They hate me...

[ChattyChickens4Life]

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.

I would have to respectfully disagree. Chickens are often friendly to their owners because they associate them with treats - that does not mean they lose all natural instinct of when to run from predators. Now it is true that some chickens are a bit ditzy (and therefore sweet) so that may cause them to be unaware of their surroundings, but this does not come from treats or being "spoiled". My sweet and curious chickens were scared of watermelon when we introduced it to them. We have hawks come to our coop and our chickens will go hide - we give them treats every day. They know to be wary of predators because they still have that instinct. Giving chickens treats won't cause them to be caught by predators. It's not something I personally would worry about when giving my chicks treats.

 

[LindseyC]

I don’t think free ranging them is going to be an option. We have a TON of hawks and living close to the river, we have a lot of coyotes and raccoons. We also have quite a few neighborhood dogs and cats. We have 1.25 acres, and I think they’d have the best chances of survival if they just had a well secured, spacious run.

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

I don’t think free ranging them is going to be an option. We have a TON of hawks and living close to the river, we have a lot of coyotes and raccoons. We also have quite a few neighborhood dogs and cats. We have 1.25 acres, and I think they’d have the best chances of survival if they just had a well secured, spacious run.

My hens are in a run, and as long as they have space and sun, they will be super happy. Taking them out for supervised playtime won't hurt them either!

 

[Abriana]

Here is how I got mine to love me:
Hold them gently, so they’ll trust you. I often walked around with them inside my jacket, which really helped with bonding. My strongest bond is with the hen I did that the most with.
Sing to them, or talk to them
Just sit and watch them
Feed them from your hand
Be a safe place, always gentle, always loving

 

[LindseyC]

My 11 year old son sang ‘You Are My Sunshine’ to them the other day.

 

[llombardo]

My 11 year old son sang ‘You Are My Sunshine’ to them the other day.

I sing this to my pekin Sunny. That is usually when I get the side eye, because she probably trying to figure out who allows me to sing

 

[llombardo]

I don’t think free ranging them is going to be an option. We have a TON of hawks and living close to the river, we have a lot of coyotes and raccoons. We also have quite a few neighborhood dogs and cats. We have 1.25 acres, and I think they’d have the best chances of survival if they just had a well secured, spacious run.

Me either. I have 4 and they will have a large run. Way to much wildlife up, down and all around.

 

[llombardo]

I would have to respectfully disagree. Chickens are often friendly to their owners because they associate them with treats - that does not mean they lose all natural instinct of when to run from predators. Now it is true that some chickens are a bit ditzy (and therefore sweet) so that may cause them to be unaware of their surroundings, but this does not come from treats or being "spoiled". My sweet and curious chickens were scared of watermelon when we introduced it to them. We have hawks come to our coop and our chickens will go hide - we give them treats every day. They know to be wary of predators because they still have that instinct. Giving chickens treats won't cause them to be caught by predators. It's not something I personally would worry about when giving my chicks treats.

I don't even feed my squirrels out in the open. They are completely covered do they can eat in peace.

 

[ChattyChickens4Life]

I don't even feed my squirrels out in the open. They are completely covered do they can eat in peace.

You have squirrels? That's pretty cool! Did you have them since they were babies, or are they just ones from the wild who visit?

 

[llombardo]

Mine got friendlier as they got older. Once I was able to take them outside, that helped a lot! They would follow me around the yard and sit on my legs when I sat down. Mine are 7 weeks now. That said, I have one that is still not friendly, out of the four. She flaps her wings wildly when I try to pick her up, and screeches at me. The others perk up when they hear my voice.

I have one that is that way and she had a boo boo, so I had to treat her. As skittish as she can be, she stayed still and let me help her.