How to Tame a Baby Chicken

Taming a baby chicken is similar to taming a baby bird of another species. It takes patience, treats and time. Even though chickens are not as flighty as other birds like finches, they require gentle handling. Just like with dogs and cats, you can train chickens using positive reinforcement to accept handling and begin to enjoy it. Some chickens become tame to the point where they enjoy being held like babies.

Things You'll Need

  • Meal worms
  • Paper towel or small board
  • Brooder
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Instructions

    • 1

      Lay nutritious treats such as meal worms down on a paper towel or a small board and place the towel or board on the floor of the brooder. Sometimes, baby chicks do not recognize that something is a treat. By placing treats on the floor for them to explore and discover how delicious they are, you are getting them used to treats. Continue giving them daily treats until you see the chicks come running to them when you set it down.

    • 2

      Place the treats in the palm of your hand and rest your hand, palm open, on the brooder floor. Be patient and wait for the boldest of the baby chicks to come up and explore. Be as still as possible and exude calmness. Once one baby chick discovers that your hand is safe and holds treats, the other chicks will come and explore too.

    • 3

      Move your hands slightly once the baby chicks are comfortable coming to it for treats. If the chicks do not move away, reward them by keeping your hand still so they can get a treat.

    • 4

      Lift your hand by 1 inch when the chicks are comfortable staying on your hand. If the chicks do not get scared, reward them by lowering your hand to the brooder floor again. Repeat this until you can lift your hand all the way out of the brooder with the chicks staying calm the whole time.

    • 5

      Reach gently and slowly towards the baby chicks to pet them and to pick them up. Do this for just a few seconds at first. Only release them when they are calm in your hand. Stroke them gently on their heads and bodies. Gently lift up the wings and play with their toes. Reward calm behavior with freedom and treats.