They hate me...

[azygous]

Three-day old chicks understand what to do with live meal worms. Hint: it involves the game of "keep-away", hilarious chirping, and general pandemonium in the brooder.

Always offer chick grit when giving treats of any kind.

 

[Fishkeeper]

Chicks of any age should be fine with mealworm treats. They'd be eating live bugs from day 1 if they were freerange with a mama hen, after all.

 

[llombardo]

Let them eat yummy stuff out of your hand. Just sit next to the brooder with your hand still draped over--they will come. I handle mine as much as possible the first two weeks, then I stopped. 2 are super friendly, one is coming around and the other one is more skittish. The day before yesterday the one flew into my shoulder, I didn't expect that. Then yesterday I was bending over and she flew on my back. I can sweep with them right there and they don't move. If I sit they jump in my lap. I let them do stuff on their own time and they are doing stuff.

 

[LindseyC]

Ok, so I don't know why.. but I was thinking the bagged mealworms. So if I give them mealworms this young, they need to be live ones? All I see at the feed store are dead bagged ones, so that's what I would have given them! I don't even know where to find live mealworms. The search begins....

 

[Ruralhideaway]

Ok, so I don't know why.. but I was thinking the bagged mealworms. So if I give them mealworms this young, they need to be live ones? All I see at the feed store are dead bagged ones, so that's what I would have given them! I don't even know where to find live mealworms. The search begins....

Pet stores, anywhere that sells lizard type supplies will have them behind the counter.

 

[LindseyC]

Ah! Thanks! I'll run by PetSmart tomorrow.

 

[LindseyC]

I’m kind of bummed. I saw this chart today and I think my favorite Buff Orp is a Roo. Sigh...

I’ve got 2 and one definitely has the feather pattern on the left and my fav has the pattern on the right. We’re at about the 10 day mark according to this.

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

Give them treats every day. They will learn to associate you with food, and they LOVE food. With just a shake of the treats bag, my EEs come running! I remember that around this time, I remember my Eyes not wanting anything to do with me. They were scared at the sight of me. And then, a few weeks later, they loved me. Sat in my lap, walked around me, followed me around, etc. I continued to give them treats all through that time. And then, they "hated" me again. One day they would hop into my lap, the next they ran from me. Some helpful folks on here told me this was normal. They tend to get rowdy at that age, and when they start laying, they calm back down. Mine are all around 9 months now, and they are sweet as can be. Continue to give them love, treats, and attention. be patient, and they will soon be comfortable with you. Every chicken is different, so you might not get a sweet puppy hen, but with some TLC, they will learn to be comfortable around you. Good luck!

 

[LindseyC]

Thanks so much! I’m glad to hear there is still hope.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

The varmints that enjoy chicken snacks appreciate it greatly when a new chicken owner over habituates their chickens to the point of ignoring dangers especially those dangers that come from above. Over civilized chicks are just easier for varmints to catch and kill. Of course if you never allow your birds out of their coop or run then you can spoil your new chicks to your hearts content. Notice how many times a chicken keeper has mentioned how just the sweet chicks and hens are the only ones or are at least the first to be taken by a predator.