| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| LakeOntarioFarmgirl |
Posted - Apr 14 2010 : 09:46:38 AM
Not a fun day. My brooder's too small, even though it is a huuugee cardboard box. The big chicks- who are about 1-2 weeks older than the smaller ones are bullying my laying hens. And me. Every time I try to get in there to socialize my layers, I get pecked, stepped on, flown at, and just generally abused by these older chicks.(meat chicks)
And there are only 6 older chicks and 28 younger ones.
I just made them an even bigger box, and am trying to figure out how to block off the meat chicks, so that I can try to hold my babies. I want them to like me, not be afraid of me!  the babies I mean.
I've told the meaties their days are numbered- maybe they're mad at me?
Sigh.... someone give me some hints on how to help my layers to not be afraid of me? I try to pick them up often, but they peep and peep when I do. They are 1 week old today, will it take a little time?
Brenda
FarmGirl # 711
Nothing we achieve in this world is achieved alone. It is always achieved with others teaching us along the way. Lee J. Colan
http://theviewfromhere-brenda.blogspot.com/ |
| 5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| nancypo |
Posted - Apr 18 2010 : 10:28:16 AM
I handle mine (about 5 weeks or so) several times a day. When mine were that age, if you kept them cupped in my hand they fell asleep! They fuss at first then calm right down and like to sit on my sholder now. I LOVE the rattle idea! Excellent!
Be the change... |
| LakeOntarioFarmgirl |
Posted - Apr 14 2010 : 5:51:29 PM
Thank you ladies for making me feel better!! I guess I was expecting too much from them...they are still just babies. :) I do want them to like me.... the layers at least!
I did sit and talk to them tonight, and noticed that when I do sit there and talk it is the same ones that come running over and stare at me. They even let me put my hand near them. I have to watch for those mean old meaties then though, lol!
I have 6 Buff Orpingtons, they're pretty curious, 5 Barred Rocks, by far the most mischievous, 5 New Hampshire Reds, who are so far the friendliest, and 5 Golden Laced Wyandottes, who are the next friendliest. Then there are the 12 meaties, 6 big and 6 small.
I will say they are happier and hopefully will be a little calmer in their nice big box. It's about 6' long by 4' wide, so it should keep them for awhile.
Brenda
FarmGirl # 711
Nothing we achieve in this world is achieved alone. It is always achieved with others teaching us along the way. Lee J. Colan
http://theviewfromhere-brenda.blogspot.com/ |
| msdoolittle |
Posted - Apr 14 2010 : 10:41:43 AM
Hi Brenda! What laying breeds do you have? Also, if your chicks are just a week old, don't EVEN worry! Lol. In my short experience of raising several batches of chicks, it seems to me that their true personalities do not emerge until they are much older than a week. For example, with this current batch I have, who just turned 5-6 weeks, they are just now really allowing me to pick them up without constant peeping. With all of my Silkies, it seems to take several months before they truly don't mind being held. Granted, I do not handle every chick every day...I just don't have time! But as they get older, even like 5+ months, you will notice them really settling down and 'chilling out'. All of my hens 1+ years are pretty docile if not downright tame. Now, I do have a couple of Cochins who are not so tame, but they were rescues, and pretty much feral adults when I got them. AND, my white Leghorns are skittish, as they are known to be. However, they do tolerate my presence well, and they don't try to run away unless I am reaching out to them.
Have patience, and they'll come around! :0)
Adventures in Homesteading!
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Apr 14 2010 : 09:58:56 AM
My hens are not pets either. They aren't afraid of me though. Except the crazy game hens. They are pshyco birds. Anyway, my Buffs are the sweetest hens and so is Jimmy B. now. He never runs from me. The other whacky roo does. I hope you can get them all separated soon. I am going to have a problem with meat birds too. I am going to be getting at least 75 of them. But they will be mostly contained to a certain area. The layers are all over the place. I wish you luck. I wish I had some good advice other than don't get too frustrated with them. They are just being who they are.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| gramadinah |
Posted - Apr 14 2010 : 09:54:08 AM
I never picked them up or anything and when they finally got out side any time I would rattle a plastic container filled with a treat usually cracked corn they would come running. It is how I would get them to go in at night. It is all in the food and the treats they get in my estimation. And I really don't want them to be pets because then I start thinking. Ya know what I mean. It took me awhile before I could sit down and eat a egg and I would never be able to eat the bird.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
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