Best ways to pet a chick

[DenverChickFam]

Are there any special ways to pet chicks that they just love? (Like dogs getting scratched behind their ears or belly rubs) wondering if there's any spot a little chick just loves.

We are working on getting ours comfortable with being held and petted. They still are a bit skittish at one and two weeks but not terribly so. I like holding them just over the ground before setting them down and letting them "roost" on my hand for a few seconds. Any other good tricks to making them comfortable and social?

 

[SJchickens]

My chicks are most happy when I plop them down on my leg, and stroke them again and again starting at their head and going all the way to their back. They just love it! Also, to make them more comfortable, try feeding them with your hand.

Oh, and unlike dogs, they hate being scratched on their bellies! At least mine do. They squirm all around until they are right side up again.

Good luck w/ your chicks!

 

[DenverChickFam]

Thanks, @SJchickens! Great tips We are loving this new addition to our family!

 

[azygous]

Oh, absolutely! All chickens adore having their ears gently tickled. It feels just as good to them as having your ears tickled feels to you.

And they all love having their wing pits tickled.

But the thing a lot of baby chicks like is to snuggle up underneath your chin, and also being cuddled between your arm and your body with their little head sort of hidden from the world. Most will fall right to sleep.

All of these things big chickens like, too. If you have a chick that likes cuddles, it will probably love cuddles as an adult chicken. Even some roosters.

 

[tamberchick]

I have a pullet I raised, she was completely alone with my for a weekend. I had her put 24/7 she loved to cuddle behind my hair, and loved her tummy rubbed, which I think that part depends on the chicken lol. I dont exactly try to make mine friendly, a lot of my pullets just tolerate me coming in, grabbing them and checking them over, than right back to foraging. One of my pullets has been fascinated by humans since day one, and will sit on your shoulder. I work more with my roos.