They don’t like me 🙁

[Hedgeland Farms]

They really chill out around when they start to lay. Mine were scared of me...now they run to their run door when I pull in the driveway...

I like to tell myself it's me...but really it's the handful of scratch they know they will get


Mine all squat for me (even from halfway across the run ) that makes them easy to pick up and do health checks.

My barred rocks are becoming more and more inquisitive and are starting to explore everything....including me

It comes with time and age....promise...

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

I like to tell myself it's me...but really it's the handful of scratch they know they will get

I know that my hens who really love me are the ones that continue to hang around after all the treats are gone!

 

[fluffycrow]

For me those are only the bantams and the ISA brown for me! And the aseel, but he's trying to find a girl so he's got better places to be

I know that my hens who really love me are the ones that continue to hang around after all the treats are gone!

 

[fluffycrow]

I purposefully got pet like breeds. 3 orpingtons and 2 Easter Eggers. All are super skittish. I’ve started being able to hold my hand very still and have them climb on it, but if I even twitch, they all scatter to the far side of the brooder. I’m hoping over time, they warm up.

In the beginning, I would grab them to check for pasty butt and such, I’ve stopped doing that.

They’re about 10 days old.

In my experience, getting birds from places that select for proper breed temperament is almost as important as the breed itself. That being said, I'm certain your birds will come down with age, and the predisposition (to be friendly) is still there, no matter the source

 

[chrissynemetz]

Don't feel bad. Some chicks just take longer to warm up to people. Food, and patience will help you out a lot. Just keep doing what you're doing. Hang in there, they'll come around eventually.

 

[Farmgirl283420]

I was worried too but I kept spending time with them and soon they would jump on my hand to come out let me pet them and scream to come out if they saw me or heard my voice!

Snuggled under my arm!

 

[MelindaEzell]

Handling them safely and them being friendly are two different things. I understand what you mean though, a very friendly bird will be easy to handle. That being said, you don't need to have a bird that is friendly towards you to be able to handle them safely. You just need a bird that is accepting of you. What you are doing now will eventually pay off, as mentioned above at this stage they're always a little wary, and breed most definitely matters. They might never reach the point your bantams have, but things will get better

Thank you

 

[MelindaEzell]

Don't feel bad. Some chicks just take longer to warm up to people. Food, and patience will help you out a lot. Just keep doing what you're doing. Hang in there, they'll come around eventually.

Thank you!

 

[MelindaEzell]

I was worried too but I kept spending time with them and soon they would jump on my hand to come out let me pet them and scream to come out if they saw me or heard my voice!View attachment 3537873View attachment 3537874
Snuggled under my arm!

I love them

 

[MelindaEzell]

First of all, I want to say don't give up on your attempts to befriend them. When my now 7-year-old Cuckoo Marans were 3 weeks old, they reacted exactly like your pullets currently do. They were literally "cuckoo", their fears were so extreme that I separated them from the golden sexlinks that were also in the brooder, because I didn't want the extreme fear reactions to transfer to the friendly sexlinks. However, soon after those Marans reached POL, they settled down immensely. I still have them, and they are among my most docile and friendliest hens.

I suspected my Marans chicks may have had a bad/fearful experience before I ever got them, and that may have happened with your chicks too. @fluffycrow is right that leaning over or reaching into a brooder from above causes an instinctual fear reaction, same as when a bird of prey does a flyover. Keep working with them, and they will learn you are their friend and protector. Don't lean over their brooder while standing, and don't ever reach quickly into their brooder. Start with slowly placing your hand holding a treat into the bottom of the brooder, away from the chicks. Leave your hand there until the chicks relax, then leave the treat and remove your hand. The next time, place your hand with treat into the brooder a little closer to the chicks. Again, leave your hand there until the chicks relax, then leave the treat and slowly remove your hand. Continue these slow steps by moving placing your hand with treat into the brooder until the chicks show no fear at all. These steps could take a few days or a few weeks; let your chicks be your guide. Don't grab the chicks to pick them up until they remain completely relaxed every time you place your hand in the brooder. When you reach the point they will take treats from the palm of your hand, you can gently pick them up. I understand you want your little chicks to be trusting NOW, but they need to learn to trust you at their own pace. This is no different than working with animals of other species. Some are completely trusting from the getgo, while others need more time. I 100% believe your chicks will turn out to be awesome pets that trust and adore you completely, the same as you adore them. Your patience and time are the keys.

Thank you! I move very slowly around them because sudden movements make them flip out. I guess because my other babies were the way they were I was expecting these to do the same as quickly as the others did. The last thing I want is to have girls that never trust me. I love all of them WAY more than I thought I would. I’ve never had chickens before so the way I love them is surprising to me. I understand that reaching above them is scary, I will try to get as low as I can. Thank you for your advice