I got a mix of different breeds from welp, RIR's , Red Sexlinks, white rocks and buff orphingtons... all my other breeds are very friendly, they come to me wanting to be petted, they fly strait towards me when they see me all except the RIR, they are like little wild scary creatures ... I don't understand it, I thought they were supposed to be a friendly breed!
Have you tried picking them up & carrying them around with you, talking to them as you pet them? Sit with them in your lap for a bit while petting them, etc? I start out all of my chicks that way.
I really think the friendliness can depend on the breeder. I bought a few silkies from a hatchery, and those little chicks were the most scared little things I ever owned. No matter how much I talked with them and tried to socialize them, they always seemed terrified of me. Now, from the same hatchery, I've bought several other breeds that were just as friendly as can be. Occasionally, I know it's my fault that some of my chickens aren't that friendly, because I might have not had as much time to spend with them as chicks. Life can sure get busy! Have your RIR started laying yet? Usually my pullets become more friendly once they start "squatting", and are about ready to lay. So I know how you feel....Sometimes that just happens.
My reds only want to be near me when I squat down while I'm wearing jeans, I guess the little rivets hypnotize them into pecking my butt. Who knows... All things have their own ways.
@ Tigerlilly... I used to pick them up all the time, they would come to me before we put them in the coop.. now nothing they see me coming and go the other way, I would feel funny if it was just 1 acting like that but it is all of them ( RIR ) it's like they don't like people... just strange, I see on here alot of people say there birds are very friendly.. @ Chickmom, no they haven't started laying yet, they are just over a month old ... can't wait for them to start laying eggs tho ... yummmm they are just off to me, all the other birds are great, but these RIR are very scary lil creatures, they seem to get along with all the other birds sooo i guess that a good thing
I ordered rir & silver laced from the same hatchery. Rir chicks loved me from the start. The SLW were crazy! They would knock over the water tear everything up in their beds. The rir were better from day one in time I got rid of the SLW since they were so crazy wild and never calmed down. I blame it on the breeding stock. That is just my opinion though.
Maybe your right, I feel kinda sad tho, I would rather them be friendly so I could pet them, I would rather that they trust me
I think it depends on the line. Some are predisposed to be flighty and some are predisposed to be friendly. I've not seen a chicken yet that won't overcome its fear or wildness for food. Shredded cheese has tamed many of my beasts. Good luck.
Some birds just have different personalities; for example my Australorp has to be the one in a million who's a fighter Likewise, RIRs can be flighty (they are also known for being aggressive)...
