Scared chickens

[meetthebubus]

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

I find babies don't like Mealworms until they lay eggs.. tiny pieces of the fluff from inside a roll is loved make sure they are tiny, and sometimes wet their crumble and that will be a great for them too.

As far as heat goes go with what you think, seems to me they are fine if they've been outside already besides its warm

 

[Wyorp Rock]

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?

It can take time to tame them.
Don't try to force them to like you. Take a chair and sit in the run. Ignore them and read a book out loud. Scatter a small amount of treats near you. Everyday, put the treats a little closer to you - if they want to explore your shoes, pants legs, etc. let them. A little patience and they will be eating out of your hand. You will likely have a couple that want to sit on your knee or the chair with you. Gently touch their side (wing), breast or under the chin. Don't touch the backs at this time.

Not all birds like to be held, petted or touched - that's o.k. too. Each one will be a bit different. Patience, patience and treats

 

[PachecoPeeps]

Pullets also tend to get friendlier the closer they are too laying. I’ve also noticed that when I have had bigger groups of chicks it tends to take longer for them to be friendly with me. This spring we raised a group of 17 chicks and they weren’t that friendly until about 12 weeks. On the other hand we have 2 welsummers that we raised ended up picking up 3 weeks later and they were more attached to us at a much younger age

Just give it time, speak to them when you are with them and don’t make any sudden movements. Also don’t get offended if they don’t all follow you everywhere or run to see you. Even chickens can be too cool and some just won’t warm up to you.

Good luck with your babies!

 

[meetthebubus]

Pullets also tend to get friendlier the closer they are too laying. I’ve also noticed that when I have had bigger groups of chicks it tends to take longer for them to be friendly with me. This spring we raised a group of 17 chicks and they weren’t that friendly until about 12 weeks. On the other hand we have 2 welsummers that we raised ended up picking up 3 weeks later and they were more attached to us at a much younger age

Just give it time, speak to them when you are with them and don’t make any sudden movements. Also don’t get offended if they don’t all follow you everywhere or run to see you. Even chickens can be too cool and some just won’t warm up to you.

Good luck with your babies!

I had the opposite experience that they start to get unfriendly as they lay, but I'm sure it's different for everyone i just think we all find out different experiences for everyone, its interesting for me

which seems to be everyone's main point that chickens have a wide spectrum of personalities and they can change so This is just the beginning you'll love em!

 

[Shezadandy]

This might sound a little out there- on days you have time- and you'll be home-- take whatever big feeder they've got in the coop and run -- and you bring them their food out in smaller increments, say every hour and a half or so.

Have them make the connection that the food doesn't magically show up in their feeder- that YOU are the provider of the food. A hungry chicken is a friendlier chicken.

Obviously leave the water in there- but maybe select a special dish for the super special water - something large and shallow - that only gets poured fresh when YOU show up.

Chickens tend to get excited over whatever is new- so food becomes something you bring- First, leave it at a comfortable distance, turn your back, squat down- totally non-threatening. As others have said talk to them in a gentle voice while all of this is happening.

Then come back a little while later with a little more food. The object is to provide something they want- and to have them look to you for it.

You show up- and they get to eat. And they want to eat, because they're ready for the next feeding.

I would avoid reaching in on them- it's a trust thing. They have to trust that they can get close and that you will not try to touch them.

Again- this is an exercise for when you're home and have a few minutes every couple of hours. Chickens should never be without water. Do replace the feeder at the end of the day to ensure they absolutely have their fill before bed and can eat first thing in the morning.

Once they figure that part out- food and water comes from you. Also have noticed that most of mine got friendlier the closer they got to laying.

 

[PouleChick]

I was told they were friendly, like dogs

Maybe he meant the breed in general is like that?

I would not raise chicks without a heat source unless night time temps were 85. I'm glad that yours are still alive.

Here in France they are much less full on about the brooder / temps etc - I bought mine in in winter at 5 weeks (the coop was in an inside room but still pretty cold) and they were fine without heat, they snuggled together at night but that was all they seemed to need (I was very vigilant about making sure they were warm enough). I also noticed that when I let my first hatch out with thier mama in the spring it was still pretty cool and they rarely went under her all day so I'm a bit on the fence about how long and hot the 'recommended' temps are in a backyard setting.

