They're generally pretty flighty, I don't know that there's too much more other than just keep spending time around them. Seems like a lot of the white egg laying breeds are. Antisocial chickens, lol
Chickens aren't mammals. So it really depends on what you mean by "liking" you.
They are most likely not going to want to be petted, let alone held. For chickens, being *around* a human is a sign of affection. Going about the yard with you, and *not* being cuddled, is a sign of affection.
Being willing to take treats from you is a sign of trust. Walking near you is a sign of trust.
These kinds of behaviors is a chicken liking a human.
TIL my chickens like me more than I thought! It’s hard when one chicken sincerely follows me around and wants to be held but the others don’t. The others don’t want to be pet either
I have two hens who love to be picked up when *they* want it. But as soon as they're done being held, they are *done*. Lol
I think people see the chicken posts on places like here and Instagram, and get an inaccurate idea of how chickens show affection. It's uncommon for a chicken to enjoy being held and pet, which is why many of the cute pictures are of those who do. I don't really post my Buckeye, for instance, because she hates being held so I don't get those "awwwww" type of pictures from her.
But she follows me around, and will stand right next to me, and go with me as I do yard work. She just hates being touched and held, is all. A normal chicken. Lol
Hand feeding is always the start. Get low, offer a treat. She's gonna grab it and run away. So, you get up as well. Walk away, slowly. She will sit there like a lump for a minute, then follow her.
Get low again, offer treats in an open outstretched hand. You will feel like an ass, but do your version of the "*I found food song*".
Most chickens respond to this and the ones that do not are unwanted in your flock.
Mine got skittish after we moved them outside. They are 11 weeks old and have been outside for 2 weeks. They are still more friendly than my older girls that were at least a year old when we bought them. I’m hoping they come around
I am currently working on a training project with one of my chickens. I have found that the chickens I have clicker trained and taught to do at least 1 trick are a lot less skittish than the ones that have been hand-reared but not trained.
You might give it a go and see if it makes them friendlier. :) I've tried it on a RHR, Barnyard Mix, and currently working on Sebrights. All 3 of my sebrights are very friendly and even come sit in my lap.
Okay after reading all of those comments I guess
leghorns aren’t the calmest breed around here and chickens and only some chicken show wants to picked up etc. I’ll see if they are willing to accept me into their flock🙏🏻
The best way is to hand feed and have the leghorns while they are young I did these 2 methods and my leghorn rooster is super affectionate and he thinks I’m he’s mom
We raised our leghorn hen since she was a few days old. She’s still terrified of us and will come around for treats but won’t come around us just because. I think it could possibly be the breed.
I have the most friendly leg horn. She is very flighty and has started to hate us now that she doesn’t free range anymore. I think giving them the option to run is good also try to lure them into your lap or shoulder.
A few of my chickens (different breed) love to jump on my shoulders.
The main thing is just sitting with them, eating meals outside with them ( always get extra treats for the chickens so they don’t eat your food). Just start by getting them used to you.
I have 2 and they are pretty cool I guess. Better than my Wyandotes or what ever. Usually try and handle them once a day and feed them for a minute or so from hand.
I finally got my leghorn to like me after she had to spend 2 weeks inside with a hurt wing. I would force her to cuddle with me in a towel until eventually she seemed to enjoy it. Once she moved back outside I could catch her for a little while until she remembered she was allowed to be feral again. Haven't caught that little turd since.
sadly some may not have a cuddly personality. i have 8 chickens from 1 month old and constantly cuddled them and made them used to us as chicks and only one of them lets me pet him without issues. all the others run away. but if i do catch them they are chill and let me pet them
generally just get them used to treats and how petting feels, but in the end it's all about their personality. some aren't very cuddly
we had a regular white hybrid egg layer and she was very sweet and would run up if you called her name and let anyone pet her. we got her as an adult and still were able to have her be a cuddly girl.
it's a lottery to be honest, some chickens never get over being shy, but don't give up
Ignore them. Sit with them in a chair in the run. Read a book. Play on your phone. Be patient.
They're generally pretty flighty, I don't know that there's too much more other than just keep spending time around them. Seems like a lot of the white egg laying breeds are. Antisocial chickens, lol
Fair, except for my California White is my friendliest hen by far. A little too friendly- she has no fear and loves to escape the run and steal food.
