getting chicks used to you.

[The Hen Pecked House]

Hello, my babies are between 3 to 4 weeks. They are silkies! I was wondering how I could get them more tame, I talk to them and they talk back, when they hear me they beep A lot. I was wondering if it’s where they are so young, is why they are still skittish. When I hold them, they are so sweet and calm, they even go to sleep. Just when I walk by their tub, or put my hand it there at first they go crazy, and I have to chase them to hold them. 1 is more hyper then the other.

What’s some good signs they are getting used to you?

And suggestions to get them MORE used to you.

 

[Ericapd]

I sit on the floor and put them in my lap and they like to hop all ever me! When I set them on the floor and I’m sitting down with them, they will eventually hop onto my lap too. My chicks don’t really like being picked up, so I don’t try to push handling them too much. They do like me to warm them with my hands when they are sitting on me.

 

[Keeperofmunchkins]

I think you are doing very well already. If they are comfortable being held that's a great sign. Chickens are prey animals and baby chicks especially are instinctively aware of how vulnerable to predators they are. When your hand comes down toward them they are compelled by instinct to scatter. It helps if you can access the brooder from the side rather than reaching down to grab them. Scooping them up slowly from the side does not trigger their fleeing instincts in the same way.

Aside from that just spending as much time in close contact with them as possible is helpful. They become more mellow as they get older. Females especially are usually more skittish until they start laying.

With chicks even up to two months old, they love to snuggle up and have a nap. So i like to sit down with chicks on my chest and with a blanket on top (arranging it so there's a bit of a gap at the front for air!) and let them sleep. It helps them to see people as a source of warmth and comfort.

As they get older, introducing treats also wins points with them since they don't understand that you supply the food in their feeders and therefore do not see you as their provider.

 

[Essentiallyokanaganmom]

I have young children that picked up the chicks a ton from a day old...all but 2 of our 10 love people and will run over and want to roost on our arms now at 5.5 weeks. We just make sure to keep checking on them and handling them now that they are out in the coop but so far they are great pets!