WHy don't my chicks love me?

[leight54]

The best way I've found to pick them up without scaring them is this: Put your hand in the brooder, all the way to the floor, but not near the chick. Then slowly move your hand to the chick, keeping it low. Then either scoop the chick up or gently grab him from his own level.

This way your hand is not swooping down like a hawk!

 

[bakerjw]

I always try to come up with an alert saying when I approach. Like softly saying "Hey boys and girls" in a sing song voice. Mine are contained in a small transition coop so I make sure that I give notice before opening the door. Eventually they'll associate my calling with treats, a trip to the yard, fresh water and food, etc...

They are all skittish and run in fear at first but you can train them easily enough.

 

[lutz123]

What breed are they? I am new to chicks (3 weeks!) but my very limited experience is that ones I have vary tremendously in breed temperment. The BO's are the calmest and quietest, the RIRs are peering up and always first to come check out my hand - very little fear, and the BR's are loud and skittish when I approach but as they age I'm finding they are most relaxed being picked up. I actually think one of my RIR pullets may be a mean little thing when she grows up - I put two of them on the kitchen floor and one rushed at me a few times! She's maybe two weeks old. I also have two guinea keets that swear I am out to kill them!

Maybe it's just a phase!

 

[Grand-hen-ma]

When I first got my girls I would sit with them for a while every day. I talked softly to them and offer different treats. I make up a treat I call chicken mash and offer it to them every day. Now when they see me coming they know they are in for a treat and rush to me for a goodie. My mash is just cooked rice with a couple eggs and some cheese. Some time I'll add fruit, like grapes. They love grapes. If I bring grapes, the girls are all over me, on my head, shoulders and chair even before I have a chance to sit. I also hang cabbage in their pen and they love corn on the cob too.

 

[ginger c.]

Quote:
Stop eating buffalo wings in front of them.

Seriously, stick with much of the advice here. Our chicks were very aloof for the first few days. I went in and talked to them and picked them up a couple of times a day. Now, my SLW (abt 3 weeks old) runs over when I come into the room. I put my hand down and tell her, "Come to papa, elevator's going up" and she steps onto my hand.

It took a few more days for her to warm up to wifey.

The RIR (2 wks old) will bawk when I pick her up, but then quickly settle down and fall asleep in my hand.

The two Ameraucanas (2 wks old) still don't like to be held most of the time. But they sure love it when I bring them fresh worms from the garden.

So... be just patient and let them know you are a hen not a hawk.

GC's DH

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

ginger c. :

Quote:
Stop eating buffalo wings in front of them.

Seriously, stick with much of the advice here. Our chicks were very aloof for the first few days. I went in and talked to them and picked them up a couple of times a day. Now, my SLW (abt 3 weeks old) runs over when I come into the room. I put my hand down and tell her, "Come to papa, elevator's going up" and she steps onto my hand. It took a few more days for her to warm up to wifey.

The RIR (2 wks old) will bawk when I pick her up, but then quickly settle down and fall asleep in my hand.

The two Ameraucanas (2 wks old) still don't like to be held most of the time. But they sure love it when I bring them fresh worms from the garden.

So... be just patient and let them know you are a hen not a hawk.

GC's DH

Haha!

My chicks run away from me too. But once they are outside they are super friendly. I guess I would be scared too if a giant hand came into my home and was trying to pick me up!

 

[Delmar]

Quote:
I figured out a new trick yesterday. When I pick up one chick, I pick up two. I sit on the recliner with them on my lap. It seems to comfort them not to go alone.

 

[Sharksandguitars]

I have 2 week old bantams and the other day i fed them tiny tiny crushed potatoe chip from my hand. They quickly learned my hand meant treat

Tonight I took the least skittish and held it in my lap with a hand towel and it settled down fast and even fell asleep on me. I also take them out at least once a day ( I live down south, very warm) and sit on the ground and mostly they stay with me. I think the more you mess with them the tamer they will become.

 

[LilyD]

I found that sitting with them for a bit each day really helped. They have gotten used to me being around. Also any time they get curious about me I never reach over their heads. I always reach down towards the ground and their feet first. I leave them on the ground and just put my hand down in front of them with hard boiled egg on it. They will start by mobbing your hand because they want the food and then they will get comfortable enough they will start climbing on your hand to keep the others away from the food. Then I started petting their chest feathers, not their back. Now at almost 3 weeks they climb in my lap and want me to pet them all over. It's the coolest thing but I agree with what everyone says don't sweat it, it will just take them a bit to realize you don't want to eat them you just want to be their friend.

 

[Delmar]

I had two, week old chicks roosting on my arm this morning. It was so cute. My dog likes to nuzzle them with his nose. They don't care for that too much.