Whats the best way to get them in your hand?

[Sgsf]

I've had my White Silkies for about 1-2 months now. I'm very curious about how to be able to pick them up. I've never picked them up with them walking in my hand, and of course I've never picked them up unless they were comfortable to be picked up. Whenever I open up the chicken home's door, the White Silkies rush at me for treats like crickets or so (maybe thats why, or they just <3 me). So, it's to the point where I can pet them smoothly and slowly without them getting scared or running away. What would be the best way for the Silkies to get use to me, even more?

Thanks.

Edit: They are about 1-2 months old. (But small enough to go into cupped hands, but not sure if they'd feel comfortable then?)

 

[Dar]

I have had my silkies for a year now... they were hatched in my dining room and held from day one....

I still cant hold them. I can pick them up from the nest when they are broody (which is all the time) but for them to come running and then have them walk into my hand...ummm I dont know if that a reasonable goal... I may be wrong but from my experience with silkies... its not going to happen

 

[Sgsf]

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Oh, alright. Guess thats fine. And how are the Silkies doing?

 

[chocolate m'scovy]

Try sitting down and pouring food in your lap, when they're hungry of course. If this doesn't work simply sit beside them while they're eating.

 

[Dar]

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Oh, alright. Guess thats fine. And how are the Silkies doing?

they are doing fine... they run awau from everyone when we walk up to them. My DD will sit in the coop and hand feed everyone silkies included.. my BSL and my EE's will come and jump in her lap but the silkies wont they just seem more skittish then the others

 

[medan]

I get the legs and take control they flap some then calm down be gentile and let them finish flapping (its a good work out for wings ) they will calm down the more you handle them

 

[Boo-Boo's Mama]

My BO are that way...act like I'm going to kill them. The RSL and youngest crowd line up to be held...maybe one day I will hit on a treat that will bring the BO's around.

 

[Sgsf]

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Are you sure that's a good thing to do?

 

[Dar]

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wow thats harsh and aggressive... not to mention traumatic for the chicken.. and you can risk breaking a leg....

but to each their own i suppose

 

[Boo-Boo's Mama]

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When I started picking them up, I slowly slipped 2 fingers under the bird and lifted them up out of the brooder. Most of the time they would go limp and lay in my hand. I do not grab their legs...do not want them flapping their wings...don't want them afraid of me. Out of the 22 chicks just 5 are shy and do now want to be picked up and held...as I said 17 of them line up waiting to be picked up and held. The youngest don't wait...they jump up to the side of the brooder and then onto my lap or hand while I'm feeding.