Timid frightened chicks

[kgb6days]

Hi all - I'm learning so much on this forum and appreciate the knowledge shared. I have 6 chicks (2 leghorn, 4 black sex links) that are 5 weeks old and very friendly. I also have 2 EE that are 2 weeks old. I have them separate. The older ones are very friendly, especially the leghorns. They sit on me, all 6 follow me around. Imagine my disappointment when my EEs run from the sight of me. They act terrified. I have held food in my hand waiting on a response - none other than abject terror and running from me. I've done all I know to do to gain their trust but am out of ideas other than just accept they are terrified of me. Any suggestions or ideas??

 

[TLWR]

time and patience.

Have you had them since hatch or a few days old or just recently got them?

 

[kgb6days]

I've had them 10 days now - they were not quite a week old when I got them

 

[Shelby1616]

you should just give them time hold them and love them and eventually they will realize you are nice and friendly.

 

[kgb6days]

Thanks for the encouragement. They just go crazy when I pick them up and cheep like I'm killing them. Makes me feel guilty. Do you think they will get better when I can integrate them with the older chicks?

 

[Greenthumb83]

Thanks for the encouragement. They just go crazy when I pick them up and cheep like I'm killing them. Makes me feel guilty. Do you think they will get better when I can integrate them with the older chicks?

I'm new to chickens as well. Mine are a little younger (1-2 weeks old) but of the three breeds I got, the EEs are most afraid of me. My barred rocks come to me out of curiosity. My buff Orpingtons jump in my hand and perch on my shoulder already. But my EEs sound like yours. I really hope they come around. But if not, that's ok too lol. Maybe they just are as social?

 

[Shelby1616]

So I did look up the EE and they are a type of Americana, the can be very skittish and FAST i recommend to just try to work with them while they are young because if say you get a rooster they will be super territorial and mean to any other rooster they also will mat like crazy so just work with them love them and that is about all you can do.

 

[calvertcounty]

Hi all - I'm learning so much on this forum and appreciate the knowledge shared. I have 6 chicks (2 leghorn, 4 black sex links) that are 5 weeks old and very friendly. I also have 2 EE that are 2 weeks old. I have them separate. The older ones are very friendly, especially the leghorns. They sit on me, all 6 follow me around. Imagine my disappointment when my EEs run from the sight of me. They act terrified. I have held food in my hand waiting on a response - none other than abject terror and running from me. I've done all I know to do to gain their trust but am out of ideas other than just accept they are terrified of me. Any suggestions or ideas??

Yeah - two weeks is still very young. Our chicks were still skeptical of us (probably deservedly of me because I like tickling them) at that age. Time w/them, approaching them at their eye level (no quickly swooping hands from above), and treats should be sufficient.

 

[Blooie]

Chickens are a lot like any other critters....you just can't blame all of them for the behavior of a few. I have Easter Eggers in my flock, and I'll never be without them. I know people who love their Golden Laced Wyandottes for their friendly nature and for how well they get along in a flock. I couldn't get rid of the 5 I had fast enough.....mean little boogers! I bought all of the chicks from the same source, and there were 4 different breeds in that shipment. A week later I added Speckled Sussex and Cuckoo Marans chicks. But those 5 were the only ones I had issues with. If one was picking on another chicken, the other 4 had to come in and join in, beating the poor victim into submission! But I don't blame all Golden Laced Wyandottes for that. These are my original 5 Easter Eggers. We lost one to a stupid accident, but the others are still out there laying eggs and decorating the yard with their bright colors.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-easter-eggers-of-oleo-acres

The behavior you are talking about is pretty typical when some chicks are brought into a new environment - everything is new and scary, and you have the added black mark against you because you're not only new and scary, you're big! You just need to give them a little time. Move slowly around them. Don't try to force your friendliness on them - they won't see it that way. Some chicks will warm right up to you and want to be where you are, others just not so much. Let them see you quietly hand feeding treats to the others and they may well finally come closer just to see what the others are eating. Before you know it they'll be coming to you looking for treats too.

You may have to be content with having the ones who do like to be near you continue to do that and for the EEs to just be part of the flock, a little off to the side. A lot of that behavior tends to change, too, as they get closer to point of lay. So relax - you are doing fine! You have healthy chicks and they are doing well. Some are just a little friendlier than others.

And welcome to BYC!

 

[kgb6days]

Your chickens are beautiful! Thanks for the reply and link. I've actually had a little progress with them. They no longer cower in the corner of the brooder in abject terror - they will now look up at me with curiosity and then go about doing their chicken thing. One actually plucked a treat from my hand and stepped up into my hand. I'm letting them come to me at their own pace, and if they never want to actually make physical contact with me that's ok - I just want them to come when I call in case it's an urgent thing that they do. They are feathering out nicely, and seeing your progression pictures lets me know just how pretty they will be as they 'grow up'.