Socializing (intimacy) with chickens -- how to?

[amiachicknorwat]

A local chick/hen tender friend says she cuddles her chicks and hens. She's been at it a while, while i'm new (almost 2 months) to this whole complex busyness. Only one of my hens will let me pet her, and only very briefly, while the rest and chicks will back off or peck my hand if I get too close. I'm good to them generally and maybe it just takes time to build trust. I'm also trying not to move brusquely (abruptly) around them. Still, maybe I'm just too busy, so intimidating, in the coop and run and not calm gentle enough to get intimate. Or might it be something else? Thanks, Nick

 

[Michael OShay]

The way to any chicken's heart is through it's stomach. There is a good article at http://www.mypetchicken.com/backyar...-run-away-whenever-they-see-me-Can-I-H57.aspx on how to tame your chickens.

 

[drumstick diva]

Michael has given you a good link. Food can win them over - some birds just naturally do not want to be held but, can be friendly in other way, like sitting on your shoulder .

If you overdo the treat part, they may stop eating their nutritionally sound chicken feed - which is not good. Think of kids preferring candy to a typical home cooked meal.

Candy, cookies, fudge, ice cream will always win out if given free rein.

 

[amiachicknorwat]

Just had a cookie, tho it is a while after dinner. I dont know what you'd consider a treat for a chicken? This is an example of what I've given my birds as a treat (they go stir crazy over them) http://www.prairieberries.com/nutrition.php which I believe rather rounds out their diet, rather than detracts as your analogous list implies. I find the birds to be voracious, so my "treats" just help me feel I'm keeping up with their needs.

I am curious what sort of things people here consider as chicken feed equivalent of "candy, cookies, fudge & ice cream"?

Big Thanks, Nick

 

[prostar]

My girls go gaga for grapes. Watermelon (especially young watermelon that JUST STARTED GROWING IN MY GARDEN...), corn cobs, figs, kinda you name it they love it.

And of course chicken crack (scratch) but I don't give that to the nuggets (if they're still in the brooder they'll just get the fruity treats...and some chick grit or dirt)

 

[HenPecked63]

Mine were cuddly as chicks and then not until they started squatting and laying, some are more cuddly than others for sure... Read somewhere it's because they think I'm they're "Roo" or the "alpha" chicken... I have 2 turkeys that are 5 months old ... One of them is very snugly and leans against me until I pet her and then she squats and lays on my feet... It melts my

As far as treats my chickens and turkeys get kitchen scraps... Their favorites include leftover cooked butternut squash, sweet potatoes, sweet bell peppers, tomatoes, grapes, watermelon, and leftover cooked oatmeal... Just to name few

 

[cluckcluckgirl]

I've just held my chickens a lot and since then have only had a couple chickens who refuse to come near me. It does help when they can connect you to "the person who gives some goodies".

 

[amiachicknorwat]

I'm their main goodie giver, but have only held them to move them back over fence or whatever. Otherwise only a few of the 18 allow me to pet them. I try to be gentle, but sometimes I'm busy and may be a bit abrupt in my movements around them. Will try harder -- or softer -- to commune

 

[aart]

This part of the link above stood out to me as very good advice:

"Keep in mind that chickens do not usually like the same kind of handling a dog or a cat might like, although there are plenty of very tame chickens out there. (I have one who likes to ride around on my shoulder, and who adores belly rubs.) In addition, the breed of chicken (and even the personality of the individual chicken) will have a lot to do with whether or not they will be friendly to you. "

Most important is handling them A LOT when they are young chicks.
You'll have to 'force' them as most won't care for it at all, but just keep grabbing them and holding them until they calm, then put them back down.
I had 2 chicks that screamed bloody hell when handled as chicks, they never calmed to it, but when they got older they would run up to me and want to be picked up...
...but then they kinda grew back out of that too. Which was fine with me...I've got a dog for cuddles.

Wonders @amiachicknorwat have you ever observed said 'cuddling' of your chick/hen tender friend?

 

[amiachicknorwat]

Well, I've held them when transfering them, but that's hardly cuddling, tho I did handle them gently. Otherwise I just pet them, periodically. Will try communing deeper when I get home. Roadtrippin Nick

PS after edit No, I dont think I've ever observed my chicks or hens being cuddled. ...my partner just confirmed, as well as she can, only held when moving them. It's not that we dont love them, just from afar so far