State poultry lab said put them out st 10 days

That is interesting - I'd be a bit worried at only 10 days but again if they are in a group they provide thier own warmth as well as long as they are well sheltered.

Don't touch the backs at this time.

I'm also trying to get my 3 batches of chicks (2 months to 2 weeks) to like me - some I can't get near at all but I didn't know about this - what is the reason?

This spring we raised a group of 17 chicks and they weren’t that friendly until about 12 weeks

That gives me hope!!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

@PouleChick you ask why not to touch their back at this time. Chickens have a prey instinct and reaching from above, touching the back I have found is what they don't like (at least mine don't in the beginning). Imagine "talons" (your fingers) coming from above - they may feel trapped or unsettled like they can't get away.
If you start by touching them underneath or on their sides/wings they have the option to freely back away or move to the side. As they become more comfortable with you, you can handle them more - then you can touch the back.

I rarely touch my chickens unless they are on a perch/roost or I have the benefit of having a table in my grow out pen. Chicks love to hang out on the table (adults too). This is where most of my handling/touching/petting is done. They are up and off the ground and I'm not leaning over them - they have a choice of jumping up on the table for attention or not. I usually just stand at the table and they will come - they fly up and walk into my hands, some lean against my body, others just want to be near - each one is different.

 

[Shezadandy]

When they're really little, I like to use my hands as if they were the hen covering them up. One group was so distraught when I picked them up from the feed store that I finally opened the box (long drive), put my hand in, and covered them with it lightly. Instinct told them to go under that hand and they spent the whole drive cuddling and poking their heads through my fingers and put their backs against my hand - and no more peeps of distress. Those chicks were for a broody and that first day of handling made a big difference.

Another group from the mail- the hen decided she wasn't broody any more so I got to raise them. Same thing, lots of huddling under the hands (also used the MHP) - they always had food and water, but it was a big-to-do when the fresh food and fresh water showed up, like a birthday party every couple hours. Another hen adopted them when they were 11 days old (got really lucky) - and the whole time she had them they always mobbed me when I showed up. So the hands simulating the underside of the hen works - but you have to start young.

 

[Unobtanium]

Maybe he meant the breed in general is like that?

Here in France they are much less full on about the brooder / temps etc - I bought mine in in winter at 5 weeks (the coop was in an inside room but still pretty cold) and they were fine without heat, they snuggled together at night but that was all they seemed to need (I was very vigilant about making sure they were warm enough). I also noticed that when I let my first hatch out with thier mama in the spring it was still pretty cool and they rarely went under her all day so I'm a bit on the fence about how long and hot the 'recommended' temps are in a backyard setting.

That is interesting - I'd be a bit worried at only 10 days but again if they are in a group they provide thier own warmth as well as long as they are well sheltered.

I'm also trying to get my 3 batches of chicks (2 months to 2 weeks) to like me - some I can't get near at all but I didn't know about this - what is the reason?

That gives me hope!!

Yes, it was meant as a breed, not "these particular animals".
Mine grouped up and weathered the 70*F temps fine. There are 11 of them.


I have bought some meal worms, and they LOVE those. Tonight I am introducing them to "roosting". They are exactly 1 month of age, and I placed them all on the roost bar inside the coop at around 0100hrs this morning, and just got back from checking on them a few hours later. They are all hunched down on their roost bar looking quite satisfied. I hope they do this themselves in the future. I will see.

 

[Unobtanium]

When they're really little, I like to use my hands as if they were the hen covering them up. One group was so distraught when I picked them up from the feed store that I finally opened the box (long drive), put my hand in, and covered them with it lightly. Instinct told them to go under that hand and they spent the whole drive cuddling and poking their heads through my fingers and put their backs against my hand - and no more peeps of distress. Those chicks were for a broody and that first day of handling made a big difference.

Another group from the mail- the hen decided she wasn't broody any more so I got to raise them. Same thing, lots of huddling under the hands (also used the MHP) - they always had food and water, but it was a big-to-do when the fresh food and fresh water showed up, like a birthday party every couple hours. Another hen adopted them when they were 11 days old (got really lucky) - and the whole time she had them they always mobbed me when I showed up. So the hands simulating the underside of the hen works - but you have to start young.

Thanks! I wish I'd known. Now I do. Thank-you.