When will my chicks warm up to me?

[JaJoJu]

Thank you for all the fast responses and good info. I think I will buy some treats and see how that goes, and I will also continue to talk to them and let them dictate the relationship!

 

[NanaLantana]

I always handle mine a lot, whether they like it or not! Eventually, they like it. For very young chicks, I put a little towel on my lap, and take a chick or two, and cover them in the towel in my lap. Then I sit at the computer and read lots of BYC posts! They also need to know your voice. They like your body heat and movement - they get bonded better that way, I think. Also, it's good to hand feed them - let them pick food from your fingers. Let the kids hold them a lot - When they struggle, hold them a little tighter, like, 'you're not going anywhere" and they soon settle down and get secure in your hands. Mine are now about5 months old, and I can walk up to them in the yard, and they just stand there and wait for me to pick them up and kiss them! (I'm a 'take charge' mom - none of that fussy, you can come to me if you want to, stuff!) Have fun with your new chicks - they're only fragile at first!

 

[GoChick]

Mine are 8 months old now. They started to be really sweet when about to lay, around 20 weeks old. Now, they run to the gate as soon as they hear me, and follow me around everywhere. They are my garden helpers-as soon as they see me with a spade or a shovel, they come running, knowing they will find tasty worms. Hang in there, they'll come around, but it will take a while.

 

[CAdreaming]

@NanaLantana How many chickens do you have? Has your method worked with all your chickens or do you still have a few that are still reluctant? You method sounds like my nature but being new to raising chickens, I would be afraid to try that... their so tiny & cute & fuzzy... I think they would "squish" easily!!

 

[Velvet Hairpiece]

I'm definitely interested in this thread. I've got 8 chicks about 3 weeks old, and I want them to luuuurrrv me! I keep reading stories about people with their chickens sitting on their laps, carrying them around the yard, etc. We bought them from a feed store, so I didn't bond with them from hatch. Some would fall asleep in my lap...eventually. Now that they're older, they seem to be terrified of me. I talk to them every time I approach the brooder (which is inside in the sunroom) so they get used to my voice. They have gotten better about my hand coming in since I started giving them treats (tiny pieces of zucchini, carrots, strawberries, grapes, oats) but they freak out when I pick them up. One, the largest girl, I can feel her trembling the whole time. I hold her close to my body and she calms down eventually but as soon as I give her some slack she starts trembling and trying to get away again.

I am one of those types that aren't going to baby it. I feel like I need to be forceful; "I'm holding you until you calm down!" so perhaps they'll see me as the alpha chicken.

That kind of makes me sound like I'm mean to them! I assure you I'm not. I speak to them in a very soothing voice and try to remain calm so they can feel that energy. I just don't know what else to do. Some of them let me stroke them in the brooder, others run away screaming like I'm ripping their feathers out or something.

 

[Velvet Hairpiece]

I should probably also add that yesterday I was feeding them their little "treats" out of my hand when I decided to sit back in the stool that I usually sit on while feeding them so I don't hurt my back. Well...the stool apparently moved, so I fell on my arse, ended up kicking the brooder back into the wall, causing the lid to slam shut. When I got up, their food and water had been knocked over and they were all in a corner looking up at me as if to say "what, WOMAN!?!?!"

Needless to say they've been quite timid with me today. I hope this hasn't reversed my efforts!

 

[mywifewasonherenowiamalso]

yes but make sure you want to, they will be under foot. i hardly handle mine but they fly on my shoulders and swarm around me, even when i dont have food.

they are probably scared of you cause the brooder light is shining on them and they cant see you past it, only your hand grabbing them(or snake eating them in their mind)

 

[paigeandclyde]

i got 2 chicks about a week old 6 days ago. they don't like being picked up, but once i set them on my lap and cuddle them up in a little blanket or washcloth, they fall quiet and sometimes fall asleep. they really seem to like it when you gently bundle them up. that's how i win thier affection

 

[nurseshelly]

Quote:
Hi,
Holding them helps, so does just being around them without trying to hold them so they can used to you as a safe "thing" around them. Also treats work wonders!!!! If they are a few weeks old, put some grit into their area and give them some meal worms. After the first or second time, they will come running to you every time they see you because you = treats! Mine love weeds and grape leaves a lot too, but nothing is as yummy as meal worms!

 

[nurseshelly]

Oh, here's our Serama Rooster sleeping on my son's lap.

He comes inside at night and goes back out after 9am, since I"m in a HOA and don't want any trouble because of my roo. My son just lays him down and starts petting his face and "bam" he's sleeping! He'll stay there for hours with his little feet up in the air. My son just watches tv and gives Elvis his head rub