Scared Baby Chicks! How to Socialize Chicks Properly?

[MissChickadee]

I just picked up 4 baby cicks for the first time 2 days ago (a Golden Sex Link, Barred Rock, Ameraucana, and Silkie) from our local feed store. They are 6 days old today. I want to make sure they are properly socialized and that they get used to me and my husband. Right now they seem terrified every time we come near their box though and run from my hand when I get it near them. We started picking them up a little bit here and there yesterday to try and get them used to that. After being in our hands for a few minutes they quiet down but they definately aren't comfortable and want to be back in ther box with eachother. My questions are 1) is this normal? I assume it probably takes a little while for them to warm up to a person, especially after being moved from the store to our home? 2) Is the a good aproach to socializing chickens, handling them a little more day by day? 3) Does anyone have any other tips for getting my little chickadees to be happy social little birds? Thanks so much!

 

[Mtn Laurel]

Food.

Put some mashed hard boiled egg in your hand and place your hand on the brooder floor. They'll be crawling all over you before you know it!

 

[nab58]

Another food they love is freeze dried meal worms! they go crazy over them. feed them one by one by hand.

Mine aren't crazy about being picked up but I do it anyway and reward them with a treat. I've also tried clucking and speaking softly to them.

 

[MissChickadee]

Thanks so much for your suggestions! I didn't know if it was ok to feed them anything other than the starter feed that I got from the store since they are so young. I've tried feeding that to them out of my hand but they aren't too excited by it.....I will try the hardboiled eggs tonight since I just made some this moring, and I may have to see about getting some meal worms too! I'll let you know how it works! Thanks again!

 

[DixieChicken78]

All you're describing is normal. Spend lots of time with them doing what you're doing. They'll warm up to you! .

 

[CedarAcres]

Definitely do the mashed hard boiled egg! They love it.. and they will run to you everytime they see you in hopes you have some. Tasty snacks really help them get over their fears!

 

[onebusymom]

I'm a new chicken mama too. 5 cochins (1 week) and 5 orpingtons (3 days). I've got them set up in the brooder and everyone seems happy. Mine have exhibited similar behaviors. I just keep trying to get them used to me. I've been doing tons of research and am finding my way.

They are the funniest, most adorable things I've seen!!

There's a great link on BYC that was very helpful.https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-to-socialize-baby-chickens

 

[fiddlebanshee]

Bribery, that's all that it comes down to. But I must also say that this kind of behavior really varies from batch to batch. My unscientific theory is that if there are a couple of super skittish chicks in the group, the others will start mimicking that to a certain extent and they all end up being less trusting of me than when there are no skittish ones. I guess this is a useful behavior in the wild where it is safer to be very afraid of everything then so trusting that you'll be eaten by the first thing that comes around. Part of the instinct of being a prey animal. I've noticed that there is quite a bit of variety in character and attitude between individual birds. I'd even go so far as to say that it isn't necessarily breed related (which I thought at first, but am now not so sure about), it's all about individuality.

You may be able to modify this behavior for some of the less skittish ones with patience and bribes.

 

[sandysylvester]

I am going to try this too. Thanks for the advice! I have my 2nd batch of chicks this year. I do talk to them, pick them up a little. Then again, last batch once they got to laying age were crazy! Sitting in chair with me, preening my hair....they can be quite smothering at times! LOL

 

[MissChickadee]

Thanks for all the great tips! I tried the hard boild egg last night and litteraly had the chicks eatting out of my hand! All of the chicks went crazy over it, and all were content with me holding them and eatting out of mine and my husband's hand. Well I should say all, excpet our Silkie. She is definately the most skiddish and will jump out of our hands trying to fly away when we pick her up. Not sure if this is more common with Silkies?? Here is a pic of me and Little Miss Daisy