5-second trick to bond with your chicks!

Do you want to raise tame chicks? Or do you just hate when your chicks act so afraid of you anytime you need to pick them up or handle them? Then try this super easy, almost magical 5-second trick!
How to raise sweet roosters (Start young!) - • How to raise sweet roo...
00:00 When your chicks are terrified of you
01:33 The 5-second trick to calm chicks
02:25 Using the trick for bonding
03:30 Using the trick to calm scared adult chickens
04:09 How to do the trick properly (Don't stare!)
04:58 Using the trick to tame young chicks
06:15 Using the trick to tame feisty cockerels

[@katemiller6567]

how bizarre...been doing this, but did NOT know it was the reason most of them aren't afraid of me. Honestly, just like looking into their eyes, so adorable! Thanks for the video, God bless. :)

[@taracassidy2115]

I think it might just be a natural inherent mom thing. Because I do this too I always have, new animals, I mean a different species that I'm used to having, I usually watch intently to learn their normal and natural behavior for a while before I ever embark on the journey myself. That way I know the basics and how to communicate on a very base crude level. But if it applies to a child and a mother, I don't see why it would not apply to a chick and a mother. I think some people just have a natural patience for it cuz every single one of my chickens still comes to me when they're scared or upset, and every one of my chickens came to me the first day they laid an egg confused and hurting not understanding what was happening, they thought out their mama and stuck by my side until I sat with them and call him to them through it and now most of them still lay their eggs in my bed every morning because of it. I think some people just have a natural knack for It While others need to really learn that natural knack just like anything else in life

[@khaliahdhaynenava2100]

Well my first chick died she / he was dyed purple but she/he died now I got one again but they died..

[@RandomGachatuberLol]

I always snuggle with new chicks. Even an big chicken lets me how to pick her up :D Also this is very real, i do that to my adult chicken

[@someweird-asshuman6699]

I’ve only ever interacted with one baby chicken, she was brought to me by the lunch lady at my school. She brought her to me because she knew that I know how to care for chickens and she trusted me, and when i first got the baby she was so terrified. I just held her with both hands, lifted her above my head and let her look down at me, we made eye contact and since then we were best friends. I have some baby chickens hatching in just a few days…. And I’m so excited to try this trick on a group of babies rather than just one sweetie pie. Her name is Pepito because she was always very small, so i called her “Pepito-Poquito”

[@ajhuizar-si8oc]

My chicken swung at my eye

[@elizabethhogan777]

Great tip, this is what I do too. Additionally my mom taught me many years ago, slow long cat’s blink means “I trust you”. Sometimes it takes two slow blinks before a chick reciprocates. It takes 3 to calm a trapped dove in the coop (they come in and get too fat to leave). Try it on your hens. They will take turns slow blinking until they shut their eyes and only peek out a sliver of an eye to make sure you know they love U more;)

[@user-ol9kv4xi8t]

I have had chicks and ducks all of my life , I have always started picking them up as soon as they hatch. I have the best chickens and a rooster that has been as tame as can be. No matter the animal or bird you have play with them as soon as possible. They make great friends

[@lidip8700]

YES! Eye contact but also make a noise that you want them to identify you by. Every time you give them a treat (organic plain yogurt is really yummy), make that noise & eye contact. You'll find they seek your eye contact for life. Also, after they're fully grown, I teach them i want them to come to me when they hear me rattle scratch in a coffee can. (I reward them coming to me with scratch.) This can be a life saver if they're in danger.

[@kimreed5160]

Love this too thank you! I have one week old chicks and they are still definitely scared.

[@themarvelousmrsmeigs8821]

I’m getting my first 4 chicks in a little under 2 weeks and this video, and the video where you talk about imprinting, has answered so many questions!

[@pattikemp-gettmann9646]

I did that with my chickens and if you look at the pupils they get big and small while you eye contact with them

[@thefeatherbrain]

That's called "eye flashing" or "eye pinning!" I have a short explanation article about that here - www.thefeatherbrain.com/blog/chicken-eye-pinning

[@thepetsgarden1487]

Love it when people do videos like this. Love you videos.

