Trouble handling mama raised chicks

[Beaglegal]

In summer we are out there at 11pm, not a lot earlier.
Mary

I’m not sure I can stay up that late

 

[aart]

especially in the summer it’s hard to stay up that late.

I Know, Right!!??
Especially if you have to get up and go to work in the morning.
I'm retired so I just take a longer nap on exam days

 

[Beaglegal]

I Know, Right!!??
Especially if you have to get up and go to work in the morning.
I'm retired so I just take a longer nap on exam days

Also my brain just sort of shuts down and I fall asleep, sort of like a robot powering down. It’s almost involuntary

 

[aart]

Also my brain just sort of shuts down and I fall asleep, sort of like a robot powering down. It’s almost involuntary

Yep...morning person here.

 

[lifein1840]

My goal is to be better able to handle my chickens to check their health, medicate them or even cull them when the time comes.

I have some mama raised chickens and some ones I brooded myself (approx same age). Despite the fact that I rarely handled the non mama raised chicks and that I purchased them at a week + old, they are much easier to handle now than the mama raised chickens. The mama raised chickens freak out when I handle them despite being given treats (which they won’t eat) and the others are calm, despite not being given treats.

I have tried handling them off the roost at night because I heard it was easier, but they still freak out.

Is this just how it is with mama raised chicks?

I start the day they hatch, sitting in the broody coop with them and mama (a huge Speckled Sussex). Then i sit in the run with them and offer treats by hand as they grow and they will hop up on my legs for more treats. When mama moves on, i start picking them up and just talking to them. Usually within a couple of weeks, they seek me out. It really does make it easier to do health checks and move chickens that don't think you are godzilla coming to eat them....

 

[Bird nut 2000]

My goal is to be better able to handle my chickens to check their health, medicate them or even cull them when the time comes.

I have some mama raised chickens and some ones I brooded myself (approx same age). Despite the fact that I rarely handled the non mama raised chicks and that I purchased them at a week + old, they are much easier to handle now than the mama raised chickens. The mama raised chickens freak out when I handle them despite being given treats (which they won’t eat) and the others are calm, despite not being given treats.

I have tried handling them off the roost at night because I heard it was easier, but they still freak out.


Is this just how it is with mama raised chicks?

I tame the moms before they even think about being one. That way when they have chicks the moms teach them how to be tame. I tame the moms form chicks. Give the chick treats everyday buy hand and hanging out with them. Dont know how to tame flighty adults. I normally keep the best tempered hen and roo and git rid of mean or flighty birds. Flighty birds can learn from non flighty birds if you have the non flighty ones tame enof to eat from your hand. Even then some just might have flighty personalities.

 

[Nay]

You are probably more right then I’d like to admit. I enjoy handling the ones that don’t freak out but I don’t particularly enjoy handling the ones that do.

I had the same problem when I started keeping bees and I just had to grit my teeth and get through it. I’m much more comfortable with it now.

Have you tried bribery? Bringing them mealworms or something really lovely? Getting them to associate you with something extra special might be a good way to develop their trust.

 

[Malamute1]

My goal is to be better able to handle my chickens to check their health, medicate them or even cull them when the time comes.

I have some mama raised chickens and some ones I brooded myself (approx same age). Despite the fact that I rarely handled the non mama raised chicks and that I purchased them at a week + old, they are much easier to handle now than the mama raised chickens. The mama raised chickens freak out when I handle them despite being given treats (which they won’t eat) and the others are calm, despite not being given treats.

I have tried handling them off the roost at night because I heard it was easier, but they still freak out.

Is this just how it is with mama raised chicks?

I raised mine from day olds. I handled them alot. I have 2 if I reach for them they'll run. If I sit one will come up and I can handle her. The other I have to corner her to catch her. The rest run to me as some as they hear my voice or see me. Then you can barely walk. My husband says you have to shuffle you feet to walk n keep from stepping on them. 3 of them will peck at me till I pick them up. If I sit they will jump in my lap. Those three are jealous of each other when they're not the one being held or getting a scratch. And I've had the blood bruises to prove it. Little witches will peck me till I put one down n pick up the other. One went after one I was putting down, missed her and got my hand instead. Little bi.. Broke skin. Her name is BB which stands for biddy bit.h. Lol they all have different personalities and temperaments. Can you handle mama? If you want to continue to have mama breed you might consider moving chicks to a brooder box and raising them your yourself after they hatch. You'll have to integrate them back into the flock later. More work but might be worth it.

 

[joydix]

My goal is to be better able to handle my chickens to check their health, medicate them or even cull them when the time comes.

I have some mama raised chickens and some ones I brooded myself (approx same age). Despite the fact that I rarely handled the non mama raised chicks and that I purchased them at a week + old, they are much easier to handle now than the mama raised chickens. The mama raised chickens freak out when I handle them despite being given treats (which they won’t eat) and the others are calm, despite not being given treats.

I have tried handling them off the roost at night because I heard it was easier, but they still freak out.

Is this just how it is with mama raised chicks?

i start handling the mother raised chicks right away but i start with hand feeding treats. my moms are very tolerant of me tho there are a couple who would not be...the sweetest ones get to raise chicks. she will give them permission to eat out of my hand. if she doesn't then they will not....but at least they get used to me and my hands...then when a little bigger...week and more i take one at a time and carry it around..let it walk around on the grass, give it treats....etc. they get pretty tame. bare minimum they will eat out of my hand....

 

[joydix]

I raised mine from day olds. I handled them alot. I have 2 if I reach for them they'll run. If I sit one will come up and I can handle her. The other I have to corner her to catch her. The rest run to me as some as they hear my voice or see me. Then you can barely walk. My husband says you have to shuffle you feet to walk n keep from stepping on them. 3 of them will peck at me till I pick them up. If I sit they will jump in my lap. Those three are jealous of each other when they're not the one being held or getting a scratch. And I've had the blood bruises to prove it. Little witches will peck me till I put one down n pick up the other. One went after one I was putting down, missed her and got my hand instead. Little bi.. Broke skin. Her name is BB which stands for biddy bit.h. Lol they all have different personalities and temperaments. Can you handle mama? If you want to continue to have mama breed you might consider moving chicks to a brooder box and raising them your yourself after they hatch. You'll have to integrate them back into the flock later. More work but might be worth it.

i am also careful when i pick them up....even the adults, that i dont go at them with hands out like to grab...i go under the hen/chicks. they appreciate that as i dont seem like a predator...AND meal worms help alot! i always am sure to have those when i get babies...i break them up when babies are tiny...