skittish chicks..

[missy1971]

I have 2 buffs that are 9 weeks and very skittish, will not really let us get near them, they sometimes let us pick them up if they are on their table and i guess not threatened. the 5 week olds, are the same way, and we have socialized them, and the 3 week olds, im trying to handle them and such as much as i can. Is there anything that i can do to try and reverse this? Make them more sociable...???

 

[Blooie]

When they are on their table, they are closer to eye level with you. They aren't being approached from above by big monsters coming at them from over their heads. This is all a big, new, scary, world and they have lot to learn in a short amount of time. Being an "overhead predator", which they are pre-programmed to avoid in any way possible, doesn't do much to inspire confidence.

Relax, treats at eye level whenever possible, slow easy movements, and often just sitting tight and letting them come to you will work wonders.

 

[lutherpug]

Age helps too. I noticed it with my first group-they all became much calmer once they got closer to maturity/egg laying age. I have a group of almost 16 week olds now and I almost gave the SLW away several times as she was acting completely neurotic every time anyone even thought about handling her. She would shriek and run away and then just scream bloody murder when you finally caught her until you put her back down. 6-8 weeks later she is the most confident of my little group. Yesterday she decided to would be alright to come check out what I was doing in the yard. So, they change a little with age too.

None of mine are super cuddly per se but they all know who feeds them and lets them out of the coop

 

[CascadiaRiver]

Food treats!

 

[missy1971]

Food treats!

Like what...i give them yogurt, but i end up having to put it on the table or the ground...

 

[Louise Waffles]

Food is best! I do food treats, by hand. They got braver and braver, and would eventually come to take treats out of my hand. Some will never be snuggle bugs, but some will. My Buff Orp was timid at first, but now she follows me everywhere. It just takes time. And food treats.
If you have to put it on the ground, station yourself nearby, and put it a little closer to you each time. Good luck, and have fun!

 

[CascadiaRiver]

The like a lot of human food like rice, noodles, meats and greens like lettuce and similar. They also love scratch mix (corn, wheat, etc) and also corn on the cob! We throw out a lot of our leftovers for the birds, they also like scrambled eggs!

 

[DeYoungs]

they love worms!

 

[CascadiaRiver]

they love worms!

Mealworms too!

 

[DeYoungs]

Mealworms too!