Taming Silkie chicks??? Help!!

[Broody Bist]

Hi all

So I’m a little upset. Not mad, just kinda disappointed.

I got some silkie chicks on Thursday, they are about 2 weeks old, maybe a few days older. They are SUPER skittish. I mean, really.
I offered them some grass (and other treats I read were safe for baby chicks) and they acted like it was gonna blow up in their faces.
I put a few pieces of grass in the middle of their brooder.

They tiptoe around it.

Eventually someone gets brave enough to stomp on it.

I’ve researched all kinds of ways to get them tamer and friendlier. I put my hand in there as slowly as possible. They always have fresh food and water, I offer them food out of my hand.
They just aren’t having it. They act like I’m gonna grab all of them and chunk them out the window every time I reach in there. The reason I even got silkies was because I read they were very friendly birds. I know they are really young and I should give it more time, but it just seems to be getting worse.

Are there any experienced peeps out there with some advice?? Or at least anyone who you can tag???

I’m honestly almost frustrated to tears right now, and if my phone autocorrects “silkie” to “Dollie” one more time I think I’m gonna throw it at the WALL


Sincerely,
A very desperate silkie Momma

 

[sourland]

Okay, calm down. Chickens hate change and do not tolerate it well. They have just been introduced into a new environment and first they need to adjust to that. Chicks/chickens are leery about being approached from above. It is best to approach young birds from the side on their level. The grass is most likely another 'new' thing to them. Once they adapt to their new home start feeding in small amounts multiple times during the day. Keep them just a bit hungry until they come to associate you with feed. Do not grab them and force yourself on them. Forced handling at this point in the game will only make things worse. Feed will win them over.

 

[sourland]

Hmm.. they pretty much have a full feed bowl 24/7. So you’re saying if I wait just a little longer to fill it back up it will make them more eager when I stick my hand back in there to fill it up?
Also, I have them in a homemade brooder with a lid so there’s really no way to approach them from the side.

What I am suggesting is only feeding them an amount they will eat in a matter of minutes doing so many times during the day until they come to associate you with feed instead of unwanted handling. Once they start coming to you for the feed, then it will be time for first touching and perhaps eventually handling. Handling right now simply feeds their flight response. They have the normal responses of prey animals.

 

[sourland]

I guess I’ll have to try it, I’m really just kinda at a loss. We’ve raised quite a few batches of chicks in the house, none ever as flighty as these. Guess I’ll just have to wait it out.

The significant differences are that I am guessing you started with younger chicks, and they regarded your brooder as their home. These chicks are older, imprinted on another home, dealing with a new home and something that their instincts tell them wants to eat them. They may never be as tame as birds raised from newly hatched chicks, but if you are patient and use common sense they should improve.

 

[Broody Bist]

Well thanks everyone that’s replied. I can be pretty stubborn and I’m not giving up yet lol.
I just tried letting them roam on the floor for a little while, Skippy and Marian got brave enough to peck some food crumbles off my jeans. Skippy even got a little bit more bold and attacked one of my freckles (it hurt but I was too overjoyed to care). I guess I’ll hold back on the handling and start bribing them with food.
I’ve not had 6 chicks all at once in a while, so handling is a bit difficult anyway at the moment. They seemed a little more at ease when my hand was coming from the side, just like you said @sourland

I’m gonna keep this up for a little while and maybe post an update if I can remember (just for those in the future who might read this thread for help with their silkies).

Thanks for the advice guys

 

[Broody Bist]

It's funny isn't it, how we all have the same breeds who act so differently. And we all have different ones who attach themselves to us! I have an Araucana who is the sweetest thing and will jump up on my lap and if I squat down she'll jump up on my shoulder, and I didn't do anything different with her, in fact she was in the same brood as my Silkies. They just have their own characters I guess. Love chickens! I'm just about to go to work! But I'd rather stay in the chicken coop!!!

I could just waste the day outside watching my chickens scratch and dust and all the other crazy chicken things they do

 

[Stacyoung13]

I could just waste the day outside watching my chickens scratch and dust and all the other crazy chicken things they do

I like to take my mat out to the run and sit down with them and let them just run around and climb up on me and do their thing.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

Two words: Meal Worms.

Make sure they have grit, and then introduce them to meal worms... Make a special call when you bring them treats. Eventually, they will associate that sound with treats, and once they recognize meal worms as a delightful treat, they'll get brave enough to take them from your fingers.

 

[Broody Bist]

All chicks are like that. How many times do you go out there? If it's just two a day when you feed them, that's not enough.

You have to go in and hold them 3+ times a day for them to get used to you. Even then usually it's just a few that will tame down.

They’re in the house, and they get A LOT of attention, believe me

 

[L1sa]

My Silkies (18 weeks) have always been pretty skittish, and still are and we raised them from day old chicks (well, with their broody muma!) The roosters are not quite as scaredy as the female, she runs from most things! Terrified! And she has no reason to be, so I just let her be. All the other chickens come round eventually to me being food lady, some just take a bit longer than others.

My Polish however is on a whole nother level!! I have never seen such a scared chook!! It Runs and squawks and screams and runs!! And that pretty much is it's day! I'm hoping it will learn to chill or the poor thing will die of a heat attack!

Good luck with your Silkies.