Two week old chicks 💕

[santafesilkie]

Hello! Newish chicken owner:

Background: I have four new chicks that are two weeks old now. The new babies were ordered from a hatchery and when they arrived one had passed away in the box and the others were so weak, I didn’t think any would survive. Another passed away that evening. I was left with 4 and traded someone one of my chicks for another breed.

They are living in our bonus room and have a good set up ( heat plate, radiator on at night in the room)

The issue: The baby chicks seem to not like me or other people. They don’t like being held and try to get away from me when I am loving them. Could it be their traumatic experience being shipped and seeing the other chicks pass away? What can I do? I just don’t want them to be afraid of me when they are older. My older 5 month old chickens aren’t the friendliest but still like to be held and will run up to me.

any suggestions welcome, thank you!

 

[M Brennen]

My baby chicks freak out every time I open the box. They scurry all over the place. They are two weeks old. When things quiet down there are a couple that will come over to me, peck at my hand, etc. There has been one bird that doesn’t peck, but will actually come over to me and stand on my hand, one out of 29 birds.

 

[Kloie Grace]

Most chicks are like that! Sounds like y'all got lucky! I wish my babys loved me!!!

 

[Whigru]

Welcome!
I’ve had 3 batches of chicks in my somewhat limited experience. Our first batch, we held those things multiple times a day and my younger child was all up in their business. They still ran away some, but by 10-12 weeks ago, one of them (A barred rock) was always near us or would come over to us if we came outside. She would stand there and let us pick her up and sit happily in our arms for as long as we wanted. The other two (Buff Orp and RIR) were raised along with her but even as older birds, still ran from us. The second batch of chicks we got earlier this year were also handled quite a bit but even now at 15 weeks are very hesitant to be near us and hate being held. Our third batch, which is 6 weeks old, RUN and chicken-scream anytime we are near. They probably had the least amount of human interaction of the three groups and it shows. They have also been out with the 15-weekers for several weeks and get more chicken time than people time.
Anyway, my point is, I think it’s just how some birds are. I’ve only ever had one Barred Rock but I’ve read that they are very docile so maybe part of my birds willingness to be held even as an adult was part nature, part nurture. But in general, it’s pretty normal for them to do the run away thing even if you handle them daily.

 

[M Brennen]

As adults, my birds don’t usually like to be held, but I can usually get them to come running when I throw out the scratch.

 

[santafesilkie]

My baby chicks freak out every time I open the box. They scurry all over the place. They are two weeks old. When things quiet down there are a couple that will come over to me, peck at my hand, etc. There has been one bird that doesn’t peck, but will actually come over to me and stand on my hand, one out of 29 birds.

Thank you! This makes me feel better. I think I just got lucky with my first batch because they would jump all over me and even when they got a little older would fly on to my shoulder! These little ones won’t even sit in my hand without trying to get away lol I just thought maybe they were having some anxiety issues over their shipping experience.

My Easter Eggers and white Plymouth Rock were the easiest little chicks and just loved being held and my two dominiques weren’t the friendliest when they were babies but are now the friendliest and love being held so maybe these new chicks still have a chance.
We will see!

 

[santafesilkie]

As adults, my birds don’t usually like to be held, but I can usually get them to come running when I throw out the scratch.

How old were they when you first started giving them scratch? I’m also having issues with my older chickens not liking treats and not wanting to come in at night. I’ve tried meal worms and some other treats but they just don’t get too excited over it.

 

[santafesilkie]

Welcome!
I’ve had 3 batches of chicks in my somewhat limited experience. Our first batch, we held those things multiple times a day and my younger child was all up in their business. They still ran away some, but by 10-12 weeks ago, one of them (A barred rock) was always near us or would come over to us if we came outside. She would stand there and let us pick her up and sit happily in our arms for as long as we wanted. The other two (Buff Orp and RIR) were raised along with her but even as older birds, still ran from us. The second batch of chicks we got earlier this year were also handled quite a bit but even now at 15 weeks are very hesitant to be near us and hate being held. Our third batch, which is 6 weeks old, RUN and chicken-scream anytime we are near. They probably had the least amount of human interaction of the three groups and it shows. They have also been out with the 15-weekers for several weeks and get more chicken time than people time.
Anyway, my point is, I think it’s just how some birds are. I’ve only ever had one Barred Rock but I’ve read that they are very docile so maybe part of my birds willingness to be held even as an adult was part nature, part nurture. But in general, it’s pretty normal for them to do the run away thing even if you handle them daily.

Thank you!!! This makes me feel better. Maybe I’m not failing at this raising chickens thing lol.
I forgot that my Dominique weren’t the friendliest when they were babies and now love being held and the others don’t really care about being loved haha
I was just worried my babies might be having some issues after the shipping experience. It was awful. My lavender Orpington chick in the picture was basically dead when she arrived and I spent two days dropping honey water into her mouth and she finally got better. I thought maybe that would have made her bond with me but who knows.

 

[santafesilkie]

Most chicks are like that! Sounds like y'all got lucky! I wish my babys loved me!!!

Lol I mean I never thought I would care if my chickens loved me or not but they have really become part of our family and we consider them our pets now! So, It will be sad if they hate me when they are older too

 

[Kloie Grace]

Lol I mean I never thought I would care if my chickens loved me or not but they have really become part of our family and we consider them our pets now! So, It will be sad if they hate me when they are older too

Only one of my 6 even remotely likes me