My chooks don't like me

jennykable · #1 (**permalink**) 12-11-2008, 10:14 AM

Granted, we have only had them for 2 weeks and they had a harrowing couple of days: a trip in a cardboard box in the car in between two curious and over-excited boys; a new coup; a new environment to explore; cats to get used to.

My question is - how do I get them to stop running for cover everytime a human body appears? I feel sad for my scared chooks.

We throw food for them saying "chook chook chook" in the hope that they will associate us and that with food and we won't seem so bad after all, but to date they just pretty much ignore the food.

From afar they seem pretty content - they peck around the yard all day and have little dust bowls they roll in, and special spots under trees and shrubs in the shade where they sit.

Can I help them be less wary of us? Will they ever be friendly? I'd settle for just stand-off-ish - anything beats panic stricken!

Jenny

PS I should note that oldest child has "cuddled" them. He was doing the cuddling. They were doing the panicked stuggling.

emd · #2 (**permalink**) 12-11-2008, 12:02 PM

I don't think chooks are the smartest creatures I've ever seen. So perhaps just give it more time? Offering food works for most animals, chooks included. The other thing might be just to spend lots of time in the garden, doing your normal stuff and ignoring the chooks. They'll hopefully start to see you as part of the landscape who occasionally brings food.

possum · #3 (**permalink**) 12-11-2008, 12:45 PM

I agree with Emma just go about your business in the yard. do somr digging in the garden and they might get curious when the odd worm comes up

emmalee · #4 (**permalink**) 12-11-2008, 02:39 PM

We have some chooks. I think it just takes some time. Ours are more friendly now then when we first got them. Now my 2 year old can pick them up and cuddle them fairly easy. Ours also come running to us if they see we have food, but maybe ours are just greedy.

Bronnie · #5 (**permalink**) 12-11-2008, 08:28 PM

i don't think chooks are greedy, they just have tiny tummies

try approaching them with protein foods, they may prefer that

**sweetchili** · #6 (**permalink**) 12-11-2008, 08:52 PM

yep agree just give them time..mine were like that too to start..and we raised them from chicks.

since i started giving them scraps each morning they love me now!!!

lcorteen · #7 (**permalink**) 13-11-2008, 12:13 AM

Yep - same here! Our chooks have been with us for about 4 weeks and they are HEAPS more friendly and relaxed than when they first arrived. We didn't make any special effort to be calm around them and they are now used to our sudden movements and things we do in the backyard. They still duck when we make sudden moves, but they don't panic and run for cover like the used to. We can pat them as they walk past (sort of.... they still kind of run away, but not so fast that we can't give them a quick pat).

Our rabbits used to be like that too and I thought they would never be friendly and realise we were nice, but now they come up to us for a pat - they are too cute! And they are now free ranging with the chooks in the afternoon and then moving back into the henhouse with the chooks at dinner time. It is very cool! The kids are also a lot more patient with the chickens being scarey cats/chickens because they remember how long it took the rabbits to chill out.

Bakana · #8 (**permalink**) 13-11-2008, 11:20 AM

Im sure your chooks will love you in time

Just give them love in return

jennykable · #9 (**permalink**) 13-11-2008, 04:51 PM

thanks everyone. I'm feeling reassured now. Was just worried because I didn't want unhappy chookens. Today they followed me for a little bit, so things are looking up!

JoannaPrice · #10 (**permalink**) 16-11-2008, 11:00 AM

Did you get them young or as older chooks hon? By nature, some chooks will always be wary and 'duck for cover'. You do have to spend regular time with them trying to 'woo them'. Always talk quietly around them and teach your kiddies to do the same and to also walk around them, not run.

I'm looking forward to one day having our own property and I'll then get a couple of muscovy ducks. I don't want them for the eggs...I just LOVE muscovy ducks! They're like puppy dogs in some ways!

: I used to have one as a pet when young and she used to LOVE riding with my Dad and I on the motorbike round the yard. Sounds bizarre I know, but, I'd hold her on the gas tank and she'd go "quuuaacckk...quuacck", big smile on her face as though to show off to the other chooks and ducks. We'd also run around playing 'chasey's"!! Oh..SO funny! She was one of those crazy, one-in-a-million animals that'll you'd never, ever find again!

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