Should I raise chicks alone to make them more friendly?

[Tumbleweedlynn]

What I have found in my latest go round in raising chickens, is that I hatched chicks that bonded in the beginning and remained bonded, almost a year later, in a flock of 15.

On the flip side, some of the most skittish chicks in that flock have now come full circle and are extremely friendly and trusting now.

I think just letting it play out would be the best of both worlds for everyone involved. I think my skittish chickens realized I was no threat, and actually was an ally, but I could be wrong. Just my experience

 

[yakitori]

i like the perfect mix of trusting and alert. Mine has a very short free range window during the day, during which I would like them to be well equipped to stay alert for predators.
what is your definition for friendly? the only truly cuddly hen I had was only cuddly because she was always bullied but the other hens after she lost her only broodmate. She bonded with me because she saw me as a safe space.

In no way would I consider her friendly. Traumatized maybe, but not really friendly. lol

 

[Poultrybonkers]

Make your brooder waist high as grabbing them from above tends to scare them or get friendly breeds. I handle my chicks daily and they are friendly like this baby girl she was raised with 9 others which are also friendly

 

[Florida Bullfrog]

I think it would make them more aggressive.

 

[3KillerBs]

Yes it's cruel. Chickens are social creatures and should have the company of other chickens.

This.

 

[Brittbee]

Personally, all my chickens are friendly and are handled daily. I also had them in a large kennel for a broader in my room next to my bed (there were 6 in the first batch and 3 in the second) which I think helped. I never took them out for one-on-one time, just made just to handle them, pick them up then pet them until they calm. After they get their favorite treats, tomatoes. Just like all animals, it's the time you put in to gaining g their trust.

Now, my chickens see me as the top hen, follow me around, but I spend at least 30 minutes out there with them, petting them, giving treats, and just being present while they are walking around.

This method also worked on older Hans that I adopted from a rescue. They would not come near people but because of the effort and patience they would only come up to me.

Don't feel like you have to separate them to bond, just be more consistent presence over them and work to gain their trust. Just my two cents.

 

[BunnyChickenMomma]

We have four Buff Orpington chicks and they are super friendly. We didn't take them out for one-on-one time, as being separated really stresses them out. We just spent time with them all each day, petted them, fed them from our hands, and let them use us as a jungle gym. We hold our arms out and they jump up to roost and now jump in our laps to cuddle. They follow us around and love being petted. I've heard Buff Orpingtons are one of he friendliest breeds, so maybe that is a big reason our girls are so sociable? Maybe try a few of Buff Orpingtons next time you get chicks? They are so sweet!

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Read this article. It's so good. It talks about what makes chicks afraid of humans and how to turn that around. Excellent pics and experience. IMO it's a much better concept than the idea of raising them in flocks of 1 or 2 without changing the things that make them afraid. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...and-start-raising-your-chicks-outdoors.71995/