Taming Silkie chicks??? Help!!

[L1sa]

My polish is just the opposite, she chases me down wanting loved on. My silkies are my babies too. They all come running when I call “hey babies”. What I did was after the first week, 7-8 times a day, reach my hand in the brooder with food in hand. That’s the only food that I put in there after the first week. During the first week I would just set my hand in the brooder, palm up, and leave it there not moving for about 5 min. 4-5 times a day. Like dogs, patience and repetition.

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!!!

 

[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.

 

[drumstick diva]

x2

 

[ChickNanny13]

Alot of patience ...

Depending how of the height of your brooder, approach slowly & no quick movements.
Let them come to you, sit next to your brooder, put some freeze dried mealworms in your hand, mash it some & hold it out in your palm, let them come to you.
When you "pick" them up; scoop them with your middle & ring finger from under/between their legs from the front to the back, so they'll be sitting in your palm & your pointer/baby finger is used to hold them.

For older chickens, get a step stool & some mealworms/BOSS ... Sit with them & sprinkle some goodies around you. They won't come but someone will get brave & start pecking. Every time you go to the coop, take some treats they will figure you're the one with the food & goodies.

I've spent many afternoons sitting in the coop just watching the girls, in time you'll be able to approach them more easily. My girls come running, there are time we still go through a short chase but all's forgotten after they get their maintenance work done.

thecreekhouse asked a similar question "How do I tame my baby chicks"

 

[Broody Bist]

Thanks guys!

 

[Fluffy&Cutie]

Aww, i feel your pain. we too got silkies because everyone says how tame and loving they are. Ours are skittish. it takes time to build a relationship. They are probably scared as the others said, to the change. And change in food also did not help my girls. Also, my silkies BARELY eat in comparison to the other brreds i have. AND they are twice as picky, lol. I moved the silkies to the living room so that they would get used to the noise, movement, and us. (the brooder was originally in the empty room) They are better, but do not wish to be handled. it does break my heart, but they LOVE to be spoken too and chat back. i ve had mine for 2 months. the more time i spend with them the more our relationship grows. someone gave me great advice...when handling them, do so from the front and very low so that they can see you. if you grab from behind or up high, they think predator. this helped me a lot. Also, mine scream when i grab them anyway. BUT they will sit for hours with me after that. god luck.

 

[Animals45]

Sit down with them and let them get used to you.