[@ruby7741]

Thank you for your video's my daughter and I have done this imprinting and bonding without even knowing the hows but just felt the need to comfort them. We ended up with 2 rosters one is super in love with my daughter and is what I like to call the prince and the other is the king and he is more protective and sometimes tries us meaning attacking. He only got me once but I figure it's a protector kinda thing and he was doing it when I picked up one of his girls at about 5 months old. He doesn't do it any more but he still does challenge me. The other Roster Kara who we named thinking was a girl is so sweet and does this little happy dance for my 10 yr old daughter every time he sees her. Even tho he loves his hens he has this thing for my daughter and it's really cute to see. :)

[@thefeatherbrain]

Thanks for sharing - I love to hear these sweet rooster stories. :)

[@jillsmith3128]

i love you ruby the best parent in the world thank you for getting me roosters! (( and hens too can't forget my baby girls :] ))

[@jillsmith3128]

@@thefeatherbrain love your vids im very close to ruby so when she showed me this wow!

[@jenniferlahti536]

I had a Buff Orpington, bought as a female, but after a few months, surprise! A rooster in the house! LOL His name was Tucker & he was the most loving rooster I've ever had. Your daughter's sounds as if he's also a docile, loving guy like my Tucker was. 😊

[@GlowBean_Studios]

This surprising worked! I bonded with Lavender (She's a 2 1/2 month old delaware) quite easily! She even lets me do health checks on her, she tolerates getting picked up then I give her pets as a reward saying her name as well! Thank you for this advice!

[@TearDrop455]

I get my first ever chicks in a few weeks. So glad I came across your videos, thank you sooo much 🥰

[@royaltalessussexfairytales884]

Just found you, and am binging. Such great advice!

[@blueraven2345]

So cool, just love it. You really are the chicken whisperer. ❤️

[@Louise-xr5ok]

I am going to try this tomorrow , thank you

[@Atomsplitter69]

Love all the chicken addicts here 😂 Found your video today, love it.

[@MosaicHomestead]

I got 8 test chicks, I have never raised baby chicks, I usually let momma hen do that, will try some of these tricks.

[@thefeatherbrain]

Mama hens are better mamas than we could ever be - or caretakers, you don't seem the "mama" type :) I don't actually have any hens I'd trust with chicks in my flock.

[@MosaicHomestead]

@@thefeatherbrain Your right, im not the momma type...but for some weird reason, animals trust me, I've had mangrove turtles just come up to me and even a shark just non aggressively approach me, the pig that pops up in my videos is a wild pig, he just comes up to me like he was a pet, I also noticed my new baby chicks are not really afraid of me.

[@thefeatherbrain]

@@MosaicHomestead I wish I had that gift.

[@MosaicHomestead]

@@thefeatherbrain it's a doctor Doolittle thing lol, my aunt's dog loves me more than her, also follows commands lol...she's disturbed by that.

[@Foxnfablesewing]

This seems so intuitive to me. I was just wondering the other day why people typically keep their chicks on the floor and look from above when you can’t really see them that way.

[@elizat.3484]

So cute, I love bonding with baby chicks . One of the best things in the world for me

[@Abdur_Rasheed]

Good video

[@mercedescoles7179]

Thank you. Our first set of 3 have been a blessing from the start but we just got 7 more and boy 3 seem terrified and 1 is coming along to trust and be calm. Then there 2 that I have a connection with. I'm sure my excited little kids make it hard sometimes. So I'm gonna try this. Thank you

[@robynkalnins7349]

Worked like charm with one of my most hostile and flighty chickens. Captured her in a dog crate. She made a big fuss when I was grabbing her but as soon as I made eye contact, it was all over. After I got done putting on her apron I held and talked to her for a few more minutes, let go of her and she didn't dash. Just sat on my lap relaxing and looking at me. Amazing. Thanks for this!

[@Mr_Pug6]

I have 9 chicks right now, lost one in transit, praying for no pasty butt and that they all make it!

[@xroyalxbloodx2619]

Omg My chicks Just run like hell When I wanna Check on Them and They suddenly cooled down And I am still Shocked that this works and Right They are sleeping on my lap after a check😍😘 Adorable!! Thanks so so much This REALLY REALLY helped me!!

[@tarajane2002]

I've had my two chicks for about three weeks and they are so scared of me, I will definitely try bonding with your tips.

[@SamLindsey-ti7lt]

We hatched 4 chicks two days ago. I just thought they saw us as their mother because they seem so calm and even hop into our hands. Maybe it's because I talked to them for the full day they were in the incubator and looked them all in the eyes.

