How to train baby chicks? (2024)

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  • Raising Baby Chicks
  • Thread starterlightchick
  • Start dateMay 10, 2014

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  • May 10, 2014
  • #1

lightchick

Crowing

6 Years

Apr 3, 2014
4,586
328
316
Minnesota

PLEASE ANSWER.......I love to hear LOTS of opinions.
I have a 11 day old chick that hates being grabbed....she shrieks and struggles when I grab her. What can I do? She will fall asleep on my lap if she's there long enough.......I think she's the boss pullet....she's the only one that stands up to the male chicks.
I just want my chicks to LOVE me and follow me around.
All of my chick when I take them outside come when I call "Here chickchickchick".
MOST of the time they all come.....OH and when they get scared they will run under me.
ALSO I was wondering how to teach a chick it's name?

  • May 10, 2014
  • Thread starter
  • #3

lightchick

Crowing

6 Years

Apr 3, 2014
4,586
328
316
Minnesota

hxgumdrop said:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-all-new-how-to-train-your-chicken

Thanks, but I just looked there.....need more suggestions.

  • May 10, 2014
  • #4

hxgumdrop

Chirping

6 Years

Jul 29, 2013
218
21
73
Bristol, England

Are you speaking to her before u grab her? Sometimes it can just b the fright of not knowing whats aboit to happen. Try tempting her closer with treats then picking her up or giving a treat as soon as u pick her up. It may take a while but she will soon get used to being picked up. For learning their names u need to juat keep saying it when handeling them again takes a while but worth the wait. Hope this is morr helpful.

  • May 10, 2014
  • Thread starter
  • #5

Apr 3, 2014
4,586
328
316
Minnesota

hxgumdrop said:

Are you speaking to her before u grab her? Sometimes it can just b the fright of not knowing whats aboit to happen. Try tempting her closer with treats then picking her up or giving a treat as soon as u pick her up. It may take a while but she will soon get used to being picked up. For learning their names u need to juat keep saying it when handeling them again takes a while but worth the wait. Hope this is morr helpful.

Thank you! She also runs away when I'm trying to pick her up. Anything that could help with that?

  • May 10, 2014
  • #6

hxgumdrop

Chirping

6 Years

Jul 29, 2013
218
21
73
Bristol, England

Treats will keep her attention on you. As they are still really younge they need to build their confidence with you. As they get older and learn that you bring food they will be more happy to be handled. Also when they are laying they squat when u go to pick them up which makes it so much easier to grab!

  • May 12, 2014
  • Thread starter
  • #7

lightchick

Crowing

6 Years

Apr 3, 2014
4,586
328
316
Minnesota

hxgumdrop said:

Treats will keep her attention on you. As they are still really younge they need to build their confidence with you. As they get older and learn that you bring food they will be more happy to be handled. Also when they are laying they squat when u go to pick them up which makes it so much easier to grab!

I can't find any treats that they like! I've tried worms, egg, other bugs and chick starter.
I NEED help! The extra males that the hatchery sent us are friendlier and when I stick my hand in the brooder they will jump up on it.
I'm going to have to get rid of the extra males when their older! And the chicks that I'm going to keep aren't very tame at all!

What am I doing wrong! PLEASE HELP ME!

  • May 12, 2014
  • #8

hxgumdrop

Chirping

6 Years

Jul 29, 2013
218
21
73
Bristol, England

My girls favourites are raisins, grapes and raspberries. They do anything for those! Pear and banana are close behind. They can eat anything apart from cheese, chocolate, salty peanuts or oranges/kiwi other citrusy fruits. So not much they cant have really so just keep trying different things til u find their faves How to train baby chicks? (9) somethimes they need to try it a couple times as they cab be wary for the first time trying something

  • May 12, 2014
  • Thread starter
  • #9

lightchick

Crowing

6 Years

Apr 3, 2014
4,586
328
316
Minnesota

Thank you! My chicks didn't like lettuce either. I hope they like something!

