Socializing Pullets (9Wks)

[Tjack101]

I bought 4 pullets last week and they were 8 weeks old. They hadnt had any human interaction and were just one of hundreds at a chicken farm. I am wondering when(if at all) they will eventually like me and want to be around me. They run away anytime I even get within sight of them right now. Are they too old to learn to love me? Will it come with time? Food wont work because they wont get close enough to take food from me. I have to just leave it in their run. They dont run from the dogs that want to eat them, but me, I am super scary! Any idea to help this along or do I just need to be patient, or will it just never happen because they are too old?

TIA!
Tara

 

[bjd105]

Hmm, it may depend on what breed. I had Brown's that I tamed. They were given to me by my ex as hatchlings and then we split n he kept them until it was warm enough. What I did to tame mine was cooping them over night, ration feeding in the A.M. and then hand feeding in the afternoon when I got home fromwork before letting them out to free range. I have find that the browns are alot like children. If u tower over them they are intimidated. I always sat on the ground to hand feed and within four to five days they were comfortable comfortable with hand feeding and in fact after about three weeks they would meet me at the car when I would get home. They continually see me as there source of food and won't eat from a trough unless I hand feed them first! They jump up to see what's in my hands anytime I'm carrying something now! I don't know what breed your trying to tame, but good luck.

 

[Sarevan]

Be patient let them get used to you. Let them get a bit hungry to know you are the source. I started using a dog training clicker on my chicks 5 weeks old to let them know food & me is coming. They have started this teen thing where they now run from me, can't go far as in a dog crate. My other hens got over this as they got older. Take your time, they should respond to you when ready. Good luck!

 

[newmarch2014]

Mine are much younger babies but getting down to their level helps a lot and putting an interesting treat near you (if they have not had access to grit yet a chick stick is great) that will catch their attention and let them get nearer to you with no scary consequences is great. Mine were pretty skittish when we got them but now that they have had pieces of the chick stick out of my hand that I held very very still for awhile they now come running and one brave one even jumps up in my hand when I put it in the pen now. This started by me hanging the chick stick for them for a bit where they could learn they like it. Now it is removed and I just take a piece a day in my hand and give it to them while I am handling them each day since I want mine to be very easy to pick up in the future,

 

[Tjack101]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I have a Black Australorp, Red Sex link and two Easter Eggers(sold as a Blue Wheaten Ameraucana and a Brown Ameraucana). I know they are most like not and are just Easter Eggers though but I am happy with that. The "top hen" is turning out the be the black Australorp which is really weird as she is supposed be be the most docile breed. Also, do chicks always do things as a group? Whatever one does, they all do. So funny to watch.

 

[bjd105]

Hey Tjack,
just curious, any luck with taming your brood? Here's to hoping so! I have a new group of eight week old pullets and they are pulling that teenage attitude that yours seemed to have had as well.

 

[Tjack101]

No change in them really. They will come "close" to me when I have treat but not too close. Only come close when I am sitting down throwing out food. Other than that, they RUN!

 

[RankinFlock]

Thanks for this! I've gotten a new flock of four about a week ago. They are still nervous, but will get close when I'm on the ground. Had one test out some treats from my hand today! Will keep trying as I want them comfortable with handling. Makes it easy when I need to check them out closely, I like using vanilla on their heads to keep the bugs off. Hope things went well for you since this is an old thread!