[@thefeatherbrain]

Sounds like they imprinted on you! Chicks are hardwired to imprint on a caretaker in the first 1-2 days of life - if you're lucky enough to have them imprint, they're pretty much tame for life and will always love you. :)

[@codycordova7478]

Ohhh I know this feeling very well .. also yes with grown chickens it’s either a big to do to pick the mature hens up, or they let me

[@abanrasa]

Thank you so much you deserve a sub : )

[@betz6507]

I hand feed cut up meal worms and talk/sing to them. I also pick them up and hand feed the meal worms (like mamma bird feeding chick in nest). My chicks come running when they see my. My big girls come when I call them and I make sure to give them treats as a reward. My big girls I didn't spead as much time with picking them up, they don't enjoy it. My new baby batch spending time to pick them up and feed, so it's a pleasant thing.

[@leandrinel7832]

I am 11 and i have been taking care of chicks for 3 years but i only took care of them if their moms dont want them and i have 2 new chicks i will bring them in the house in 2 days because they were just born but thanks for the video it will really help and yes my parents help me sometimes ❤

[@SpongeAddict-gw6mo]

I owned before they liked me but these new four I got didn’t until I started her trick and boom. They are in the chicken coop now when I come to greet them they jump on me and relax and let me pet them. They purr I make sure that I lock eyes with each one from the side during and I never had more bonded chickens 🐓 ever. I cannot thank you enough

[@Matpat621]

I did the same and it worked 😊

[@codycordova7478]

But yes the connection is awesome

[@user-uq4dx6hk3k]

Thanks! Gonna try this on my chikck

[@dedikfarm1128]

thank you sis, the information is very useful for me,, best regards, greetings of friendship from Indonesia

[@DawnDBoyerPhD]

I needed this - just became a first time chicken mama of five biddies

[@morrisbroom6403]

I bought 4 guineas keets and one was going crazy on the other ones toes, it was really bad and after breaking them up a few times I was scared she was going to do permanent damage so I picked her up and brought her up to eye level she instantly calmed down and I told her I need her to stop eating toes or I would be forced to put her butt outside and she could see how good keets do alone and outside I put her back in her brooder and never had that problem again.

[@sharaa5614]

Love your videos, I wish I’d found you earlier!

[@alliexd6999]

My quail got even more scared when I did this. They are about 6 weeks old and screamed for the first time in 3 weeks.

[@jennifergolly1947]

I feel like quail just hate everything. They hate us, they hate each other... all the things. Not really a lovey bird?

[@srennielsen6641]

Insead of just grabing Them u should let Them come to u an hens love food so they are pretty easy to handle. At the School i am in there is some chiks and i tamed them after a Long time with so every day they Will come running to me and jump up themself.

[@c_alaia]

Oxytocin would explain this connection 🥰 It is released whenever you stare lovingly (and it must obviously be a genuine form of love that you feel when you do stare) into their eyes (whether it be chickens, dogs, cats, a newborn child etc). Women (females) produce 400% more oxytocin than men - and this is understandable since it is this chemical that is active during giving birth, triggering lactation and of course it's role in bonding. (🤔 Maybe this is also the reason - I have heard - that most dogs will be significantly less aggressive to strangers who are women than men?) Anyway I went off on a slight tangent there 🤭 - I love this vid, *so beautiful* !! 😍😍

[@saltlifegull4091]

Dang, she's that beautiful with NO makeup. Awesome info, so valuable. I've incubated for years and never thought of any of this. Now I just feel guilty:( She's the new-born chick master!

[@thefeatherbrain]

You're so nice - thank you! ... Don't feel guilty (although I feel guilty too for my earlier chickens, when I didn't know these things either). Really, nobody in the backyard chicken world is talking about this stuff. I am constantly trying to learn more (often through the academic research, followed by testing on my own birds), and then share what I learn, so these things can become common knowledge. Thanks again for your kind words! Best, Bri

[@crystalo3550]

Just got some silkies there about almost 3 weeks old and are very terrified of me 😞

[@SundryTalesOfConstance79WESTY]

Nooice! 😎 STOC

[@jedanysuarez1072]

my chicks are a week old now this still does work ? it’s never to late as of right now ?

[@thefeatherbrain]

Yes, give it a try.

[@abnewgemchoice1699]

I'm watching your videos to make sure my baby ain't feeling lonely, I don't want to put her back with her mama hen because she's too weak compared to the other chicks and she always fall behind, the weather is not good as well she might drown in a puddle

[@thefeatherbrain]

Chicks hate to be alone - they're super social. Spend as much time with her as you can. So kind of you to care for her.

