Ok, lets talk a bit about how you get your chicks to bond with you.
Right now I am not working so I have plenty of time to spend with my chicks.
First thing in the morning I open their cage and sit with a little feed in my hands.. the chicks climb all over me.. we talk.. they peck.. little Haily has decided it is her job to remove my freckle from my left wrist, after 4 days of this, there is quite the red welt going.
Later in the day we play soccer/keep away with the little glitter pompom... I laugh, they run... sometime later we find some sort of treat... "grown up" layer feed, maybe a slice of bread.. what ever.. (worms tomorrow, YUM) Oatmeal yesterday.. only ones to eat the warm oatmeal was the two little dogs. lol
Then in the evening, we all kind of just hang out and perch on fingers, toes.. pooping wherever.. again lol.
So, Have I turned into the crazy chicken lady.... My Pixel kitty is just happy I finally have something to distract me from her ^_^
Chick Bonding 101
Oooh, don't give them too much layer- it can
damage their kidneys. But, you did call it a treat..
I did lots of bonding with my chicks. My family did
start to call me chicken lady. Some friends here in
the Parking Lot started calling me chicken lady.
I gave my little chicks carnival rides in my hand..
I would pick them up between the legs and gently
rock them back and forth- it seemed they quieted
down a lot and enjoyed this. I can read the affection
you have for them, lucky chicks.:-)
owhhh... I will not give them anymore layer.. I really didn't give them much (in my defence) I have 16% for the cornish (dont want to eat them either) so I was using a palm full, not even a hand full, every 4 days or so.. divided amongst 27 chicks.. may the fastest chick eat the most... so I guess he who ends up with kidney desease wins??? ouch.. ok, really bad sense of non-humor... or so my kids say.
I am really enjoying them... big dog training is coming along so well.. he thinks its cool to have 27 chicks crawling and eating feed off him.. but can't hardly wait till I release him and he gets his fancy treat... a chicken beggen strip!
Yup, gotta love it when the pups are good to the
chicks. I think Durham may want to eat a quail, but
not sure about this. He is so protective of them,
though, I am not sure of his motives. He was the
first one to hear one had hatched, and ran into the
office where the bator is. Also, if someone makes
an unusual sound or seems in distress, he runs in.
He will sit and watch them what seems like forever.
Now that the chicken babies are free ranging, both my
dogs mingle with and ingore them, which is very good.
They could stay outside with them all day and no worries.
I can relate to the 'wry sense of humor! LOL
Wish my pups were that easy going! One of my springer spaniels has a great unhealthy interest in the chicks. Of course being a bird dog I can't blame her. But there won't be any bonding between them!! Now my shepard mix just loves all the animals! She licks the faces of the cows and pretty much just ignores the ducks and chicks.
I'm so glad someone does the same things with their chicks. I love bonding with mine too, although I think you have me beat!!! They grow up sooo fast, sniff, sniff!
Our chickens are so spoiled....thanks to my kids. They really do become part of the family.