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Polish Chicken Behavior / Personalities

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chickenducker

chickenducker

In the Brooder
Apr 16, 2015
15
0
22
We have 5 Polish chicks that are about 6 weeks old now. They seem to be kind of skiddish and freak out every time you reach for them. They run from you no matter what. Ever since we bought them from the feed store, we've played with them daily to raise them familiar with us, but it doesn't seem to have worked, and now they're making the other chicks freaked out when they run around like crazy. We're worried that they will stay this way and will start making our other chicks skiddish as well. Can anyone tell us their experiences with Polish chickens and if this is a personality trait or if it's something they might grow out of? We want them to blend well with our flock and our friendly rhodie egg layer once they're old enough... Thanks!
 
I'm not familiar with the Polish breed - did you get them from a hatchery or some private breeder? I'm assuming they were sold as day olds from a hatchery. In that case their very limited contact with humans has only been to be sorted and plopped into a shipping box. They may have been getting too much attention at their arrival. Hatching, shipping and a total change of environment are very stressful.

It would be best to dial back - short 'meet' sessions and slower pace. Just let the chicks out on the floor (like a small bathroom) and sit with them. Talk softly and don't make any sudden grabs to pick them up or catch them. Everything loves to eat chicken and they fret that every new experience can end permanently. Over time they will stop freaking out, and their curiosity will take over. If you appear to be reading a book, they may wander over to see what that is about. If you play soft music that may soothe them. If you start doling out small treats to them - you will take shape as a good guy instead of a predator.

If just one chick decides you pass muster, the others will follow. When one samples a treat, before long they all will rush you to get treats of their own. Welcome to Backyard chickens - you will enjoy your birds once they are relaxed and adjusted. Then you will be telling everyone about the cute things they do
 
welcome-byc.gif


Glad you joined!

I have never raised polish birds, but @Yorkshire coop has, she usually welcomes new members, so maybe she'll post soon and might be able to help you. You got some good advise from @drumstick diva too. I hope you birds improve soon!
 
Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

Like mymilliefleur said, the member @Yorkshire coop raises polish and I'm sure she can help you.

Drumstick diva has given you great advice as well.
 
Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided join our flock. Polish are a docile breed, but they do startle very easily (I think it's due to their vision being impaired by the crests). They also tend to get picked on (sometimes badly) by other standard sized breeds. We ended up having to put our Polish in a separate coop/run (along with our Silkies) from the rest of our flock. After being away for awhile from the birds that were picking on them, they really calmed down. Our Polish and Silkies got along fabulously. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Good luck with your Polish.
 
Hi :welcome

Glad you could join the flock! Polish certainly are a very unique breed. The crest limits their vision and at 6 weeks your chicks crests should have come on very well by now. Hands coming in from the top of them does easily spook them and can still easily do this with adult birds. Drumstick has given you great advice on getting in and just sitting with them. Constantly talking really does help once they get used to your voice they will realise who is approaching them. This is how I tame mine, I don't force anything on them they learn to come to me. I start by just putting my hands on the floor they soon have to investigate and come and stand on your hand. Chick crumb or meal worms really helps get them to your hand too. From there you can start stroking with the other hand from the front of the chick I find this easier because they then can see your hand approaching them and don't get as spooked. Some personality does come from breeding too, I found this with 2 lots of eggs I incubated from different breeders one group are super friendly the other not as friendly allthough you can still pick them up, but they are not as keen on lap sitting.
At 6 weeks you still have time to get them used to you. It really is just a matter of spending time with them.

Good luck and feel free to ask any questions you have. Enjoy BYC :frow
 
Thank you everyone for all your advice and the warm welcome I've received since joinging Backyard Chickens! After reading what all of you had to say, I went home last night and tested it out. Instead of just reaching down into the brooder as we have been doing, I used very slow movements and slooowly reached down into the box, and voila! no chaos! What do you know?! They were completely fine and even let me pet them and pick them up without trying to run off. I can't believe that's all it took, but I'm glad we learned this early and hopefully this means they will now trust us more and grow up to be calmer than we thought! Thanks again everyone!
 

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