Question about raising.

[Thechickentrainer1999]

Does anyone have any experience with training 18 week old chickens or about that age? How hard is it to train them once they get that old? I've trained 9 of my chickens but I started them when they were at the oldest of 4 weeks. I'm thinking of getting two 18 week olds soon but would like to know how difficult it is to train them to listen and to not be afraid of me.

 

[Fishkeeper]

What do you want to train them to do?
Chickens are 100% trainable at any age. Yours will just need some time to adjust and get used to you. Move slowly and be quiet around them until they decide you aren't a threat.

 

[nchls school]

I brought in the house 2 of my 4 month old serama cockerels this morning (not handled previously) to tame. One o'clock and both will sit on my arm/hand calmly. I agree with Fishkeeper, but some breeds are harder to work with. Others are easier; serama are easy. My silkies are also easy. My Polish are difficult.

I tame my birds to make it easier to handle and to sell.

 

[Grits&Eggs]

Mine are very friendly and "tame" but it took a while and lots of patience. I spend time weekly in the run doing stuff (fixing the feeder, hanging toys) and interacting. They come when I call, thanks to mealworms, lol. It may take a bit but sounds like you have experience! Good luck!

 

[Thechickentrainer1999]

These I'm looking at are 18 week old red sex links.

 

[Grits&Eggs]

I am not familiar with the breed, but guessing that patience and persistence will allow you to tame them even at 18 weeks.