  • May 12, 2014
  • #10

hxgumdrop

Chirping

6 Years

Jul 29, 2013
218
21
73
Bristol, England

Bread is another fave but dont give them too much. Mine aren't a fan of lettuce either. Cus they are still younge if u give them grapes u may need to break them up a bit unless they have learnt how to shake food until it breaks themselves How to train baby chicks? (12) good luck

How to train baby chicks? (2024)

FAQs

How to train baby chicks? ›

If they're chicks, pick them up and spend some one-on-one time with them every day. Let them see your face and talk to them. They will get comfortable with you and even nap in your hands or on your lap. For older chickens, bring something to sit on and relax near their roaming area.

How do you bond with baby chicks? ›

If they're chicks, pick them up and spend some one-on-one time with them every day. Let them see your face and talk to them. They will get comfortable with you and even nap in your hands or on your lap. For older chickens, bring something to sit on and relax near their roaming area.

What not to do with baby chicks? ›

Don't use a cage, cages have no walls and they make chicks feel insecure, they'll feel like their out in the open and vulnerable to predators, plus when you try to pick up the baby chicks it will be easy for them to run away from you. Don't use a cheaply made brooder box that can be broken into.

Do baby chicks like to be held? ›

I think it's very important to hold your chicks and let them feel your heartbeat and body warmth. They love to snuggle in your hand against your skin, cozy and safe.

Do chicks get attached to their owners? ›

Most people don't get chickens for affection, however many owners will agree that they share a special bond with their chickens. Just as dogs are devoted and loyal, chickens show their affection for example by following you around. They can even run to you when you call them or eat treats out of your hand.

Do chicks get attached to humans? ›

Chickens can bond with their owners, much like other domesticated pets. While holding hens may not be what immediately comes to mind when people envision owning chickens, there are breeds that will tolerate or even enjoy being held by their owners.

Is it OK to cuddle baby chicks? ›

8, he hopes people don't hug and kiss baby chicks and chickens without proper awareness and precautions. While the idea of snuggling up to these fluffy feathered friends may warm your heart, it's essential to consider the well-being of the chickens as well as those who handle them. Greg Archer, Ph.

Can you hold a baby chick too much? ›

Do keep in mind that baby chicks are already stressed from transport and will need time to adjust and acclimate to their new surroundings. While it's OK to handle a baby chick from time to time, the best results come with as little handling as possible.

Why are my chicks chirping at night? ›

Chicks will chirp because they are either calling out to others and is distressed, is cold, needs feeding and a drink and will chirp until its needs are met or until its worn out and tired.

What treats can baby chicks eat? ›

Lettuce, kale, turnip greens and chard are great greens options. Watermelon, strawberries, and blueberries make healthy snacks for chickens when fed in moderation.

How do chicks imprint on humans? ›

When a baby chick hatches from the egg, the chick imprints on the first moving object that it sees. The chick believes the imprinted object to be its mother, even if that object is a human being.

How often should I check on baby chicks? ›

We keep the large plastic storage container close by for the first 24 hours and check on them every 1-2 hours. After 24 hours of caring for baby chicks, we generally move them to a larger brooder box in the basem*nt (while still checking on them very frequently!)

Where should baby chicks be kept? ›

Location. Find a warm, dry and well-ventilated location to set up the brooder. Adult birds may injure growing chicks, so a brooder placed inside an existing coop should be isolated from the flock using chicken wire. Garages, sunrooms or ventilated outbuildings all make great locations for this temporary housing.

Do baby chicks like to cuddle? ›

While chickens may not cuddle in the way humans do, they do display signs of affection and closeness. Chickens are tactile creatures, and they often engage in physical contact with each other. This can be observed when they huddle together for warmth or during preening and allopreening sessions.

How do you know when chicks are happy? ›

Happy chicks are quiet chicks.

When they huddle together away from the heat source, there is a draft coming from the opposite end of the brooder.

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