Are you looking for a way to make your backyard chickens like you? Chickens are a great addition to any homestead, but sometimes they can be a bit standoffish.
If you want to have a more meaningful relationship with your chickens, then you’ve come to the right place! In this article, I’ll show you how to get your chickens to like you in just 3 easy steps.
We’ll cover how to make yourself familiar to them, spending time around them, and talking to them.
Plus, I’ll reveal some additional tips, like providing treats and creating a safe and comfortable environment, to help you build trust and a lasting bond with your feathered friends.
So, let’s get started and learn how to get chickens to like you!
Table of Contents
Short Answer
Chickens generally respond positively to being handled gently and having a calm demeanor.
Taking the time to get to know the chickens, offering them treats, and providing them with plenty of room to explore and forage can also help build their trust.
It is also important to spend time with them regularly so they can become familiar and comfortable with you.
Finally, providing a safe and secure environment for the chickens will help them to feel secure and more likely to respond positively to your presence.
How to Make Yourself Familiar to Chickens
Making yourself familiar to chickens is a key component of getting them to like you. Chickens are naturally cautious and skittish, so it can take some time to gain their trust. Here are some tips to help you get started:
1. Spend time around them: Chickens are social creatures and they will gradually become more comfortable with you if you spend time near them. Try talking to them in a gentle tone of voice and dont make any sudden movements. You can also offer them treats, such as small pieces of fruit or vegetables, which will help them to associate you with positive experiences.
2. Create a safe and comfortable environment: Chickens need a secure place to live, so make sure they have plenty of space and a safe area that is free from predators. Its also important to keep their living area clean and provide them with fresh food and water each day.
3. Dont approach them when theyre sleeping or eating: Chickens tend to be more skittish when theyre sleeping or eating, so its best to avoid approaching them during these times. Instead, wait until theyre alert and active before trying to make contact.
By following these steps and being patient and gentle with your chickens, you should soon be able to establish a friendly relationship with them and theyll look forward to your visits.
With time and effort, you can teach your chickens to trust you and enjoy your company.
Spend Time Around Them
Spending time around chickens is the key to getting them to like you.
It can take some time for chickens to become familiar with a new person, so it’s important to take a slow and gentle approach.
Start by simply being around them, talking to them in a calm voice, and staying in their view.
Once they become accustomed to your presence, you can gradually move a little closer.
Remember to always be respectful and never approach them when they are sleeping or eating.
You can also give them treats, such as fresh vegetables, fruits, or mealworms.
This will help to build a positive association with you in the chickens’ minds.
Over time, they will learn to trust you and look forward to your visits.
If you are consistent in your approach, your chickens will soon become comfortable with you and enjoy your company.
Talk To Them
Talking to your chickens is a great way to build a strong bond and let them know that you are friendly and approachable.
When talking to them, use a soft, gentle voice and speak slowly so that they can understand you better.
You can also use simple words and phrases such as hello and good morning to start off on the right foot.
In addition to talking to your chickens, you can also use hand gestures and body language to further communicate with them.
For example, you can gesture towards food when offering them treats or stroke their feathers to show that you are friendly and trustworthy.
Another thing to keep in mind when talking to your chickens is to never startle or frighten them.
If you approach them too quickly or make sudden movements, they may become scared and run away.
Instead, take your time and slowly approach them until they become comfortable with your presence.
Finally, it is important to remember that chickens have their own unique personalities and preferences.
Some chickens may be more outgoing and curious while others may be more shy and reserved.
You should treat each chicken as an individual and adjust your approach accordingly.
With patience and a gentle approach, you can soon establish a friendly relationship with your chickens and they’ll look forward to your visits.
Provide Them With Treats
One of the best ways to get chickens to like you is to provide them with treats.
Chickens will be more likely to approach you if they know there is something special waiting for them.
Treats can include anything from scratch grain and mealworms to fresh vegetables and fruits.
