What am I going to do with my chicks? I can't tame them!

[Davaroo]

...but they stay in their pack every minute

Just to indulge my pedantic side, it's a flock, not a pack.​

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
When you say 'chicks', how old are these. Are they, like, literally still chicks. Because I think that is just how a lot of chicks *are*. Learning takes time. Yeah, I know some people have chicks hopping on their arms and snuggling in for a nap and all that at a week old, or whatever, but those are mostly people who spend huge amounts of time with the chicks and not all chicks are necessarily going to be like that no matter *what* you do.

If they're chicks, and from some normal breed, then I will betcha anything they'll grow out of it (if you keep at it, e.g. the lawn-chair-and-book program or anything else like that). If they are no longer chicks, spend a few weeks with the lawnchair-and-book (you have to do it every day, at least once and preferably more than once, and at least 30 min at a time, and you have to ignore the heck out of them

while you're doing it) and if they are any normal breed they will stop being terrified. Try it.

Good luck,

Pat

 

[rebecca10782]

Quote:
Mine are actually very gentle when they eat out of my hand, I have to make sure that the feed is only in the palm of my hand though. If it gets between my fingers, they seem to think the plump part of the bottom of my fingers is food. But they ALWAYS want to roost on my arm! Which hurts like heck, especially as they keep growing! I hate to think of the day I'll have a 10 pound Cochin roosting on my arms and neck!

Thanks

I know, that is one of my favorite pictures. I don't know why see was making that face, but she looks like she is winking and smiling

Once in a lifetime picture

She's my angel.

 

[The Chicken Lady]

You mentioned that you were hoping the chickens would be similar to a dog or cat. That really isn't the case. Birds are a lot different; dogs and cats were domesticated over generations to be companion animals for humans, and birds really haven't been.

You need to get them used to you, and in some cases, assert your superiority over any that are actually vicious toward you. You also need to choose chicken breeds that are known to be less flighty and more docile. Jersey Giants are known to be like that, so you made a good choice there. Just keep posting here at the Chicken Support Group (hee hee) and follow the advice of those who have been there, done that! If you work the lawnchair routine, you'll notice a difference in your flock by fall.

Another thought... Chickens generally see more poorly in the dark; one thing I've done is go into the coop at night (with a flashlight) and talk to and pet my chickens while they were on their roosts (once they were used to me being around).