Freys RTL

[Killerbunny]

You should check for mites etc anyway just in case

[chicken]

I checked each one as I took them out of the carrier, all clean. They look great but they just haven't been socialized at all. I guess that's what hatchery birds are like.

[Killerbunny]

Yes but they soon figure it out! Mine became very friendly.

[chicken]

Funny you mention it I just went out to give them fresh rain water and only 4 ran back to the corner, two stood and gave me a good look over lol. I gave them corn on the cob earlier lol

[lolotsung]

The chicks that my son played with were too friendly. He would lie at the bottom of 4x8 area in our garage I filled up with shavings then put a beach towel on top of himself for a barrier. When I walked out the door I would have a Belgium D'Uccle fly on my back or head then when I sat down an orpington on each arm and one in my lap. It's was too much. LOL. Also I was always worried I would step on one. My son's friend accidentally stepped on one (split it open) about 8 weeks old and we watch in horror as it died. Thankfully very quickly. I told them to shuffle their feet and don't step when near the chicks. His friend lost his balanced and fell backwards. My son was very angry at him. I was debating whether to let people near our chicks because there certainly is a risk that they get hurt but everyone loves chickens so much. I figure it's good for them to grow up loving them so they become friends of chickens and fight to make sure they are treated humanely as adults. His friend did not go near a chicken for years. Took alot of convincing to get him near a chicken again. He was terrified of stepping on one. Meal worms might make them friendlier...

[KimChick]

It seems to be working out for you so far. Talk to them and they will get to know your voice and your face. I have always also moved slowly around them so as not to startle them, even with opening laying box lids and curtains. They can be trained with a few simple things. My hens know to move away from my feet when I say, "Scuse me" because I've said it every time they are near my feet when I walk about. And they know, "Do you want to come out?" They would come running out of the barn, into their yard, and out the door to free range. They also know when we want them to get back into their yard; while herding them, we say, "In ya go". Although it doesn't work very well when they really don't want to, especially way before sunset. Pretty soon, they will come toward you when they see you coming. After all, you are the one with the food, and they being eternal optimists, are always looking for treats.
You will find what works for you and your hens.

[lolotsung]

I make a clucking sound but any sound would probably work and gave them treats. That way when I see a predator they run towards me and follow me right into the coop. I don't know how they know but they know that our family is here to protect them and its best to follow us into the coop. Sometimes they wander off to who knows where though...LOL..they were free ranging 5 acres...they are great at staying alive...we have hawks, weasels, raccoons, coyotes, fox, dogs, etc.. I'm still angry we lost a sweetheart belgium d'uccle who loved roosting on tree branches one night (we thought she was inside the coop) she and another sweetheart always hungry lavendar orpington when we forgot to lock the coop one night. They both followed me everywhere like puppies. It's tough to be perfect every night for years and years.. People make mistakes...I tried to teach them to fly on to my hand and it kind of worked. Some would do it and some would not. We had a cochin and once I started digging well he would dig too. He would dig and dig. I think he thought that we were playing the digging game and he was looking for whatever I was looking for. Assuming I must be digging for some juicy worms. LOL. I would sit in a chair and watch him dig and dig. He would keep digging for hours. The other chickens left and thought...there they go again...playing the digging game..LOL