Scared chickens

[Unobtanium]

When I bought my welsummers 26 days ago, I was told they were friendly, like dogs. They wre 26 days old, but they run from me, and if I enter the coop go to a far corner and pile up.

I've never hurt one by accident or even done anything unpleasant like spray it with mite spray or anything at all. Why are they so skittish? Will they warm up?

 

[HuskerHens18]

They will warm up to you mine were about 3 months old before they finally tamed down and let me hold and pet them. But not all chickens like to be handled, so keep that in mind.

 

[meetthebubus]

Little chicks can be very scared, you are a big "predator" coming from "above" which their instinct is to run and hide.

I suggest getting down low with them, and bring a little bit of enticing treats and they will soon remember how nice you are and you bring yummies and over time they will warm up to you

 

[JurassicChicken]

I agree with HuskerHens18, they will eventually warm up to you. They sound a little young to be very trusting yet. If you spend some time in the run with them (take a folding chair) let them see you bring in food and fresh water, they will eventually learn that you are trust worthy and will identify you as the bringer of good things. Just be patient with them. I also talked to my birds as they grew older, and now they come running when they hear my voice.

 

[MissChick@dee]

Sit quietly in a chair and sweet talk them. It takes time to build trust. 26 days old is very young. Chickens are very food driven. SO that’s why mine are so spoiled. Little monsters lol

 

[ChocolateMouse]

So these birds are 26 days old? They have a brooder location with a heat source... Right?

If they're 26 days old that means they are newborns and the person who told you they were friendly was trying to make a sale. They have no sense of being friendly - they have almost no sense of anything! They are tiny little 2oz balls of fluff and you are a monster the size of a mountain, crashing into their home.

You have to earn their trust slowly and carefully. Start by just sitting down outside the coop, hum or play radio or music softly so they get used to human sounds. You can read a book or whatever, just get them used to not panicking from voices. Then move from there. If you can, sit in the coop with them, very quietly, and just read a book or something for a few hours every day for a week. Then you can start to try to imitate a mother hen with your hands, down low at their level. Make cooing sounds and offer food or treats, tapping at it with your fingers like a hen might with her beak. Work with them slowly. No sudden movements or loud sounds. Eventually they will be climbing all over you. This may take time, though. Never come down on them from above.

Note that if you have any boys in the flock this is the WORST way to raise them. The chickens will eventually come to see you as gentle, harmless, food-bearing, even one of the flock. When the hormones hit, the roosters will see you as a threatening, bigger rooster that's too weak to defend their hens from younger boys. Generally the hens never grow into this, they will just happily peck at your toes and fingers and fly up into your lap for treats... But the boys can get aggressive this way.

Also, remember that chickens are not dogs or cats. They do not usually like "cuddles" or "petting" or being touched. Chilling with/on you is often the extent of their love.

Go slow, stay low, and you will see results.

 

[Unobtanium]

Little chicks can be very scared, you are a big "predator" coming from "above" which their instinct is to run and hide.

I suggest getting down low with them, and bring a little bit of enticing treats and they will soon remember how nice you are and you bring yummies and over time they will warm up to you

I always crouch when I approach them. What are 26 day old chicken acceptable yummies?

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Same thing as big chicken yummies, just in tiny pieces. Chopped mealworms, chick crumbles, small or chopped live worms, tiny crickets, scrambled eggs, etc. Never more that 10% of their diet in any given day.

Make sure the chicks have chick sized grit available to them so they can digest these goodies properly.

 

[redranger209]

So these birds are 26 days old? They have a brooder location with a heat source... Right?

If they're 26 days old that means they are newborns and the person who told you they were friendly was trying to make a sale. They have no sense of being friendly - they have almost no sense of anything! They are tiny little 2oz balls of fluff and you are a monster the size of a mountain, crashing into their home.

You have to earn their trust slowly and carefully. Start by just sitting down outside the coop, hum or play radio or music softly so they get used to human sounds. You can read a book or whatever, just get them used to not panicking from voices. Then move from there. If you can, sit in the coop with them, very quietly, and just read a book or something for a few hours every day for a week. Then you can start to try to imitate a mother hen with your hands, down low at their level. Make cooing sounds and offer food or treats, tapping at it with your fingers like a hen might with her beak. Work with them slowly. No sudden movements or loud sounds. Eventually they will be climbing all over you. This may take time, though. Never come down on them from above.

Note that if you have any boys in the flock this is the WORST way to raise them. The chickens will eventually come to see you as gentle, harmless, food-bearing, even one of the flock. When the hormones hit, the roosters will see you as a threatening, bigger rooster that's too weak to defend their hens from younger boys. Generally the hens never grow into this, they will just happily peck at your toes and fingers and fly up into your lap for treats... But the boys can get aggressive this way.

Also, remember that chickens are not dogs or cats. They do not usually like "cuddles" or "petting" or being touched. Chilling with/on you is often the extent of their love.

Go slow, stay low, and you will see results.

My birds love it when I stroke them on the soft spot under their beak, the chicks sometimes fall asleep and the adults make a trilling noise.

 

[Unobtanium]

So these birds are 26 days old? They have a brooder location with a heat source... Right?

If they're 26 days old that means they are newborns and the person who told you they were friendly was trying to make a sale. They have no sense of being friendly - they have almost no sense of anything! They are tiny little 2oz balls of fluff and you are a monster the size of a mountain, crashing into their home.

You have to earn their trust slowly and carefully. Start by just sitting down outside the coop, hum or play radio or music softly so they get used to human sounds. You can read a book or whatever, just get them used to not panicking from voices. Then move from there. If you can, sit in the coop with them, very quietly, and just read a book or something for a few hours every day for a week. Then you can start to try to imitate a mother hen with your hands, down low at their level. Make cooing sounds and offer food or treats, tapping at it with your fingers like a hen might with her beak. Work with them slowly. No sudden movements or loud sounds. Eventually they will be climbing all over you. This may take time, though. Never come down on them from above.

Note that if you have any boys in the flock this is the WORST way to raise them. The chickens will eventually come to see you as gentle, harmless, food-bearing, even one of the flock. When the hormones hit, the roosters will see you as a threatening, bigger rooster that's too weak to defend their hens from younger boys. Generally the hens never grow into this, they will just happily peck at your toes and fingers and fly up into your lap for treats... But the boys can get aggressive this way.

Also, remember that chickens are not dogs or cats. They do not usually like "cuddles" or "petting" or being touched. Chilling with/on you is often the extent of their love.

Go slow, stay low, and you will see results.

Its 70+ degrees even at night. They have a covered area, but seem to be thriving without any lamps etc.

Can I put the rooster in his place later?I have 1 to my 10 hens.