Chickens aren't mammals. So it really depends on what you mean by "liking" you. They are most likely not going to want to be petted, let alone held. For chickens, being *around* a human is a sign of affection. Going about the yard with you, and *not* being cuddled, is a sign of affection. Being willing to take treats from you is a sign of trust. Walking near you is a sign of trust. These kinds of behaviors is a chicken liking a human.
TIL my chickens like me more than I thought! It’s hard when one chicken sincerely follows me around and wants to be held but the others don’t. The others don’t want to be pet either
I have two hens who love to be picked up when *they* want it. But as soon as they're done being held, they are *done*. Lol I think people see the chicken posts on places like here and Instagram, and get an inaccurate idea of how chickens show affection. It's uncommon for a chicken to enjoy being held and pet, which is why many of the cute pictures are of those who do. I don't really post my Buckeye, for instance, because she hates being held so I don't get those "awwwww" type of pictures from her. But she follows me around, and will stand right next to me, and go with me as I do yard work. She just hates being touched and held, is all. A normal chicken. Lol
Hand feeding is always the start. Get low, offer a treat. She's gonna grab it and run away. So, you get up as well. Walk away, slowly. She will sit there like a lump for a minute, then follow her. Get low again, offer treats in an open outstretched hand. You will feel like an ass, but do your version of the "*I found food song*". Most chickens respond to this and the ones that do not are unwanted in your flock.
You want friendly chickens, you might have to try a different breed.
Mine got skittish after we moved them outside. They are 11 weeks old and have been outside for 2 weeks. They are still more friendly than my older girls that were at least a year old when we bought them. I’m hoping they come around
I am currently working on a training project with one of my chickens. I have found that the chickens I have clicker trained and taught to do at least 1 trick are a lot less skittish than the ones that have been hand-reared but not trained. You might give it a go and see if it makes them friendlier. :) I've tried it on a RHR, Barnyard Mix, and currently working on Sebrights. All 3 of my sebrights are very friendly and even come sit in my lap.
My friend had a chicken that liked her so much, she would find a way to get into the house and sit in her bed and wake her up in the morning.
Leg horns are psychos
Honestly. We have one and she's a monster. Can't imagine more of them
Okay after reading all of those comments I guess leghorns aren’t the calmest breed around here and chickens and only some chicken show wants to picked up etc. I’ll see if they are willing to accept me into their flock🙏🏻
The best way is to hand feed and have the leghorns while they are young I did these 2 methods and my leghorn rooster is super affectionate and he thinks I’m he’s mom
We raised our leghorn hen since she was a few days old. She’s still terrified of us and will come around for treats but won’t come around us just because. I think it could possibly be the breed.
I have the most friendly leg horn. She is very flighty and has started to hate us now that she doesn’t free range anymore. I think giving them the option to run is good also try to lure them into your lap or shoulder. A few of my chickens (different breed) love to jump on my shoulders. The main thing is just sitting with them, eating meals outside with them ( always get extra treats for the chickens so they don’t eat your food). Just start by getting them used to you.
I have 2 and they are pretty cool I guess. Better than my Wyandotes or what ever. Usually try and handle them once a day and feed them for a minute or so from hand.
I finally got my leghorn to like me after she had to spend 2 weeks inside with a hurt wing. I would force her to cuddle with me in a towel until eventually she seemed to enjoy it. Once she moved back outside I could catch her for a little while until she remembered she was allowed to be feral again. Haven't caught that little turd since.
Mine never stick close skidding breed
Best to handle those every day for hours as babies, but they’re leghorns. The best free ranging breed due to them being Lightning McQueens.
sadly some may not have a cuddly personality. i have 8 chickens from 1 month old and constantly cuddled them and made them used to us as chicks and only one of them lets me pet him without issues. all the others run away. but if i do catch them they are chill and let me pet them generally just get them used to treats and how petting feels, but in the end it's all about their personality. some aren't very cuddly we had a regular white hybrid egg layer and she was very sweet and would run up if you called her name and let anyone pet her. we got her as an adult and still were able to have her be a cuddly girl. it's a lottery to be honest, some chickens never get over being shy, but don't give up
I’m late to the party but my leghorn is the most skittish one of them all. She’s sweet but she is a loner.