Very flighty chicks

[MotherOfPeepPeeps]

I purchased some mixed run barred rocks and autralorps at Tractor Supply on Thursday. I am assuming based on their size and feather development that they range in age between 1-1/2 and 2 weeks old.

I have been perusing around here for a few hours and I've noticed lots of pics of people playing with very friendly chicks... I'm jealous!

My chicks seem terribly flighty and hate being handled. When I reach in the crate, they all run into the corner and peep loudly while flapping their little wings and obviously appear distressed.
I've tried bribing them with tasty treats, but they won't even consider the treats until I remove my hand from the cage and latch the door.

How do y'all have such friendly chicks? Do they have to be home hatched and imprint on you to be that friendly? Any tips on making friends with my chicks? I'm worried my flighty chicks will grow into flighty chickens, and I had envisioned sweet friendly laying hens.

 

[JesusHChicken]

Treats. I eat brown rice with my eggs in the morning and always have leftovers. Let chicks eat from the palm of your hands. Do this throughout the day. Chicks will run towards you instead of away.

 

[MotherOfPeepPeeps]

Treats. I eat brown rice with my eggs in the morning and always have leftovers. Let chicks eat from the palm of your hands. Do this throughout the day. Chicks will run towards you instead of away.

I have been trying to offer them food out of my hand since I brought them home, but none will approach. When I move my hand closer they freak out.

I will keep trying though.

 

[rkapfen]

How is your brooder set up? If you only come at them from the top sometimes they can associate you as a predator. Side entering brooder boxes are always best if possible. Besides that when I got my babies I just let them eat some of the chick feed mixed with a hard boiled egg yoke in my palm. It takes them a while at first to muster up the courage to come over and check it out but I tap on it with my finger and say “chirp chirp” like a mama hen would do to tell them to come look at this. Don’t give up hope! Just spend time with them and let them crawl on your hand before picking them up

 

[chuckachucka]

They are probably scared because they have not been handled before you got them. Friendly chicks are not friendly because they imprint at hatch but because they get used to people better if they are handled from hatch onward. If yours are one week old plus they have missed out on a week of handling l. Imagine being a chick hatching with no mothere which is already confusing and then there are these giant beings who walk by their home and talk loudly and stare at them. Occasionally these giant beings try to grab them. Naturally they are terrified.

Luckily all it takes is positive reinforcement. You are scary until you prove to them that you are not. I recommend getting them out and lettibg them stand on you. Offering treats on your lap or near to you. Repeated grabbing will just trigger their prey animal instincts to be afraid. Tyry to coax them nearer and nearer to you with treats and always be calm and not too loud around them. Talk to them gently so they get used to your voice. Move slowly. Just spend as much time close to them being not a threat as possible and they will learn. It takes time but it is not too late for your little ones to become sweet friendly chickens.

 

[MotherOfPeepPeeps]

How is your brooder set up? If you only come at them from the top sometimes they can associate you as a predator. Side entering brooder boxes are always best if possible. Besides that when I got my babies I just let them eat some of the chick feed mixed with a hard boiled egg yoke in my palm. It takes them a while at first to muster up the courage to come over and check it out but I tap on it with my finger and say “chirp chirp” like a mama hen would do to tell them to come look at this. Don’t give up hope! Just spend time with them and let them crawl on your hand before picking them up

They were kind of an impulse purchase, so I don't have a real chicken brooder. I am using an old wire hedgehog/guineapig cage with a solid bottom and a side door, with a heat lamp for my makeshift brooder.

I'll keep trying. I love to sit and watch them, it so cute seeing their flock mentality... One eats, they all eat. One drinks, they all drink. One preens her feathers, they all do. One sits under the lamp to nap, they all huddle up and nap... So if just one will catch on, all the others will follow suit.

 

[Mraya]

I purchased some mixed run barred rocks and autralorps at Tractor Supply on Thursday. I am assuming based on their size and feather development that they range in age between 1-1/2 and 2 weeks old.

I have been perusing around here for a few hours and I've noticed lots of pics of people playing with very friendly chicks... I'm jealous!

My chicks seem terribly flighty and hate being handled. When I reach in the crate, they all run into the corner and peep loudly while flapping their little wings and obviously appear distressed.
I've tried bribing them with tasty treats, but they won't even consider the treats until I remove my hand from the cage and latch the door.

How do y'all have such friendly chicks? Do they have to be home hatched and imprint on you to be that friendly? Any tips on making friends with my chicks? I'm worried my flighty chicks will grow into flighty chickens, and I had envisioned sweet friendly laying hens.

Put some treats in your palm, place your hand in the brooder palm up on the floor of the brooder don't move and let the chicks come to you. Chicks are very curious soon one should come over. This may take time but keep doing it don't chase them.Let them come to you.

 

[FeatherstoneFrm]

I got mine from TSC at A few days to 1 week old. I've handled and loves them daily and they still run to the corner when I reach in but don't mind once I pick them up. When I take them to the garden and sit on the ground with them they will hop onto my lap. I try to reach in and pet them sometimes so they will get used to the idea that sometimes that's all I want to do and other times they will be picked up.They are 4-5 weeks old now.
I haven't put them in the coop yet because I have to move it away from china berry trees so I take them out every day that it is warm enough and sit with them.