Should I keep trying to pick up my 3 month old chicks?

[Ryooki]

None of my chicks seem to want me to pick them up anymore. When we first got them, I used to handle each on everyday. I used to have 2 in particular that used to love to be picked up. One of them, EE, jumped on me whenever I was around up until 6 weeks or so. Then she didn’t want to be picked up at first, but seemed happy enough with being pet. Another one wasn’t as active at trying to get up, but never wanted to get down once I had her on my hand. Their reactions to me trying to pick them up just kept getting worse so I quit trying. When I go get one, they don’t want to hang out and want to go free ranging around the backyard. They will all happily come when called for treats and prefer the treats in my hands to those on the ground. They wander around me, look at me, walk on my feet, and peck at my feet / clothes / hair occasionally. When I have my feet up, one of the not as friendly when a chick ones will hop on my shin, struggle for balance a little, and hop off again.

I’m sad that none of my chicks seem to enjoy my attention, just my company. Should I keep trying to pick them up? Is this the teenager stage? Is there hope for the future that they may enjoy being held again?

 

[SunriseChickers]

When my girls were chicks I used to hold them all the time. I don't much anymore because they run away from me. I don't mind this.

What you do depends on what you want. You could try giving them treats to attract them, then pick them up and give them another treat, maybe. It won't hurt to keep trying to pick them up. Maybe they are just busy exploring and the distractions are more enjoyable than you at the moment.

I think holding them more at this stage could help with further development in their attitude towards you in the future.

 

[Folly's place]

They are not kittens or puppies! And they are having a good time out there, which is good.
They come for goodies when you call, and will hang around nearby, all good.
Chickens are prey animals, and will be afraid of being swooped down on from above, and this is good too. Try offering a treat, and reaching under, not from above, and realize that every bird won't want cuddling!
Having birds jumping on and pecking you won't be cute for long! They should respect your space, and only come into it when invited! Especially cockerels, who need to be spending their time watching their flockmates, not going after you!!!
Mary

 

[SueT]

At 6 weeks, they really aren't chicks any more. They are going thru adolescence. Let them be. As hens, they will probably warm up to you again.

 

[MilesFluffybutt]

I think it's important for you to keep handling your chickens. It'll be less stressful for them (and you) should you need to handle them in the future, say for a medical emergency or a general health inspection.

Some chickens don't really like being picked up and maybe that's the case with your girls. With the exception of my house rooster, I don't think any of my roosters like being picked up, but I handled them a lot so when I do need to pick them up, they don't freak out. When I had hens, they'd climb all over me, hop up on my shoulder, sit in my lap, but it was their choice.

If you can, spend a lot of time with them on their level. Sit on the ground and feed them treats. And make sure you're using super special treats - ones they only get for spending time with you. Live meal worms work great for this. You want them to associate your hands with a reward.

 

[Ryooki]

If I wanted to work on making them comfortable with me picking them up, how would I manage that? I sit around them in the yard or our back deck, and they come up looking for treats. If I lean over to try to pick them up, they move a few steps away. Even when I sit in grass with them (dangerous given the poop), they are pretty agile at bounding away when I pick up one. I don’t want to chase them around or to scare them. I’ve had to pick them all up one by one to check them when one got sick. I cornered them in the run, and I worried they would be more scared of me after.

 

[Folly's place]

If possible, plan your exam and treatment times for night, with that flashlight, taking each bird off their roost. No chasing, everyone confined in the coop if there is minor chasing, and not related to daytime and treats.
If there's an emergency, a big long handled fish net from the sporting goods store is your friend!
Mary

 

[Three Little Bunnies]

I think it is probably the teenage stage. My girls all did this too. Now they are friendly!

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

My ungrateful misfits sees me more like Freddy Krueger than Mother Theresa now that they've become adults....... they used to follow me around like lost puppy dogs but not anymore. Unless you're constantly around them, they soon lose that imprint on you and rely more on their chicken siblings in terms of comfort and security. Sorta like how in junior high school when your BFF friend suddenly replaces you with a more popular girl because you have shown yourself to be more of a liability than anything on her way to being the 'IT' girl of her school. Sad, but it happens.

 

[shayhillman]

My chickens behaved the same way so now we spend quality time with them at bedtime. They let us pet them and they will occasionally roost on our arms.