You can also offer cooked treats like oatmeal or cornbread.
Just make sure that any treats you give your chickens are safe for them to eat.
When you first introduce treats to your chickens, you should start in a small portion.
Too much food can make chickens lethargic and can even cause digestive problems.
Once the chickens have become used to your presence and recognize you as a source of treats, you can gradually increase the amount of treats you give them.
It’s also important to provide the treats in a consistent manner.
Chickens may take a while to warm up to you, so it’s best to offer treats at the same time every day.
Doing this will help your chickens to build trust and recognize that you are a reliable source of treats.
Finally, it’s important to remember that treats should not be the only thing you feed your chickens.
Treats should only be a small part of a balanced diet for your chickens.
Make sure you also provide your chickens with their regular feed and any additional supplements they may need.
By providing your chickens with treats, you will be able to build a close bond with them and they will be more likely to come to you to spend time with you.
With patience and a gentle approach, you can soon establish a friendly relationship with your chickens and they will look forward to your visits.
Give Them a Safe and Comfortable Environment
Creating a safe and comfortable environment for your chickens is key to getting them to like you.
To make your flock feel secure, you should provide them with plenty of space to roam, shelter from the elements, and protection from predators.
Make sure their coop is well-ventilated, and keep it clean and free of debris.
You can also give them access to areas of your yard where they can forage for food, such as grass and weeds, as well as any food scraps you may have.
Additionally, its important to provide them with a dust bath to help keep their feathers clean and healthy.
A dust bath can be easily created by using a shallow container filled with clean sand or soil.
You should also provide them with a variety of toys to keep them entertained and mentally stimulated.
Providing your chickens with a safe and comfortable environment will ensure that they are happy and healthy, and will help to create a strong bond between you and your flock.
Never Approach When They Are Sleeping or Eating
When it comes to getting chickens to like you, one of the most important steps you can take is to never approach them when they are sleeping or eating.
Chickens are naturally skittish creatures and they often interpret sudden movements or loud noises as a threat.
If you approach chickens when they are sleeping or eating, they may become scared and run away, or worse, become aggressive.
You should also avoid any sudden movements, such as raising your arms or clapping, as this may cause the chickens to become startled.
Instead of approaching the chickens when they are sleeping or eating, spend some time observing them from a distance.
This will allow you to get familiar with their habits and behaviors.
If the chickens sense that you are not a threat, they will become more relaxed and comfortable with your presence.
You can also talk to them in a gentle, friendly voice.
This will help to build trust and make the chickens feel safe and secure.
Once the chickens are used to your presence, you can slowly start to approach them.
You can do this by offering them treats and speaking to them in a calm, soothing manner.
Be sure to move slowly and deliberately, and never make sudden movements or loud noises.
If the chickens sense that you are a friend, they will eventually become more comfortable with you and even look forward to your visits.
With patience and a gentle approach, you can soon establish a friendly relationship with your chickens and they’ll look forward to your visits.
Patience and a Gentle Approach
When it comes to chickens, patience and a gentle approach are essential for building a successful relationship.
It takes time for chickens to get used to new people, so it’s important to give them plenty of space and not rush the process.
Talk to them in a soft voice, and avoid making sudden movements.
Spend time around them, but dont try to touch them.
As they become more comfortable with your presence, you can slowly start offering them treats.
This will help them to associate you with positive experiences, making them more likely to want to be around you.
Additionally, it’s important to never approach chickens when they are sleeping or eating, as this can cause them to become scared and defensive.
With patience and a gentle approach, you can soon establish a friendly relationship with your chickens and they’ll look forward to your visits.
Final Thoughts
By following these steps and taking a patient and gentle approach, you can easily get chickens to like you and even look forward to your visits.
Show your chickens respect and kindness, provide them with treats, and talk to them in a soft voice.
With a bit of effort, you’ll be able to establish a friendly relationship with your feathered friends.
So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start introducing yourself to your chickens!