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| One of the chicks checking out an older hen. |
I let Ellie raise these chicks on her own and I didn't interfere too much, so they are definitely more wild than the chicks I have raised myself from just a few days old. I want Ellie's chicks to be more comfortable around me, so I decided to bribe them with some black oil sunflower seeds - their favorite treat! At first I threw the seeds away from me and as soon as they hit the ground, the chicks were all over them, scrambling and jumping over each other to get a bite.
I threw a couple very small handfuls to them this way until they got comfortable enough to come a little bit closer, then I put some seeds in my hand to see what they'd do.
They were wary at first, so I let some seeds slip through my fingers to land on the ground right below me and they came up to eat those seeds. Eventually, they realized my hand was full of goodies and dug in.
I think they are a little too smart for their own good, because once they were eating out of my hand, they realized instead they could just go straight to the source.
Smart chickies going right for the bucket! Now that they're eating out of my hand, the next step is petting them. I hope I can make some progress on that soon.
How do you get your chicks to warm up to you?
~Tammy
Shared with From the Farm Blog Hop
How lovely!
ReplyDeleteI don't have chicks but when I got new hens I would do the same as you with hand feeding seeds. But whilst they eat from my hand I used my pointer/index finger to stroke their necks at the same time.
I'm working on one of my RI Reds as she has been cranky from the get go! ( unlike any of my other birds) I've been offering her grapes and even though she is still a little leery, we are definitely making progress. Good luck with Ellies chicks...it looks like they love you already!
ReplyDeleteso cute! glad they're smart!
ReplyDeleteWe don't have chickens but our Auntie does. We love to visit and are going this weekend to celebrate her youngest's 3rd birthday. I just love to see my kids talking and interacting and they are friendly in return! One of my favorite pictures is from last Summer - my girls with their chicken friends! I love your pictures, as always - they are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSo cute! I agree with broody raised babies. In a way they're better "wild" chickens. They learn to forage faster, dust bathe faster, roost, etc.. but they're usually not as people friendly because they're not used to being held like human raised babies. I'll have to try this with my bunch of broody raised chicks!
ReplyDeleteHaha! Ours are very standoffish too since their broody mama HATES being handled/near us. But they will definitely come closer for treats. It's funny because the young roosters will come right up to me and several will let me pick them up, etc. and are pretty friendly. The young pullets on the other hand, are much more wary. Glad to hear they are warming up to you :)
ReplyDeleteSuper cute! Loved the video. Keep up the good work, I'm sure those chicks will be your bffs real soon.
ReplyDeleteso cute, this is so adorable! enjoyed the video and your photos are simply great!
ReplyDeletehappy weekend!
big hugs~
This is so beautiful! You are so fortunate Tammy to have a homestead! I wish I did!!!:(
ReplyDeleteSWEET! I love enjoying your homestead with you. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThey've gotten so big! Seems like just yesterday they hatched :-)
ReplyDeleteYou're doing well Tammy, you chicken whisperer! My brother (who bred numerous types of chooks when he was a teenager) tells me that the heavy breeds are the friendliest, this goes for roosters too. We have a hen who is a Dorking-Araucana cross, and she is completely wild. No amount of cajoling will soften her! Our friendliest hen in Betty the Orpington, she loves getting extra food from my hand. S:)
ReplyDeleteI loved the video! I hope to have chickens someday - but that may be a ways off. For now, I'm really enjoying yours!
ReplyDeleteTammy, I can't believe how big Ellie's chicks have gotten! Amy has a parakeet that we've been trying to tame for several years. We haven't had much luck, Sometimes I think she enjoys being wild!
ReplyDeleteHi Tammy - Darling chicks. I began my chick-rearing by making the same sound each time I hand-fed them. (in this case, "tut-tut-tut". Now, wherever they are, they come running when I call, "tut, tut, tut." ....makes it look like they adore me. :)
ReplyDeleteSo very cute!!! I love when you share video's!
ReplyDeleteI used to hang out with them for a bit each day. Just being next to them, they would get used to me. You have some beauties.
ReplyDeleteOh i love your chickie pics! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteI think you need an Adrian. He'd be pushing them in his dump truck in no time. I swear that kid is the chicken whisperer. :)
ReplyDeleteThey're beautiful!
ReplyDeletePatience really pays off. Enjoy your chickies.
ReplyDeleteTammy, Ellie's chicks are growing up fast. So glad they are warming up to you! I think the sunflower seeds is the trick. Cute photos and I loved the video. Have a happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteIf they are anything like men, the way to their heart is through their stomach, so feeding them will help :) Hopefully.
ReplyDeleteWhat pretty chicks! And I love the video of them eating out of your hand!
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty cool how they deduced that they could eat from the source after eating from your hand. Animals are so smart aren't they!!
ReplyDeleteLovely they are little smart chicks love them :)
ReplyDeleteIt didn't take your chicks long to eat from your hand. That was a cute video.
ReplyDeleteTo get my chicks to warm up, I slowly put my hand in the brooder without rings on my fingers - because they will peck at anything shiny. Then I got them used to me very gently tickling under their chins and down their backs. I started feeding them by hand about a week later...after they learned that my fingers weren't food. :-)
It's nice that you're gentle and patient with them!! They're beauties too!
ReplyDeleteI do the same thing your doing Tammy .
ReplyDeleteChicks rsised by the hens are sometimes standoffish for a bit.
Mom hens teach them to stay out of situations as babies she calls them away it keep them safe from situations .
Once they seperate from mom for good, they aren' t quite sure what to do with the new situation and are wary for a while.
Hand feeding helps a lot with letting them know your not a threat to them :)
I miss watching baby chicks running around after their mom! Nothing quite as adorable.
ReplyDeleteGlad yours are doing so well!
This is darling Tammy and I so wish I could see this in person:) My girlfriend isn't planning on having chicks anytime soon. She says "..too many roosters" and apparently there has been issues with fighting.
ReplyDeleteHow quickly they are growing!! You're going to have them chasing after you soon!
ReplyDeleteI can remember the story of "feather Legs"...lol This group of chicks has always been smart and a lot of fun for you. I am sure they will cozy up to you soon. they know where the good stuff is...Blessings!
ReplyDeleteThey are adorable. Every time I read your blog it makes me want to move out of the city and find some space of my own.
ReplyDeleteSmart chickies!
ReplyDeleteThey are so cute...I'm sure you'll be petting them soon!
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard, isn't it? We've had the same issues with those raised by our loved Mama Claire. We do the same as well as in the evening, once everyone is settled and roosted, picking each of them up, petting them and talking softly to them. Kind of like a chicken whisperer. :) This gets our scent on them and gets them immune to human hands coming at them.
ReplyDeleteThey are so adorable! I wish we had more land for chickens :)
ReplyDelete