BarbaraJ Posted March 12, 2008 Share Posted March 12, 2008 I have had my chooks since Saturday, all feeding well though not keen on any treats yet apart from mixed corn which they go nuts for. I just expected them to get used to me quicker i suppose, i have been in the run with them and they tend to hide in the corner, tried corn on my hand no way they were coming anywhere near me. they are ok when i'm outside run but soon as i go in they run to the other end, am i ust impatient, how do you get them to come near you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted March 12, 2008 Share Posted March 12, 2008 Just take it slowly with them and it'll be fine. I know its hard when you want them to be more like pets, but if you spend time around them where they're comfortable then thye'll soon get used to you. Mine were funny about treats at first, too, but they soon learn! This time next week you'll notice the difference and it'll keep improving, honest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraJ Posted March 12, 2008 Author Share Posted March 12, 2008 thanks i know they seem happy just wanted to let them in the garden this weekend but worried that if their not keen on me yet or treats i won't get them back in the run lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina C Posted March 12, 2008 Share Posted March 12, 2008 Let them out late afternoon - they won't go far and they should go home to bed quite easily. It won't be long before they are tripping you up all the time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 12, 2008 Share Posted March 12, 2008 I take it that they are youngsters? They will be much more biddable when they start to lay. In the meantime, persist in getting them used to associating you with treats and try taking them out of the eggport at night for a cuddle - they will be drowsy then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraJ Posted March 12, 2008 Author Share Posted March 12, 2008 Yeah i saw that on here that its god to take them out in the evening, mind you not been keen on going out in the evening the last few days lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted March 12, 2008 Share Posted March 12, 2008 It takes them about a week to settle into their new surroundings - until that point they are wary of everything, trying to work out if it is a threat or not. Just talk to them quietly, and work your way up from there. Once they are free-ranging you can scatter a few treats (a small handful of mixed corn is ideal) and gradually reduce the distance between you and them - before you know it, they will be eating out of your hand, literally! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRC99 Posted March 12, 2008 Share Posted March 12, 2008 Mine didn't want to know us for the first week or so. They cowered or ran whenever we approached and, if we had to handle them, they would make a real racket. Now they are much more approachable and quite happily follow us around whenever we're in the garden. If one of us goes inside, they are hanging around at the back door waiting for us to come back. Just give them time, plenty of treats (although only in the afternoon!) and they'll get used to you very quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 12, 2008 Share Posted March 12, 2008 The taking them out of the egg port tip is a good one, as not only does it get them used to you....it also gets you used to handling them and builds confidence. In a few weeks time you will be surrounded by them as soon as you open the door. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hilda-and-evadne Posted March 12, 2008 Share Posted March 12, 2008 plenty of treats (although only in the afternoon!) and they'll get used to you very quickly. Thanks to this forum, my hens and I started right away as we mean to go on - with treats arriving any time after 3.00pm. I gave them maize corn on the cob for the first time this week and, wow, that is popular - I must see if I can grow some from seed this summer. They like the suspended half-cabbage much more than the suspended broccoli. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraJ Posted March 12, 2008 Author Share Posted March 12, 2008 thanks for the tips, when you say suspended cabbage i have some chain that i used for their water dispenser but what do you attach the chain to the cabbage/brocolli with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 12, 2008 Share Posted March 12, 2008 I just tie it up with a bit of string. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chillicat Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 Hi - I was the same, got them on the Weds and we were all prepared for the "letting out" ceremony, planned for the Sunday evening, but it just didn't feel right. They weren't ready as they were wary of any treats offered and I didn't trust them to come back in, so we are going to try this weekend. I read on the forum that if you put the treats in the same bowl everytime, they will quickly get used to that particular bowl. Worked perfectly After just two days they now greet me at their door, clambering to get to the treats. So far we've tried raisins , spaghetti , porridge , cabbage and sweetcorn . Not tried the broccoli yet! Won't be long before they know who mummy is . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hilda-and-evadne Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 thanks for the tips, when you say suspended cabbage i have some chain that i used for their water dispenser but what do you attach the chain to the cabbage/brocolli with? I cut the (white) cabbage in half from top to bottom, punched a hole through the solid bit (stalk inside the leaves) with a screw driver and then pushed one end of a length of heavy-duty green garden wire through the hole and twisted it round securely. The other end of the wire I attached to the wire mesh of the run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 Try training them by making the same noise each time you give them treats.. whistle, or sing, something like that. Then they will come each time you make that noise. It's purely Pavolvian - they are 'beak-led' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 The way to a chicken's heart is certainly through it's stomach! I've been digging in the garden over the last few days and they go mad for all the worms. Slows me down a lot though as they keep getting under my fork. All their inhibitions are forgotten when it comes to food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
