taming my Babies

[ChickzenDeeba]

How do i convince my chicks that im their mother and make them follow me and be docile? LtBrahmas They are still behaving like they did in the tub at Rural King. All running away and huddled together.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Chickens are both predator and prey animals. It takes time for them to realize you aren't going to eat them (yet).
Approaching from above is how hawks come at them. Approaching from the side is better. Some people offer mealworms as an enticement. However, IMHO it is best to just have patience. A complete starter/grower feed is all they should be eating.
When they realize you are the one that brings treats, they'll come running whenever they see you.
I don't have lap pet chickens and I don't handle my birds. They run like the wind all the time until they are about a year old and then they become annoyingly friendly.

 

[ker0412]

How do i convince my chicks that im their mother and make them follow me and be docile? LtBrahmas They are still behaving like they did in the tub at Rural King. All running away and huddled together.

How old are these chicks?

 

[ChickzenDeeba]

How old are these chicks?

2w

 

[ChickzenDeeba]

2w

i try to handle them as much as possible like my sister in law, who raises chickens, told me to.

 

[ker0412]

They'll come along, trust me. Over time they'll establish you as mom and upon seeing you they'll be happy. Just try hand feeding them. That helped for me. Some of mine will perch on my shoulder and arms to get food at times. You'll always have a few that will never let you hold them or that stay a distance. But that's why they'e called chickens I guess. Lol.

 

[techbsmith]

Give it time - I have some chicks that are nearing the 8 week mark. There's only one of the lot of them that runs to me and wants to be picked up, or that will fly up into my lap. She's a dark brahma pullet named Fluisa (yes, I named the dark brahma pullet Duece from the movie Deuce Bigalow). The rest of them don't really run from me, but still aren't overly friendly.

Just a friendly word of caution - if any of them that you have are cockerels and you plan to keep them, you might not want to be overly friendly to them. I tend to treat them with indifference. Spoiled young cockerels can grow up to be a very people aggressive cock.

 

[Folly's place]

These chicks aren't going to 'imprint' on you at this age, but will become more tolerant and interactive over time. Sit around near them offering food. I use the chick diet, and scatter it in a line approaching me. As they grow, and can be in the coop, sit there with them with food. If you do want them to be held comfortably, start slowly, and realize that a few will accept this, and others will freak out forever.
They are not puppies or kittens!!!
Breed type matters, and getting too 'friendly' with cockerels often turns out badly later.
What breeds are your chicks?
Mary

 

[ChickzenDeeba]

Chickens are both predator and prey animals. It takes time for them to realize you aren't going to eat them (yet).
Approaching from above is how hawks come at them. Approaching from the side is better. Some people offer mealworms as an enticement. However, IMHO it is best to just have patience. A complete starter/grower feed is all they should be eating.
When they realize you are the one that brings treats, they'll come running whenever they see you.
I don't have lap pet chickens and I don't handle my birds. They run like the wind all the time until they are about a year old and then they become annoyingly friendly.

Thats sooo cute.... and i had zero clue that they would be that old. hmmm. boo i guess i can now answer ppl properly when they ask if they chicks are following me about yet.