I have 7 Buff Orpington chicks..supposed to be all hens. They are now a week and a half old. What is the best way to get them to be friendly? I picked this breed specifically because I heard they make great pets and are very gentle. As of now..my girls are pretty friendly...I have a white towel with blue stripes that I put over me when I hold them. When they see the towel and I call them they come running and it is always a race to see who can get under Mommy's chin first. They will nap for about an hour or more under my chin. If I continue this, will they be this friendly as adults??
They should be friendly when they get older. especially to whoever feeds them. I feed my chickens and I kinda go out and feed them the same time everyday so I'll go out there and I'll be tripping over them because the follow me where ever I go around feeding time.
Bec, Sounds like you're off to a great start. Pick them up, pet them and whisper sweet nothings in their ear. Ramble on, sing to them, tell them stories. Our flock listens to books and music on CD in the barn. Pick them up and examine them. Look under the wings, open their mouth, check the vent area. If you start doing this now, they will think nothing of it when you have to check them over when they are older. Enjoy them, they grow fast! regards, keljonma
Tell me about it!! They are growing so fast! 10 days old and they are growing tail feathers and almost have full wings!!! it's kinda sad....seeing them grow up and all...But thats what babies do!! lol I am hoping to have friendly adults....I want to be able to go outside to their pen and have them run to me and be happy to see me!! Do they follow you around like a duckling or gosling would do? I haven't had them out other than when I am holding them...other than that they stay in their little home. But when they are old enough to go out for a strut, will they follow me?
Yes, they will follow you all over the place...whether you want them to or not. When we first let the birds out in the farmyard, the grasshoppers were plentiful. The chickens would follow us around the yard and pounce on the hoppers. Now they think anytime we're walking through the yard, bugs should magically appear! They always look a little disappointed when they don't. My hubby always save a bit of fruit or veg from his lunch. For those days he doesn't have anything left, he keeps some oats in his car. When he pulls in the farm gate after work, the entire flock runs to the back door of the house waiting for him. They know that's where he hands out treats after work. I call them my hubby's landscaping crew..... When ever we do gardening or yard work, they are always there to help or inspect the work. We're just getting ready for planting season here. The flock runs for the garden when ever they see hubby bring the tiller out of the garage. They know they get to search for bugs before he starts tilling and after he stops. If your flock will free range your property, they'll come running back to the hen house at the end of the day, if you always use the same phrase when you give treats. I do a little "I have Treats!" in a sing-song way. It doesn't take the flock long to cover the 2 acres back to the barn so they don't miss out on treats. If the flock is out foraging our farm and see us come out the door with anything in our hands (could be the empty egg basket) they run to us to see if we have any handouts.
They can be a little skiddish when they are babies (and with good reason... we are pretty big and scary looking! ) but once they get older, they will trust you as a protector and food source. And Kel is right.... They will follow you all over the place! I have a couple that will stand at the back slider and look in at me! I have two others that, while I'm using a shovel to dig up worms, will hop ON the shovel where my foot should go! They must be trying to help!
I can't wait until they can go outside...only because I want to see what they do..lol... I do like having them inside..I can keep a close eye on them , but they can't stay forever!! We are preparing their pen out in the back yard....My hubby is busy building nest boxes and roosts. He wasn't thrilled with the idea of chickens, but now that they are here..he love them..he didn't think they would have such neat personalities...they each have their own...we have the nosey boxes and the scardy cats. So far I am just in love with them. I can't wait to have my little followers out side!!!