How do I safely handle my skittish chicks so they will be used to me? (1st timer here!)

[Spellbound4u]

So I was recently given 6 chicks from my MIL as an early birthday present. I have been wanting chickens, but I hadn't taken the plunge yet. I am a first time backyard chicken keeper. Anyways she got me 2 California White mixes, 2 Lavender Orpingtons, and 2 Golden Laced Wyandottes. They are about 11 days old as far as I know. They were picked up at a farm store. Both of the Whites are bigger then the other 4 chicks and are getting feathered faster. I don't know if its due to them maturing faster or if they might be a few days older. I'm new to all of this. lol But my question is how can I start to handle them so they get used to me and become less flighty and scared? I have been putting my hand in their brooder for a few minutes a couple times a day and they all just huddle and hide as far away from me as possible. The last few days I have been doing the same thing but with chick feed in my hand hoping to entice them with food and they do the same thing. My MIL says I need to hold them to get them used to me, but they act so scared it breaks my heart! She came over yesterday and just reached in and was trying to grab one as they were all running around screaming and I nearly had a heart attack! I would really like to know what has worked for other people and to hear suggestions on how I can help my chicks. Thank you all in advance! <3

 

[rosemarythyme]

If you have a secure place to do this (i.e. a bathroom with closed door, or if outdoors, a pen that the chicks can't easily run out of) try letting the chicks out and simply sit on the floor with them. Let them explore you as part of the environment.

 

[Uff Da]

We just reach in and grab them like your MIL does. They're fine. It doesn't harm them. If you don't handle them now, they won't be friendly when they are bigger, so if that is what you want, you have to get over your hesitation.

If it makes you feel any better, they freak out every time my kids or I try to grab them or the first few weeks. But soon they'll be seeking you put to sit on your lap while you are trying to type an email and no matter how much you shoo them away they'll keep jumping on to your keyboard and getting in the way!

 

[Uff Da]

If you have a secure place to do this (i.e. a bathroom with closed door, or if outdoors, a pen that the chicks can't easily run out of) try letting the chicks out and simply sit on the floor with them. Let them explore you as part of the environment.

I also do this!

 

[AppleMomma65]

As we have an orchard people come to, I wanted my chicks to like being around people - so here's what I did: I suggest getting some dried meal worms, sitting down as close to eye-level with the chicks as possible and hand feeding the meal worms (may need to crush up a bit) with a flat palm. I also wet down some of the chick crumble and put that in my hand to feed them (sort of a treat but not since it was their food). I did this several times a day - I called "Chick, chick, chick" when I did this - took only a few days for them to figure out when I called, that I usually had treats and they'd come. Now, that they are used to me, I will call "chick, chick, chick" without treats (sometimes with!) and they come. I also put them on my lap but so that they can see their mates. Gently pet their breast and neck feathers. Rub their little ears and this helps them to get used to you touching them. If they like the worms, you might also save a dried worm for them individually when you take them out to pet them. Of the twelve I have, I only have one - a black/blue splash Orpington that is skittish but I'm working on her.

 

[50-45-1]

I think you were on the right track with your food in the hand technique.
I would continue with that.
Remove the other food first for an hour, then put your hand food in and slightly wigle a couple fingers so they see the crumble. If they are not hungry, they may not be intrested.
This has worked for me many times. One recognises the food and bravely comes over, soon they all join in.
you must have patience.

 

[Spellbound4u]

Thank you guys so much! I will keep trying.

 

[AppleMomma65]

As we have an orchard people come to, I wanted my chicks to like being around people - so here's what I did: I suggest getting some dried meal worms, sitting down as close to eye-level with the chicks as possible and hand feeding the meal worms (may need to crush up a bit) with a flat palm. I also wet down some of the chick crumble and put that in my hand to feed them (sort of a treat but not since it was their food). I did this several times a day - I called "Chick, chick, chick" when I did this - took only a few days for them to figure out when I called, that I usually had treats and they'd come. Now, that they are used to me, I will call "chick, chick, chick" without treats (sometimes with!) and they come. I also put them on my lap but so that they can see their mates. Gently pet their breast and neck feathers. Rub their little ears and this helps them to get used to you touching them. If they like the worms, you might also save a dried worm for them individually when you take them out to pet them. Of the twelve I have, I only have one - a black/blue splash Orpington that is skittish but I'm working on her.

I also have "Coffee with Chickens" at 6:30 a.m. and "Cocktails with Chickens"at 5:00 p.m. every day. I sit with them so they can see me and get used to me. It sounds really silly but it seems to be working (and an excellent excuse to drink coffee and/or wine)!

 

[ColoradoPip]

Here is what I do...

Spend time around them without reaching for them. Sit in their room and take phone calls. Talk to them every time you walk by. Sit with the brooder door open and lay your arm down inside. Maybe even put some food in the open palm of your hand. Just let them come to you, they eventually will, at a minimum for the food. Sometimes I lift my arm a few inches off the brooder floor to give them a perch, they love it. Stay still and don't reach for them as much as you want! Let them decide to come to you

After doing that a couple of times, then I put a finger out and give them neck and head pats and rubs, under wing rubs, and such. Some like it some don't. All of them have gotten used to me and come see me though, so it must work a little

Keep doing this and before you know of they'll be flying out of the brooder to perch on you!

Now when I clean the brooder I can't keep them off of me or away from me long enough to clean!!

 

[calichooks]

i’m raising chicks right now too! i’m going to be selling most but i have around five that i’m definitely keeping. i handle them so much, let them sleep in my hands, talk to them, that if i put them on the ground and walk away, they’ll come running towards me to follow me! they love getting attention once you let them know you’re their mama! alls it takes is a lot of handling- and don’t mind that they seem scared. once you pick them up and they get to know you, it’ll be fine