Taming my backyard flock

[Smartlink]

Greetings;

It's been a month now since we finally got our Flock. It's our first experience, lot's of questions, but this forum has been a godsend. We have a light Sussex born in August, an Orpington and a Ameraucana born in September.

They are getting along nicely, but they are still very afraid of us. I have been trying for a while now to get them to got close to me, to get use to human presence with mixed results. Most promising treat so far seems to be Strawberries. But they still won't eat them out of my hands. I get inside the run, I crouch keep quiet and throw them treats closer and closer to me. Am I on the right track?

How did you manage to get your birds calm in your presence ? What treats did you use? How long did it took?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

You're on the right track. Crouching helps. Be careful not to provide too many treats, those birds will start to love you whether you give treats or just feed and water.
I don't handle my birds but eventually, they get quite close.

 

[Ohmyheart]

Well I have kids. I don't let them chase them but if a chicken comes within arms reach they get picked up. Even the ones that used to avoid being picked up at first now come sit on our laps.

 

[azygous]

Question: when you had them in the brooder, did you access the chicks from above? Back when I got my first baby chicks, I had a top access brooder, and having my hands thrust at them from above ruined them all for life. I have one hen remaining from that bunch, nine years old now, and while she is no longer skittish when I am near her, if I so much as touch her, she has a fit.

Reaching for chicks from above triggers their predator/prey reflex, and persisting in handling the chicks in this manner, continues to traumatize them.

In addition to how they were handled in the brooder, some breeds simply do not wish to be handled, no matter how much you try to butter them up.

The best you can do is respect their wishes not to be handled, and continue to offer them treats from your hand, and given time, they may eventually come around. The secret is to build trust, same as with any animal.

 

[Smartlink]

Question: when you had them in the brooder, did you access the chicks from above?

I did not have them that young :-(

 

[Ohmyheart]

We had ours in that type of brooder and always picked them up from above. They have never been afraid of us. Only the newer poulets that were not started in a brooder but under a broody pullet have been a little more leery.

 

[AllynTal]

I did not have them that young :-(

I think that's some of it. All mine knew me from when they were just hatched out of the egg, so my presence has been a constant. A few will come right up and asked to be picked up, but most will try to evade if they can, but resign themselves quickly if they're picked up.

Being present and not bothering them would be a good tactic. Treats is a good tactic, but too many treats aren't good for them. If I were in that situation, I'd take a chair and a book and just go sit in the run and read, or take my laptop and do some work. Ignore them, but be with them. Their natural curiosity will eventually come into play. If you ignore them (well, talk to them, but don't make a move toward them) and let them get used to your presence on 'their' terms, that'll help.

Yeah, you're on the right track. Just be patient.

 

[centrarchid]

Pretend like they are crazy wild Red Jungle Fowl. Get a lawn chair, a good book, and some live meal worms. Plant your self near birds if penned and read for a bit. Then toss a couple meal worms to them without looking at them. Repeat a few minutes later. Keep repeating until birds start to approach.

If birds loose, then position yourself near cover they retreat to.

Either way do not look directly at birds or attempt to handle them. You are trying to entice them to come to you on their terms. I have done this with chickens that would fly the length of two football fields to get away before effort starts.

 

[aart]

You'll have to sit low, frequently, with no expectations, for a long time.
Chickens will teach you patience..... or not.

 

[chickens really]

We have all been told to stop being Chicken...Lol
It takes time and soon enough they come running when called...