How to keep your chickens friendly?

[bkuhn]

We just picked up some chicks at the farm store to replace our current flock next year. Our current chickens were purchased as adults and seem to have little interest in people. We'd like the chicks to be friendly and come to us.

We've been holding them for a little while each day and though they are getting less afraid of us, I haven't figured out yet how to get them excited to see us. With our other animals I'd find some tasty treat to give them every time we are around so that they make a good association. But I haven't found yet what excites these little guys.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Something they really like maybe other than their starter crumble?

Thanks!
Brad

[dreams_in_color]

I am bumping this to the top because I plan on getting chicks and would like mine to be friendly. SO I am hoping someone will answer your question.

[bee_pipes]

We use scratch grains - just get a bag of scratch from your feed store. We call them every time we throw out scratch, now they come running every time we call them. We have guineas that are very skitish and will do anything to avoid being handled, but they still come running when called. We used to lock up all the poultry every night, but now we just let the guineas roost outside and lock up the chickens. Scratch is what we use to get them in the pen - they just wander in the house to roost when they decide it's time to sleep.

Some breeds of chicken are very agressive - you need to have a breed with a mellow disposition. Other than that - handle the chicks frequently.

Regards,
Pat

[flatwater]

My X mother-in-law had a pet chicken, she was known as the chicken whisperer. But I think her chicken was deaf. In the end her chicken died of starvation because she cut its beak to far back. I just don't know which was dumber her or the chicken.
Flatwater

[annabella1]

Millet is a special treat all birds like. Give it to them straight from your hand. They will run to you when they see you coming.

[CountryKitty]

That really cheap, brick red, X-shaped catfood works too...they LOOOOOOVE it!