you do yours. There's only 1 that will let me touch her without running too far. We have 5 others that we got at approx 5 weeks old, and they won't let me touch them. But they will come close when I have food.
You aren't doing anything wrong. Every chicken is different. I'd say keep offering treats, make them come and get it. Just sit quielty around them- eventually they get curious and come close.

 

I'm on my 2nd batch of chicks and still learning. On the 1st
ones, I hand fed them and held them and they still weren't tame enough. With the 2nd batch, I let them out of the cage
in the yard, sit & drink my coffee & feed them from my hand, not a feeder. I also give them MEALWORMS!! They are 2wks to 8wks old & eat starter crumbles & grass everyday. The mealworms are strictly a treat, but they LOOOOVE them & come running over to me any time I put my hand out. A couple even fly up into my lap. I will say though, 1 black cochin, possibly a roo, still won't come over to me even for treats!!
Lashawn
Bartlesville, OK
PS you can get mealworms at a pet store or online, look up how to raise your own, it is super-duper easy & you'll have some eager friendly chics.

 

I was having the same problem with mine and as a matter of fact, I still am. They take to my four year old like magic though. At first I thought it was because he was smaller and less threatning. Then I saw him catching crickets and tossing them in the run. I guess it's the treats working then. Even the young guineas will get fairly close to him now.