[@SpongeAddict-gw6mo]

It’s true

[@genegene3348]

I wonder if i could just make a hood like falconers use to keep their birds calm?

[@thefeatherbrain]

No clue, but if you do try that, please let me know how it goes! :)

[@valiasa-di6hr]

Be very careful for them to not peck you on the eyes

[@bar24mp]

Been trying this for about a week and it hasn't helped at all. I have 6 Brahma's, got them at 4 days old, they are now two weeks old and scared to death every time I get anywhere near them. They have been eating out of my hand but it doesn't seem to have helped in getting them to feel safe.

[@adlergizinski7234]

❤❤❤❗

[@whitewolf9088]

My hand raised rooster loves clambering onto any chairs I'm sitting on or my shoulders so he can put his face in mine and stare.

[@thefeatherbrain]

It's amazing how special it can feel when a chicken chooses to gaze into your eyes. :)

[@nano7055]

I bought one chick and she wants to hug me and squeeze herself in 🥹 I searched in google and found nothing about this, she likes humans and when she hugs and gets comfortable she still squeaks till i breath🥹 i dont like to get off i put a teddy bear for her🥲 what does this mean and how can I communicate with her better? And firstly is this normal lol, thank u

[@Redeemed7777]

I wear safety glasses least they peck my eye like the rooster did the neighbor girl.. or maybe it was her lip; however, I have seen my hens peck each other's eyes so I have never wanted to take that risk .. have you had any near-misses?

[@thefeatherbrain]

I've found that young chickens can be very interested in eyes. They go through a stage where they peck at everything, and the more they trust you, the more likely they are to peck you in the face. I wouldn't advise getting in a grown rooster's face at all unless you know he's tame. They can be biters. I've never met a rooster I couldn't tame, but they do require caution. The amount of protection you need to wear will depend on how tame the rooster is. When I work to tame ultra-aggressive roosters, I actually start out wearing a brush cutter helmet to protect my whole face. I also wouldn't recommend kids getting near any chicken's face as kids aren't as good at picking up the chicken's body language. If you're worried about getting pecked in the eye but would still like to try working with your chickens, I recommend wearing glasses or goggles.

[@Redeemed7777]

@@thefeatherbrain thank you for the information, I will leave the rooster be for now, he has not come after me [only fluffed his neck feathers at me]; however, this year I got two new hens.. a Black Orpington and a black sex link. Sadly, the RIR's are not mixing well with them so they are now very skittish.. and peck really hard! Slowly they are learning to let me pick them up but I'm the skittish one now! LOLROTF!👓

[@Roses6858]

Any tips on doing this with like 1or so week old chicks? I've got the little one who would run around when someone else or I would try to pick her up, so much so she almost bites. She also runs around when someone else or I try to pet her too. She's alright with sleeping close to me in her chick cage or following me in a coop (Guessing they see me as one quater as a mum) but never liked to be picked up or touched. Unless it's something I have to get her used to

[@thefeatherbrain]

Just spend a lot of time with them. At 1-week old, their fear levels are naturally very high. In nature, they are starting to travel a bit further from mom and it's imperative for their survival that they fear everything that moves (except mom, who they're imprinted on). Give them time - weeks or months - and they're likely to start getting tamer.

[@Roses6858]

@@thefeatherbrain okay, thank you

[@SpongeAddict-gw6mo]

I’m trying with my ducks it’s kinda working they are more difficult in nature

[@lidip8700]

Where's the video on taming roosters? I don't see it linked in the Description.

[@thefeatherbrain]

Sorry! It's there now. And here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4Krf36VYt1-qtk

[@lidip8700]

Much appreciated. Thank you! 😉

[@barbarawalker3620]

😉❤👍

[@AllyGrace-kv6kz]

Is it ok to handle them when they r new born or a few days old

[@thefeatherbrain]

Yes. If you get them when they're really young (days 1-2 of life, during the imprinting period), they'll desperately want to be touched. Of course, wash your hands before handling them and wash your hands again after handling them.

[@sami5234]

I have 3 chik

[@petfunwitheliza]

can you teach me how to break up my chicks when they fight please?

[@STORMYOO76]

when my chick was listening it just stopped im like chick whisperer?

