Will my chickens always be scared of us?

[FLMotoChick]

We've raised 5 out of the 7 girls from 2 weeks old. 1 is a Buff, 2 are Easter Eggers, & 2 are Barred Rocks. When we got them at the feed store, they scooped them up in a net and put them in a box (traumatic?). We've raised them since then with love; spent every day with them getting them use to our hands, letting them go outside while they were young to get a feel of nature, giving them "cage free" time. When they were younger they would jump into our laps and on our shoulders. Then they started to get a bit more mature and now they wont even let us touch them.

They keep running away every time we try to get on their level. They'll come to the gate when I call them to let them out and at night they'll come to me. Today one of them had trouble going back in, so I went to pick her up and when she was in my hands she freaked out.

They are 4 months old now. Will they always be this skiddish & scared of us or is this a hormonal thing? At least our silkies are sweet lol.

 

[Chickassan]

Oh no lol! They're teenagers they do that it will improve.

 

[OreoRooster]

It depends on the chook, we have a few hens that absolutely loves us and follows me around like a dog but some just decide their too good for humans and go solo, sometimes it's something that went wrong when they were younger or they just want to be independent.

 

[Latestarter]

Chickens have tiny brains... they get easily overloaded... As they get older and "adjust" to routine, some will "re-attach" to you and others won't... Probably the easiest way is to go out and sit with them and have lots of treats they like. Place the treats close to you and on you and let the chickens find them. Eventually, greed will have them climbing all over you looking for treats.

 

[Chickassan]

True you're going to have different personalities but the terror thing will definitely pass. They're just a little bit dumb right now alot like people teens so don't get upset it's natural and normal. Your babies are growing up.

It depends on the chook, we have a few hens that absolutely loves us and follows me around like a dog but some just decide their too good for humans and go solo, sometimes it's something that went wrong when they were younger or they just want to be independent.

 

[shearches]

Mine are 6-9 months and it really depends on the day lol!! It’s amazing that one that sat in your lap yesterday will act like you’re killing them by picking them up today