Topic of the Week - Raising People Friendly Poultry

[Cluckcluck1215]

- How best to raise chicks to keep them tame and comfortable around humans and what about broody raised chicks?
I've never had a chicken hatch out chicks, Ive always gotten them at a Feed Store.Key to taming a chick, take them out, cuddle and pet them, show them you, the human that they don't have to fear you, but come to you for love and treats.
- How do you tame an adult bird?
Hehehe.I'm in the processe right now.When I raised my second batch of chicks, I was at my graarenst for a while so I didn't cuddle them as much.Right now, the only ones are Blackie and Wisteriea.Best bet is:Treats.I let her come near me, and I gently reach out, if she crouches, I pick her up and pet her, if she struggles, put her down right away.That way I'm not forcing her to do something she doesn't want to, If you force them, they will be come even more scared of you, and avoid you all together.
- What about cockbirds? How do you establish the human vs cockbird "pecking order"?
N/A.Never had a Cock.

 

[HeavensHens88]

Writing up my taming method right now...

 

[alexa009]

Our chickens we had bought half a year ago had been really wild. They would yell and run if you were even 4 feet near them. We had started giving them treats then they would eats out of our hands. They still did not like being picked up though. I eventually just started picking them up a lot everyday whether they they liked it or not. Now they know we won't hurt them and they loved being held. Our buff orpington even jumps on your shoulder as you enter the coop!

 

[BantyChooks]

- How best to raise chicks to keep them tame and comfortable around humans and what about broody raised chicks?
Time is the most important thing, IMO. Hard to get friendly birds if you don't spend lots of time with them. For my chicks, I raise them in an area where they can clearly see me coming that also has a side entrance so there's no hands looming above them. Makes for much tamer chicks. Also, raising chicks in small batches makes them much more likely to seek humans. Two or three is my preferred size.

Like others said, food is also a great incentive. My birds gets scraps daily so soon learn that being close to the hooman gets you the best stuff.

Also, one note I'd like to add for new chicken keepers. I have noticed there seems to be a lack in understanding chicken body language amongst those new to them.
If you're constantly sending weird vibes to your birds, they're never going to become comfortable around you. I recommend taking all the time you can to sit near the birds, not mussing with them or sitting too close, just near. You will learn more than you realise just watching how they respond to threats, how they interact, and as a plus you will learn normal behaviour of your birds to aid in diagnosing illness.

I don't have enough experience with them to comment on raising broody chicks as tame as the rest of the flock.

- How do you tame an adult bird?
Same way I do chicks. Lots of time just near them, frequent handling but not so frequent they start hating the sight of you, and lotsa their favourite goodies.

- What about cockbirds? How do you establish the human vs cockbird "pecking order"?
Hmm... Going to have to think about this. I have honestly never put much thought into how I raise the males. Just seemed natural to do what I've been doing.
The ONE time I deviated from 'methods' below, boom, I had an aggressive cockbird.

First off, as chicks, I handle them lots. Just like with the pullets. They get fussed over and time spent with them, fed goodies, until they are not scared. Then, as they grow, they become independent and start not enjoying being mussed over. I respect this. I rarely handle my mature cockbirds except for louse checks and general health every month or so. They don't need it, honest. It sort of seems a natural separation. Now, I am no chicken behaviourist, but I believe the early taming helps take away the terror that some types of aggression stems from. Then, not forcing them to cuddle after they start feeling their oats keeps them still respectful, not too familiar; which also breeds aggression, as I learned the hard way.

I don't treat them any different from the hens, other than that. If they are in my way, they move, I don't.
Sometimes the cockerels will jump on my lap in search of food. That's okay, just make sure they don't stay there too long.
Cockbirds in particular are still not allowed near eyes or other such vulnerable places---they are still testosterone filled animals, no matter how tame little Fluffy seems.

The above that I have described are likely not even close to all of what I unconsciously do in handling my birds, but I have described all I can think of that I do. I am sure stuff like how food is distributed, how many hens are around, the breed of cockerel, and housing situation all have tremendous impact on the 'proper' method.

 

[BantyChooks]

- What about cockbirds? How do you establish the human vs cockbird "pecking order"?

I handle the cockerel as a chick, not distinguishing between him and the pullets. However, as soon as the hormones kick in around five or six months, I stop handling the cockerel except when absolutely necessary, and I ignore them as completely as possible.

This establishes a trust between me and the cockerel, and he then has the confidence to explore his developing role in the flock with no interference from me. On the other hand, he is expected to respect me and my role in the flock. Should a "difference of opinion" arise, I firmly put him in his place by immobilizing him until he submits. This discipline involves no violence or pain. He "gets it" pretty fast.

How bout that---I didn't see your post before hitting 'submit' on mine.

 

[dawnd13]

I have always raised my chicks from a day or two old. I have the brooder in the house in the "chicken room" for several weeks. The brooder sits on a table and I handle the chicks daily and have them interact with the dogs daily too (under very close supervision). I also train them with meal worms, so when they are older they know to come when I shake the can of worms. My chickens will let me pick them up most of the time and always come to me when I go into the run. The new chicks I got were raised in the "chicken room", then moved to the garage and went outside to our new coop a couple of weeks ago. They used to come and jump on my arms when they were in the brooder, now they come around, but like their new run and freedom. I think handling them young is the best way. I have not ever taken an older chicken and we are not allow cockerels where I live. Exposing them to the dogs when they were very young, has them thinking the one dog is their mama, as they go to him more than me sometimes and always go to him when he walks around the run.

 

[cwalsh2]

If you want gentle yet productive layers, that are extremely tame, get Hybrid layers such as ISA browns or Amberlinks. Do nothing but feed and water them, and they will still follow you around and be extremely gentle. The down side is that you cannot chase them back in the pen if they get out. They have no fear, so you can not herd them. They do not bite, and are just naturally gentle. No treats or bribery necessary. I crossed ISA brown roosters on Amberlink hens and hatched out 88 chicks. The offspring are all colors, and just as gentle and productive. Next year I will put Tetra Brown roosters over these hens and go another round. Then the next year I will probably go back to hatchery ISA's and start over.

 

[BittyChickens]

I am following this thread because I just got my first chick's last week. My husband just wants egg producers, but I want them to friendly and possibly have a therapy bird. My daughter is 5 and I want her to like them. I was given the advice to handle them a lot and give them treats.

 

[igorsMistress]

While I've had chickens before, I didn't raise them from chicks so this has been my first experience.

I started hand feeding after a week, and every night when I close the coop I talk to them and take a minute to give everyone a scratch. We do this while they're getting ready to roost and sometimes they'll accept a scratch or pet out in the yard.

I don't force them I just offer some love and if they're in the mood it's ok. If not that's fine.

I think I have a roo. If so he isn't aggressive with me but he isn't especially friendly either. I plan to use methods I've read about here to deal with him and keep him in my flock.

I love these topics of the week. The information is so helpful. Thanks for all the ideas everyone!

 

[casportpony]

Pic by @Mountain Peeps ​

For many of us our birds are pets and for some they are used for showing purposes, both mean raising people friendly, tame birds are important, but what is the best way(s) to go about that? This week I'd like to hear you all's thoughts and practices when it comes to raising people friendly, tame birds. Some questions:

- How best to raise chicks to keep them tame and comfortable around humans and what about broody raised chicks?
- How do you tame an adult bird?
- What about cockbirds? How do you establish the human vs cockbird "pecking order"?






For a complete list of our Topic of the Week threads, see here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/topic-of-the-week-thread-archive.

@Birdrain92 , can you tell people how you tame you peafowl?