[@Damselfly54315]

😂🤣😂I have a rooster that I make straight on eye contact with that is a bully, he's going to freezer camp if he doesn't become cat food first...lol, he's a mean one, and I wont tolerate mean Roos, PERIOD! I talk softly ALL the time, even with bad boy, and I've told him if he doesn't behave he's cat food! First chicken I ever saw get a wild look in his eyes...hes definitely not a keeper! I ended up with 8 extra Roos, only had hoped for a couple but that makes 9 Roos,in a flock of 33 and boy they are hard on my hens AND ITS JANUARY! but they were born in August so guess they are teens and have raging hormones, but I have ALL these hens getting pounced on CONSTANTLY, so looking into hen saddles, HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT IS THE RIGHT SIZE cuz they are not all the same size...HELP!

[@NikoDaBull94]

Its called IMPRINTING if no one has said in the comments but im sure they have its how you also bond with wild animals food water more food then eye contact while giving food. Food is the way to most creatures hearts because unlike humans and domesticated animals wikd animals literally hunt and kill or eat veggies and fruit or they starve

[@keyboardoracle1044]

Mine are terrified of me until I let them out of their brood box, then they are scared to leave my side,

[@Guidingsonar]

due to my birds (Budgies, a type of parakeet) I learned to show my trust to chicks by doing eye contact, then closing my eyes.. They apper to not really know how to respond to that. As you know chickens, do any of your chickens have a reacton to it, whether doing it to each other or when you do it to them?

[@thefeatherbrain]

That's interesting - I've never looked out for that. This is something that Budgies do to indicate trust? I'll have to look more into this.

[@cryhavoc196]

My chickens are quick to peck eyes

[@thefeatherbrain]

Yes, they definitely go through that stage. I recommend glasses or goggles when your chicks are in that stage.

[@hopecritical-ops5554]

I just tried this with my chick and his pupil became bigger

[@agitatedplumber4007]

Are u worried the chick might peck your eyes?

[@akielbruce5043]

I tried that and nealy got my I picked out woman you make me get scared of all dem

[@thefeatherbrain]

Try wearing glasses or goggles

[@bako495]

My 1month old rouster just beat my 15 old chicken. Chicken is like 7x bigger

[@alicelong8122]

Eye contact didn’t work for me. I’ve done this several times and it hasn’t worked.

[@Lilybitch85]

That's because it's not a thing 😂. They look when they're curious or interested. They aren't going to look at you just because you look at them a certain way. Notice how her chickens freaked out when she walked up to them. She's a weirdo.

[@americanpatriot7247]

@@Lilybitch85 Well, my my Ma'am, aren't you nice. I have been doing this and it Does work. As a matter of fact my chicks call me and run to the front of their brooder where I stand when I make a kissing sound and talk gently to them. I have 4 eleven day old, now, Easter Eggers, and 4 four day old Barnavelders. This eye contact and gentle handling has been working fine. These are my first chickens ever. Try listening again to her video. Have a good one.

[@CalamityJAD3]

FYI chickens are very smart and can remember/ recognize 100 human faces. They do indeed get to know (& know the difference) of who you are ❤️ 🐣. PS as hatchlings, I’ve found (maybe by chance/ temp/ neck vein/pulse) they love n feel comfortable hiding under my hair, neck just under my head area & I talk to them calmly. Their little fast high pitched voices are happy and the louder longer sounds usually mean they seem to be frightened in the moment. It’s so amazing.

[@CnPCarruthers]

Just don't put your mouth near them b/c salmonella. I would do eye contact at a bit of a distance

[@thefeatherbrain]

That's one school of thought... I follow a different school of thought, that if we raise them humanely in conditions that AREN'T overcrowded like factory farms, this is much less of an issue (if at all). But poultry scientists (who work within factory farms) will agree with you.

[@gavel8888]

I do not want to connect emotionally with my food. then they trust me and I kill them.

[@katiekatchmark8074]

This is more for chicks used for eggs/pets

[@gavel8888]

@@katiekatchmark8074 What do you do with them after they stop giving eggs?

[@yehomasso3538]

@@gavel8888 many people choose to continue to give them a comfortable, loving life in gratitude for the sustenance they provided for multiple years ❤

[@jenniferlahti536]

​@Yusha Masso yessss!! I tell people a lot that I'm running both an egg farm & a "senior living retirement village" for my older girls! Like you, I could never unalive any of them because I grow attached to all. I've got 18 full-grown hens & 13 4-week old chicks currently. 😊

[@mark98115]

My mom's friend has a few chickens and calls two that stopped laying eggs "retirees". Even after they stopped laying, chickens are beneficial. They eat insects and if you have a garden, they make great fertilizer.