I'd like to "imprint" myself on them, but they're all (22 of them) afraid whenever i come near them. Should I let them be, or corner them and force them to let me handle them?
Good question!! I have babies about the same age and they do the same thing... But they love it when you hang your hand in there and tap the feeder... they swarm in and peck along with us like we're momma hens!
Just sit quietly by them. I have a stool that is the same height as the edge of the brooder and I sit there for long periods of time just talking to them very quietly. After awhile they realize that you're not some big bad predator that's gonna eat them. At 6 weeks some of mine (mainly my buff brahmas) are still standoffish, but none of them panic because of my presence anymore. Most of mine now eagerly jump in my lap as soon as I sit down there. They know that my lap is where the treats come from.
