Taming Chicks

[LateBirdFarms]

I'm not sure about chicks never wanting to be held.. I have a few who cry for one on one time, which usually equals out to a few mealworms, a chase around the desk like someone might steal said meal worms, and then stepping back into my hand to pass out and go to sleep against chest under a cupped palm. There has been one or two chicks of mine who never enjoyed contact, but for the most part everyone of them step up onto my hand to come out of the brooder. It takes time. if there's a lot of commotion around, they're understandably nervous. I hand feed mine, but I've never had any problems result of it, the exact opposite actually. Feeding them from my hand has given them the reassurance that "THE CLAW" really isn't there to eat or do them harm. I started with scrambled egg, something they really liked but didn't go insane over like the mealworms, and a few brave little souls would lead the way for the others. I have a habit clucking my tongue while I gently hold them and it seems to sooth them, admittedly its easier to start with chicks a few days old who automatically pass out the moment you cover their backs with your hand than it is with chicks that are nearing a month that want to flap and explore and not sit still. Patience and calmness are the best tools for gentling.

What breeds do you have? Some breeds are a heck of a lot flightier than others

 

[K0k0shka]

What’s your brooder setup? A lot of brooders are bins or boxes that are open on top, and placed on the floor. And people reach down from the top to pick the chicks up. This is not a good setup for the chicks. They have an innate fear of things coming to get them from above - hawks and such. By looming over them and reaching down from the top, you trigger that fear, and their automatic response is to scream and run away. This can be reinforced and become their learned reaction to you in general. It’s worse if your brooder has opaque walls, too. That way they can’t actually see you, even if you spend lots of time in the same room. All they see is the looming shadow overhead, reaching down to get them. This might be contributing to their resistance to being held, even if they might have been okay with it under other circumstances.

A better setup would be one where there’s an access opening on the front, and the brooder is elevated, like on a table or shelf, and you reach in at their level. Mesh or clear walls so they can see out at their level.

Here’s my brooder. Up on a table with mesh on the front, one side, and the top. The front opens. The chicks can see out and interact with us at eye level.


We handled them extensively since they hatched (I don’t believe in the “don’t touch young chicks” thing.. They imprint early and the first days are important for socialization, especially if you want pet chickens that are pettable).

They are 3 weeks old now and very friendly. Not all enjoy handling to the same degree. Some complain when picked up but are happy to perch on our arms and walk on us. None have ever freaked out when somebody approached or reached into the brooder though. On the contrary. Because they can see us well before we approach, they are never startled (the way chicks in an opaque bin would be) and come running to greet us when we come close.

 

[GuskHomestead]

I'm not sure about chicks never wanting to be held.. I have a few who cry for one on one time, which usually equals out to a few mealworms, a chase around the desk like someone might steal said meal worms, and then stepping back into my hand to pass out and go to sleep against chest under a cupped palm. There has been one or two chicks of mine who never enjoyed contact, but for the most part everyone of them step up onto my hand to come out of the brooder. It takes time. if there's a lot of commotion around, they're understandably nervous. I hand feed mine, but I've never had any problems result of it, the exact opposite actually. Feeding them from my hand has given them the reassurance that "THE CLAW" really isn't there to eat or do them harm. I started with scrambled egg, something they really liked but didn't go insane over like the mealworms, and a few brave little souls would lead the way for the others. I have a habit clucking my tongue while I gently hold them and it seems to sooth them, admittedly its easier to start with chicks a few days old who automatically pass out the moment you cover their backs with your hand than it is with chicks that are nearing a month that want to flap and explore and not sit still. Patience and calmness are the best tools for gentling.

What breeds do you have? Some breeds are a heck of a lot flightier than others

So far I have Speckled Sussex, Golden Sex-Link, Sapphire Gems, both Laced Seabrights, Road Island, and a possible frizzle silkie and Cochin.

 

[GuskHomestead]

What’s your brooder setup? A lot of brooders are bins or boxes that are open on top, and placed on the floor. And people reach down from the top to pick the chicks up. This is not a good setup for the chicks. They have an innate fear of things coming to get them from above - hawks and such. By looming over them and reaching down from the top, you trigger that fear, and their automatic response is to scream and run away. This can be reinforced and become their learned reaction to you in general. It’s worse if your brooder has opaque walls, too. That way they can’t actually see you, even if you spend lots of time in the same room. All they see is the looming shadow overhead, reaching down to get them. This might be contributing to their resistance to being held, even if they might have been okay with it under other circumstances.

A better setup would be one where there’s an access opening on the front, and the brooder is elevated, like on a table or shelf, and you reach in at their level. Mesh or clear walls so they can see out at their level.

Here’s my brooder. Up on a table with mesh on the front, one side, and the top. The front opens. The chicks can see out and interact with us at eye level.
View attachment 2132383

We handled them extensively since they hatched (I don’t believe in the “don’t touch young chicks” thing.. They imprint early and the first days are important for socialization, especially if you want pet chickens that are pettable).

They are 3 weeks old now and very friendly. Not all enjoy handling to the same degree. Some complain when picked up but are happy to perch on our arms and walk on us. None have ever freaked out when somebody approached or reached into the brooder though. On the contrary. Because they can see us well before we approach, they are never startled (the way chicks in an opaque bin would be) and come running to greet us when we come close.

I recently changed to a kid swim pool.

 

[GuskHomestead]

RIR snuggles

 

[Dottie the Chicken]

I think some chickens for some reason like their owner more than others. I have one Salmon Faverolle chick, whom I probably spent the most individual time with when she was a young chick, who really does not seem to want me to hold her, and seems to be scared of me. Whereas the other, my avatar, is more friendly to me.